The main methods of floor insulation in the house. How to insulate a floor in the country: the better to insulate, a step-by-step process of insulating a floor with your own hands How to insulate floors in a private brick house

Cold air emanates from the ground, which is not able to hold the floor covering. And, as a result, 20% of the heat escapes from the room through the non-insulated floor. Owners of their own home, taking care of creating a comfortable microclimate in it, often ask themselves the question: how to insulate the floor in a private house?

Technological methods of thermal protection of a floor laid on a concrete base

The procedure is pretty straightforward, so you don't have to be a great craftsman. Do-it-yourself floor insulation in a private house can be done by an ordinary man, if he is not lazy.

In the beginning, let's decide - how to insulate the floors in a private house on a concrete base.

Do-it-yourself floor insulation from inside the room is performed using the following heat-insulating materials:

Styrofoam;
extruded polystyrene foam;

The concrete base is cleaned of dust, dirt and impregnated with a deep penetration primer. Cover with a waterproofing layer on top. A good waterproofing material is isospan, which is placed with the white side to the insulation, and the shiny side to the concrete.

Then the floor is insulated with polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene. Insulation sheets must be laid close to each other, connecting with grooved ends. The gaps are filled with special glue with pieces of insulation. The insulating layer is covered from above with a vapor barrier membrane.

Roofing material, polyethylene or foil film, the canvases of which are overlapped, are used as a vapor barrier layer. For tightness, the joints are glued with reinforced tape. The next stage of floor insulation in the house is laying a reinforced mesh and pouring a screed from cement mortar or concrete 100 mm thick. Further, decorative finishing is performed with linoleum, laminate or parquet.

Thermal protection of a wooden floor from the side of the room

Wood retains heat well. But this warmth of wooden floors is not enough if there is a basement under the house. Thermal insulation of a wooden floor in a private house can be done from inside the room using heat-insulating building materials, based on a natural component:

Mineral wool;
basalt wool.

First, they dismantle the existing finishing floor in the house and check the condition of the lag. If necessary, they are replaced or repaired. Then the logs are impregnated with bio and fire retardants. Bars are nailed between them, on which the cranial flooring of edged boards is laid. Before laying the insulation, on top of the flooring and the lag, lay an overlap of waterproofing material - a polyethylene film or roofing material, securing it with a construction stapler. The joints are sealed with an adhesive reinforced tape. Next, between the lags, insulation is laid with a layer thickness of 2 cm less than the height of the lag. This clearance is required for ventilation.

If the height of the lag is not enough, then a counter-rail is nailed along them, thus providing the necessary gap. Then the vapor barrier material is spread overlapping on the floor, with sealing of the joints with tape. Finished wooden floors are laid on top of the insulating "pie", fastening with nails to the logs.

Thermal protection of a wooden floor from the basement side

If the height of the basement allows, then from its side it is possible to perform thermal insulation of a wooden floor in a private house.

The technology of floor insulation in the house from the basement side consists of:

Preparation of wooden beams. They are examined, if necessary, they are repaired and impregnated with fire retardants and antiseptic compounds for wood.
Waterproofing devices. Cloths of polyethylene or foil film are attached with a construction stapler to the overlapping beams.
Insulation installation. Mineral or basalt wool mats are inserted into existing beams and secured with wooden slats or wire. It can be insulated with a cheaper synthetic material - foam. It is lightweight and easy to use.
Vapor barrier devices. The vapor barrier membrane is attached to the beams with a stapler, sealing all joints with reinforced adhesive tape. As a vapor barrier material, glassine, isospan, foil or plastic film are used.
Installation of rough flooring. A subfloor is arranged with an edged board from below, nailing it across the beams with nails.

It is not difficult to insulate a wooden floor in a private house from the basement side. All work can be done by hand.

Thermal protection of the floor located above the ground

How to properly insulate the floor in rooms that do not have a basement underneath, and at the same time not reduce the height of the ceiling?

If a subfloor is not provided under the floor, then it should be insulated from the outside during the construction stage. Under the part of the area of the house located above the ground, the bottom of the pit is leveled and compacted. A crushed stone base 25-30 cm thick is arranged on top, on the top of which a sand pillow (5-10 cm) is poured.

The made layer of sand is covered with overlapping sheets of polyethylene film, the seams are glued with reinforced tape. The device of a sealed layer of waterproofing is necessary to prevent seepage to the thermal protection of groundwater. Then the bulk insulation is laid - expanded clay or slab - extruded polystyrene foam (penoplex).

The thickness of the thermal insulation layer should be at least 15 cm. The foam plates are laid as tightly as possible to each other, the seams are filled with sealant, expanded clay is tamped. If we insulate with penoplex, then a waterproofing layer must be laid on top of the thermal insulation layer. Then the insulating layer is covered with a reinforced mesh and the screed is poured with cement mortar or concrete M200. After the rough rolling of the floors has dried, you can proceed to the device of the finishing coating.

Insulation of floors over an unheated room

For rooms located above an unheated room, you can insulate the floor of the house from inside the room.

What is the better and cheaper to perform thermal insulation on the interfloor overlap? It is better to insulate with a light building material - polystyrene, which has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity and does not accumulate moisture. Floor insulation begins with the dismantling of the existing flooring prior to the overlap. Then the floor is cleaned of dust, debris, leveled with a cement screed and covered with a primer with high adhesion. A wooden lattice frame is mounted on the surface of the floors. The cells are lined with polyethylene or foil film, the edges of which should go over the side surface of the timber. Polyfoam with a thickness of 50 mm is placed on the floor in the compartments of the frame, sealing the gaps with silicone glue with pieces of insulation.

The top is covered with a layer of a vapor barrier membrane, using methods to achieve tightness when laying its canvases. Further, under the finishing of the floor of a private house, a reinforced concrete screed is produced.

Polyfoam with a thickness of 50 mm is placed on the floor in the compartments of the frame, sealing the gaps with silicone glue with pieces of insulation.

Easy-to-use polystyrene foam can be used to cheaply insulate the floor with your own hands.

Thermal insulation of attic floors

By correctly insulating the attic floor, you can prevent heat loss through the ceiling without lowering its height inside the premises.

For thermal insulation of the attic floor in a private house, a natural-based insulation is used - mineral or fiberglass wool. A frame made of timber is mounted on the attic floor. The compartments are filled with a layer of waterproofing. Cloths of polyethylene film, glassine, foil or roofing material are laid with an overlap, attached to the frame with a construction stapler and the joints are sealed with double-sided adhesive tape. Insulation is placed on top of a bullet with elements of the frame cell.

A vapor barrier is performed on top. For the device of a vapor barrier layer, isospan, glassine, foil and plastic films are used. A vapor barrier membrane with one mirror surface is laid with the white side to the insulation, reflecting towards the room. There should be a gap of 3-5 cm between the insulation and the vapor barrier. The frame compartments are covered from above with fiber boards or a reinforced cement screed can be made.

For the device of a vapor barrier layer, isospan, glassine, foil and plastic films are used.

The attic floor can be protected against heat loss by bulk building materials. Bulk insulation - expanded clay or ecowool is poured into the compartments, having completed the necessary hydro and vapor barrier.

How to make an insulated attic floor with a liquid thermal insulation building material? Liquid insulation, polyurethane foam creates a continuous layer, without cracks and gaps. It is easily sprayed with a special tool and dries instantly. Under the laid polyurethane insulation, installation of hydro and vapor barrier layers is not required.

Many owners who have their own house, trying to make the floor warm with their own hands, are not familiar with the rules and regulations of thermal insulation work. Therefore, if you do not know how to properly insulate the floor, contact a specialist.

Floor insulation video:

The floor is the coolest surface in the room. Even at relatively warm temperatures, the floor can remain cold. There is nothing strange about this. Let's remember the laws of physics: cool air always goes down, and warm air goes up. But that's not all. The cold penetrates into the floors of our apartments through interpanel joints, corner cracks, damp basements. Up to 20-30% of the heat can escape from the room through a poorly insulated floor! At the same time, heating bills increase, but the rooms are still cold. In this case, it's time to start thinking about how to insulate the floors in the apartment. This will help reduce heat loss and create a more comfortable indoor climate.

Choosing an insulating material

The floor is insulated with materials with high thermal insulation properties, which prevent heat from escaping outside the room. For these purposes, the most popular are:

Bulk materials(expanded clay, wood concrete, shavings) - have good thermal insulation qualities, are relatively inexpensive;
Mineral wool and glass wool- effective in terms of heat and sound insulation, fireproof, not susceptible to infection by fungi and rodent attacks, hygroscopic (require mandatory vapor barrier);
Styrofoam and expanded polystyrene- materials are moisture resistant, not subject to deformation, do not ignite, poorly conduct heat, drown out sound noises.

It is impossible to say which of these materials is the best. You need to choose based on your financial capabilities and functionality of the insulated room.

Thermal insulation of a wooden base

The traditional method of insulation is to lay the selected type of heat insulator in the space between the joists.

The scheme of insulation of a wooden floor by logs

To do this, perform the following steps. The first step is to remove the old floor covering, open the floor. Lay a layer of vapor barrier, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene film. They unfold the material and lay the strips on top of the wooden floor frame, overlapping them by 15-20 cm. The joints are reliably insulated with special tape. When laying, put a vapor barrier film on the walls to a height of 3-5 cm.

Laying a vapor barrier film is necessary so that moisture does not penetrate into the insulation layer

Insulation is laid between the lags. When using expanded clay, it is evenly poured between the logs, leveling under one level with the rule. Sheet or roll insulation is laid close to the logs, without cracks.

Formation of an insulating layer of mineral wool

On top of the insulation (if mineral wool or glass wool was used), another layer of vapor barrier is created.

The second layer of vapor barrier protects the insulation from steam penetrating into the ceiling from the room

Expanded polystyrene is an affordable insulation that does not absorb moisture and is quite easy to install. You can read more about the use of such material in our article:.

Wooden boards, dense plywood, OSB or GVL sheets are laid on top of the insulated floor.

If necessary, mount the topcoat: laminate, parquet, linoleum, carpet, etc.

Insulation of a concrete floor

In most cases, the floors in the apartments of urban high-rise buildings are reinforced concrete slabs. The concrete floor itself is very cold, but if you add to this the gaps between the slabs, insufficiently tight joints between the walls and the floor, then it becomes truly icy. Therefore, the insulation of the concrete surface is a top priority for residents of multi-storey buildings who seek to increase the comfort in their apartments.

Each insulation craftsman deduces his own formula for an ideal insulating "pie" on concrete slabs. Let's consider the most popular of the possible options.

Option number 1 - insulation + screed

The thermal insulation properties of a concrete floor can be significantly improved by laying insulation between the floor slab and the cement leveling screed. In this case, the floor insulation in the apartment is performed as follows. The first step is to remove the old floor covering, remove the screed. The surface of the slab is cleaned of debris, dust, and irregularities from the remains of the cement screed are eliminated.

Warming the floor in the apartment using heat-insulating material and reinforced screed

Then vapor barrier is performed. A polyethylene or polypropylene film is laid on the concrete base, laying the strips with an overlap of 15-20 cm and leading 3-5 cm onto the walls. The overlap joints are insulated with special tape. A foam plastic with a minimum thickness of 50 mm and a density of 25 mm is laid on the vapor barrier film. Instead of foam, you can use expanded polystyrene, mineral wool, etc. Insulation sheets are laid as tightly as possible to each other so that cold bridges do not form in the seams. After that, another layer of vapor barrier is laid. If foam or expanded polystyrene was used as insulation, then this step can be skipped.

Now lay a metal mesh with square cells (cell side - 50-100 mm). The mesh will act as a frame for the cement screed, making it more durable. A cement screed with a minimum thickness of 50 mm is poured over the mesh. A thinner screed will be unreliable - after a while it will begin to crack and crumble. The cement screed should dry, which will take about two weeks. Then, to strengthen the top layer, it is necessary to cover it with a primer. After all this, any decorative coating is laid on the screed.

Expanded clay is well suited for insulation of concrete floors. You will learn how to use such insulation correctly in the material:.

Option number 2 - insulation along the logs, without the use of wet processes

This option is similar to the insulation of a wooden floor. The difference is that in the thickness of the wooden floor, logs are initially provided, between which it is convenient to lay any type of insulation. In the case of concrete floors, these logs will have to be designed independently.

Insulation of the concrete floor along the logs excludes wet processes and does not make the floor heavier

Concrete floor insulation technology on logs:

1. The first step is to clean the concrete slab from the old screed, debris and dust.

2. Arrange waterproofing. It is convenient to use ready-made waterproofing polymer-bitumen solutions, which are applied to the concrete surface with a roller or brush. Another option is to use a vapor barrier film for these purposes, which is laid overlapping on the floor, leading to the adjacent walls. If you want to save money, then the most acceptable material for waterproofing and vapor barrier will be ordinary plastic film.

3. Install the logs at a distance of no more than 0.9 m from each other, if you take a step more, the floors will bend. Instead of a lag, if it is supposed to use bulk material for insulation, metal beacons are attached to the floor.

Installation of wooden logs on a concrete floor

4. Lay the selected insulation. Both mineral wool and polystyrene, and any option of loose thermal insulation materials are suitable. Insulation in the form of sheets or rolls, unfolds tightly, without gaps between the lags. Loose material (for example, expanded clay) is poured between the beacons and leveled under one level with a metal rule.

5. Lay the floor. To do this, you can use sheets of plywood, gypsum fiber board, OSB, chipboard 10-15 mm thick. It is safer to lay them in two layers so that the seams of the lower sheets are overlapped by the panels of the upper sheets. Thus, the floor covering will be seamless, which eliminates the possibility of cold bridges. After laying, the layers of sheets are connected to each other and lags (beacons) using self-tapping screws.

Laying sheets of dense material (plywood, gypsum fiber board, etc.) on logs

6. Satisfy any finishing floor covering.

In a short video, you will be clearly shown the process of warming by lags:

Features of floor insulation by spraying

In addition to the above-described methods of insulation, there is another, professional, - spraying a thin layer of polyurethane foam (PPS) on the base of the floor. As a result, a monolithic, seamless surface with a thickness of 50-100 mm is formed on the floor. The technology of applying PPP involves the use of special equipment and some skills, so this work is only possible for specialists.

For spraying, high-pressure equipment is used, which allows you to apply the material to the floor in the form of an aerosol liquid. Within seconds, this liquid spray layer transforms into rigid polyurethane foam. The efficiency of the obtained heat-insulating layer surpasses any other heaters - the thermal conductivity of PPS is lower than that of mineral wool, foam, expanded clay, foam concrete, etc. In addition, polyurethane foam is absolutely moisture-resistant, so it does not need additional hydro and vapor insulation. This material does not require floor preparation before application, it is not damaged by rodents, does not rot, does not burn. The service life of the heat-insulating layer of EPS is estimated by the manufacturers of this material at 30-50 years.

Polyurethane foam is an effective way to create an insulating and waterproofing coating in an apartment

Alternative methods of insulation

If the heat loss through the floor is small, then you can use simpler methods of insulation. Their essence is to use a material with a low thermal conductivity as a floor covering.

The simplest thing is to put carpet or carpet on the existing floor. Products made of natural wool with long pile have the greatest insulating properties.

Another option is to use thickened linoleum on a warm substrate (felt, jute) or on a foamed base. Likewise, you can "insulate" the laminate by placing a thickened substrate made of cork, polyethylene foam or expanded polystyrene under it.

Thus, in order for the floor to maintain a comfortable temperature even in winter, it is not necessary to use additional heating systems and "warm floor" structures. In most cases, to increase the temperature of the floor by several degrees, it is enough to correctly insulate it with the help of available materials.

The temperature in the house is largely dependent on the floor. This is especially true for private buildings, where the floor is practically on the ground. The question of how to insulate the floors in a private house worries many and is solved with varying degrees of success.

Floor insulation scheme in a private house.

Nowadays on sale there are many building materials with high thermal insulation properties. The correct choice of such material will solve the problem than in a private house. After the selection of insulation, the process of laying it with your own hands is quite accessible to many.

Features of floor insulation in a private house

A private house is located directly on the surface of the earth, and, accordingly, the factors of influence of the soil play a decisive role. Both the bottom of the floor slab and the basement part of the wall are exposed to low temperatures and moisture. The soil freezes deep enough in winter, which creates specific effects on the floor coverings in a private house.

Comparison table of heaters.

The decision on how to insulate the floors in a private house depends on the design of the house. The lifting height of the base above the ground has a noticeable effect. Sometimes there is a need for external insulation and waterproofing of the basement part of the wall for floor insulation. A basement in a house causes increased heat loss from the floor downwards, especially if the basement is located in the zone of freezing of the ground. Insulation of a private house should start from the basement.

Floor insulation depends on how the house is made (of brick, using frame technology), on the number of storeys, etc. The construction of the floor itself determines the method of its insulation. Insulation can be carried out on a concrete screed and on logs. If you do not take into account the methods of forced heating of floors in a private house, then the methods of insulation can be divided into three main types:

Based on fibrous heat insulators.
With foam materials.
By spraying a polymer coating with high thermal insulation properties.

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Mineral wool insulation

Scheme of floor insulation with mineral wool insulation on the ground.

You can insulate the floors in a private house with the help of a fibrous heat insulator such as mineral wool. For thermal insulation of floors, it is recommended to use boards made of compacted mineral wool. This material is fibrous, therefore, with high thermal insulation properties, it has increased hygroscopicity, which requires reliable waterproofing. Adequate thermal protection is achieved with a 10 cm layer of mineral wool.

The manufacturing technology of mineral wool insulation is as follows. A layer of vapor barrier film is laid on the main floor covering, so that the metallized side is on top. The film is overlapped and fixed with tape. A waterproofing layer made of a polymer film, for example, a polyethylene film, is laid on top. On these layers, wooden beams are mounted in the form of a lattice. The thickness of the beams is 10 cm. The pitch of the beams is 60-80 cm. The beams are fixed with anchors if the floor is concrete, or with screws if the floor is wooden.

Slabs of mineral wool are laid between the beams, so that there is no gap between the wool and the timber. The entire volume between the bars is filled. A layer of waterproofing made of polyethylene film and another layer of vapor barrier film with the metallized side down is applied to the thermal insulation from above. Along the perimeter of the room, along the walls, a damper heat-insulating film is laid, for example, made of foamed or cross-linked polyethylene. The film is laid in such a way that its upper cut is located on the basement part of the wall, at a height of at least 30 cm, and the lower cut is on the floor insulation layer. The film is glued to the wall. On top of all layers, an external floor covering is made from board, plywood or chipboard sheets. The cover is fastened with screws to wooden beams.

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Warming with expanded polystyrene

Often, in order to insulate the floors in a private house, expanded polystyrene (polystyrene) is used. In private construction, foam plastic is usually used in the form of plates such as PSB-S-35 or PSB-S-50. Expanded polystyrene has very high thermal insulation properties, but they are largely determined by the presence of air pores, which requires waterproofing. In addition, this material has low resistance to local bursting and low mechanical strength, which requires reinforcing elements.

It is recommended to lay the insulation on a concrete screed. On top of the screed, waterproofing from two layers of polyethylene film is laid. A damper film is placed along the perimeter of the floor, similar to mineral wool. Then the foam plates are installed. As a rule, the boards are installed in two layers, but one layer of thick boards is allowed. The total thickness of the insulation reaches 10 cm. The boards are installed with a minimum gap (no more than 2 mm).

On top of the foam layer, waterproofing from a thick polyethylene film is laid. The film is located with an overlap of at least 15 cm. All insulation must be protected with a reinforcing layer. It is made in the form of a lattice with a cell of 15-20 cm from a rod of steel reinforcement with a diameter of at least 5 mm. Such a reinforcing mesh redistributes the loads, making them more even over the floor surface. It is advisable to attach the reinforcement to the floor screed using anchors. Installation of floor insulation in a private house is completed by pouring concrete with a layer of at least 5 cm. After hardening, any topcoat can be applied over this concrete screed.

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Plastic heaters

Modern technologies have made it possible to manufacture polymer tile materials with increased thermal insulation properties and a sufficiently high mechanical strength. With their help, the floor in a private house is insulated without the use of a number of additional protective layers. So, extruded polystyrene foam is produced in the form of dense, durable plates with high strength, incl. to crush. We offer, for example, boards of grades from XPS200 to XPS500, which have sufficient waterproofing parameters and can be used without additional protection against moisture. For thermal insulation of a floor in a private house, a thickness of 8 cm is sufficient. The floor covering can be laid directly on such slabs.

In many ways, polyurethane foam plates are similar in their properties. These boards are available in PUR and PIR grades. To increase reliability and for vapor barrier, the slabs can have an outer layer of aluminum foil.

The floor is a fencing structure, the strength of which is subject to increased requirements, therefore, even unloaded floor slabs are made of concrete of a grade not lower than M 250. The high density of such concrete causes low porosity and good thermal conductivity of the structures made from it, which necessitates their insulation, especially basement floors, and attic.

The most important factors ensuring the success of the thermal protection of floor slabs are the correctly selected floor insulation and the technology of its installation.

Thermal insulation of the floor with stone wool from above

Therefore, when planning the implementation of thermal insulation, it is better to know in detail how you can insulate the floor effectively, but economically - with an optimal price / quality ratio.

Justification of the need for floor insulation

Covering and floor structures are involved in the heat exchange of the premises between themselves and with the outside environment. In addition, residents are constantly in contact with the floor surface, as opposed to walls and ceilings when walking. Taking these circumstances into account, the cold floor is insulated, as a result of which the following benefits are obtained:

reduction of heat loss in housing during the heating season;
prevention of condensation on floor surfaces;
increasing the durability of wooden structures;
comfort of human contact with a warm base.

Heat protection of floors: foam plastic, expanded clay

The listed factors are serious, moreover, most of them manifest themselves immediately upon the performance of floor insulation. Therefore, the feasibility of the device for thermal insulation of floors is more than justified.

Requirements for floor insulation

The main function performed by a heat insulator laid on the floor is to create a barrier in the path of heat transfer from a warmer room environment to a cold outdoor environment. Therefore, for floor insulation should be used materials that have sufficient thermal insulation properties - like all heaters. But, besides this, the thermal insulation material must also meet other requirements for housing insulation:

Important! The strength of the insulating material is a preferred, but not mandatory characteristic when choosing a heater, since there are laying technologies that allow the use of soft materials under conditions of mechanical stress.

Heat protection of the floor with mineral wool

In addition to those listed, there is one more characteristic that is not directly related to the effectiveness of thermal protection, but an important one is the cost of the material. The analysis of this parameter should be approached thoughtfully, since more expensive material does not always meet expectations.

Natural insulation: from coconut fiber (Bauplit Cocos), linen ("Izolna")

Important! The screaming cheapness is fraught with the low quality of the isolate, and the purchase of expensive exotic materials should be justified by the need for their unique qualities.

Insulants used for floor insulation

By and large, all known heaters are suitable for the device of thermal insulation of the floor to one degree or another. The effectiveness of their use will depend on the individual characteristics of the thermal protection material, the correctness of its installation and specific operating conditions. Let's take a closer look at the types of heaters, effective for application on the most popular sex.

Mineral wool insulation

Materials of this group have a porous fibrous structure, which leads to a low specific weight and good thermal insulation properties. They are produced in the form of rolled strips or mats of a certain width and thickness,

Mineral wool insulation rolled and in the form of a mat

they are used for insulation of vertical and horizontal bases, they need additional equipment with protection from external factors.

Stone wool

It is produced from re-melted igneous rocks, mainly basalt. Hot steam or air is blown through a stream of molten raw materials, as a result of which soft thin fibers are formed, which are treated with hydrophobic compounds and binder resins, then heat treated at a temperature of 180-230 0 C and formed to obtain a porous canvas of a given density and thickness. The resulting "carpet" is cut into products of the required format, from which rolls or mats are formed.

Basalt wool in rolls and in the form of mats

Stone wool is a non-combustible material, the fibers of which can withstand, without melting, a temperature of 850-880 0 С, but upon reaching 600-700 0 С they begin to disintegrate with the formation of dust.

The ability to withstand a distributed load is determined by the density of the insulation, according to which basalt wool is divided into 3 groups:

soft (rolls and mats) - 10-50 kg / m 3;
semi-rigid (mats) - 50-80 kg / m 3;
rigid (slabs) - 80-220 kg / m 3.

Stone wool is the best mineral wool isolate, which is confirmed by its following advantages:

high heat-insulating and sound-absorbing properties - coefficient of thermal conductivity 0.033-0.046 W / m · 0 K, sound absorption - 0.87-0.95;
good vapor permeability - 0.25-0.35 mg / m2 · h · Pa;
low water absorption - no more than 2% by volume;
a wide range of specific gravity - 10-220 kg / m 3;
high operating temperature - up to 700 0 С;
biostability;
fire safety;
durability.

Non-combustibility of basalt wool

Improved modifications of stone wool are produced - coated with aluminum foil, kraft paper, fiberglass.

Disadvantages of basalt wool :

high price relative to other mineral wool heaters;
the binder contains phenol-formaldehyde resins, although only 2% of the total mass.

On the floors for their warming and sound insulation, this insulating material is laid along the logs or floor slabs with the possibility of subsequent screed.

Important! Basalt wool fibers are soft and not prickly, but in order to avoid the ingress of stone dust into the respiratory tract, it is necessary to work with this insulation in a respirator.

Glass wool

This insulation is also produced in the form of rolls and slabs, the price of which, due to the use of up to 80% cullet as a raw material, is much lower than basalt wool.

Glass wool in rolls and in the form of slabs

According to many characteristics, including thermal insulation, this insulation is not inferior to stone wool:

low density - 11-25 kg / m 3;
low thermal conductivity - 0.03 - 0.055 W / m · 0 K;
incombustibility (class NG);
wide range of operating temperatures (from -50 to +450 0 С);
sound absorption - 0.8-0.92.

Glass wool even has an advantage over basalt insulation - its fibrous structure does not contain other inclusions, is elastic and therefore resistant to compaction under the influence of vibration. Glass wool is produced, covered on one side with aluminum foil or fiberglass, which gives the material tensile strength and windproof properties.

Foil glass wool

Glass wool is suitable for insulating floors, being at the same time a good sound insulator, but due to its low stiffness, it is used only when laying between logs. It should be borne in mind that this insulation, when wet, becomes denser and dries for a long time. In addition, due to the brittleness and brittleness of the fibers, it is necessary to work with it in a respirator, gloves, goggles and tight clothing, which creates difficulties during installation, especially in warm weather. The listed disadvantages reduce the popularity of the use of glass wool for home improvement.

Slag wool

This mineral wool insulation is made from the waste of the metallurgical industry - blast furnace slags, which leads to a widely affordable price with many advantages:

low thermal conductivity - 0.046-0.08 W / (m · 0 K);
noise absorption coefficient 0.75-0.82;
incombustibility (NG);
operating temperature - up to 250 0 С;
fire resistance - 450 0 С;
volumetric weight - 75-400 kg / m 3.

Roll slag wool: plain and coated with aluminum foil

Slag wool is suitable for warming floors on logs and concrete, but, depending on the method of installation, its rigidity should be taken into account - insulation with a density of at least 150 kg / m 3 is laid on concrete slabs.

Taking into account the listed characteristics, from slag wool by adding 15-20% bitumen to it, an artificial, so-called "mineral cork" is produced - moisture-absorbing (up to 50% by weight), but non-hygroscopic nail material in the form of slabs with a low specific gravity (250 -400 kg / m 3).

Slag wool artificial cork sheet

With the existing advantages, this isolate has more disadvantages than other materials in the group:

in the absence of hygroscopicity, the ability to absorb water by absorption;
the presence of residual slag acidity in the fibers, which causes corrosion of metals and rotting of wood upon contact with this insulation;
fragility and brittleness of fibers, like glass wool;
low resistance to temperature extremes;
lack of resistance to vibration;
the presence of phenol-formaldehyde resins in the binder.

Based on the listed "disadvantages", slag wool is not often used for home improvement, while trying to buy insulation modified with special additives and impregnations. But such thermal insulation is more expensive than usual, and the preference given to slag wool loses its meaning.

Polymer heat-shielding materials

From this group, solid sheet and elastic roll insulators are used for floor insulation, the specific choice of which depends on the installation method.

The cheapest insulation made of solid materials is expanded polystyrene - lightweight polymer sheet with high thermal insulation properties, but low hardness.

Expanded polystyrene

The softness of this insulation determines its laying either between the logs followed by a device on top of the flooring, or from the side of the ceiling, where there are no compressive loads. Laying polystyrene foam on a concrete floor is possible, but it will require a device on top of a load-bearing reinforced screed, which will entail additional costs.

For insulation of a concrete floor base from above, it is more suitable penoplex - material obtained by extrusion of polystyrene and therefore is its improved variety.

Penoplex in packaging and at the place of installation

The density of this insulation, depending on the brand (C - wall, F - foundation, K - roof, "45", "Comfort"), ranges from 25 to 50 kg / m 3, and the density depends on the compressive strength - from 0 , 2 to 0.6 MPa.

Important! For insulation on top of concrete floors without lags, use Penoplex grades "F" and "45". When laying insulation of lesser strength, a screed will be required.

The cost of polystyrene foam is 3-4 times higher than that of expanded polystyrene, which is due to its advantages, but this durable insulation should be used where its high characteristics will be in demand, where the rejection of conventional foam is objectively justified.

An example of a rolled polymer heat-shielding material is isolon - domestic elastic insulation, the full name of which is "polyethylene foam" (foamed polyethylene). It goes on sale in the form of canvases of a certain size or rolled strips.

Plain and foil isolon

There are two types of isolon produced - cross-linked (PPE) and extruded (NPE). Visually, the first differs from the second in smaller pores, greater elasticity and strength, due to the presence of additional bonds between polymer molecules.

Comparative table of characteristics of isolones PPE and NPE

A self-adhesive version of Isolon is also being produced - Isolontape (splen), which is used in the automotive industry for insulation and soundproofing of the passenger compartment, but it is also successfully used in home renovation.

Splan - regular and reinforced

The disadvantages of isolon include low vapor permeability, but this factor is, rather, a feature of this isolate.

Sprayed thermal insulation

The insulation applied in this way includes spraying a layer of ecowool or polyurethane foam onto the base.

Insulated floors - ecowool and polyurethane foam

Ecowool - a heater made from waste paper and waste of the pulp and paper industry, that is, from natural cellulose, with the addition of antiseptics and fire retardants. In a ready-to-use form, the material is a loose mass of fibers up to 4 mm long.

Ecowool: before and after application

Insulation is applied to the surface using pneumatic equipment: dry fibers are ejected from a nozzle on a hose with a jet of air, moistening at the outlet with water from built-in nozzles.

Advantages of ecowool :

high heat and sound insulation properties of the formed cellulose "coat";
low volumetric weight;
environmental friendliness;
affordable material cost.

Disadvantages of ecowool:

gradual decrease in thermal insulation properties (by 20-25%) due to natural compaction;
the need for special equipment, the payment for the use of which is high, and the application of the "fur coat" by hand is a laborious process, with the result of low quality;
the need for a device over the insulation of the bearing coating due to the low stiffness of the "fur coat".

For thermal insulation of structures by spraying polyurethane foam two types of polymer are used - elastic and rigid, applied using special equipment. Warming of floors is arranged with a rigid composition.

Advantages of polyurethane foam heat protection :

low thermal conductivity - 0.0235 W / (m · 0 K);
strength under the influence of a load distributed over the area;
lack of seams in the coating;
high water resistance;
ease of application to the surface at any angle, high adhesion to all materials;
resistance to ultraviolet and solvents;
durability (30-50 years).

disadvantages :

the need for special equipment;
the need for experience in performing this type of work;
lack of adhesion to polyethylene.

Loose heat-shielding materials

This group includes many materials (shavings, sawdust, straw), but consider the most common loose thermal floor protection -.

This bulk insulation is made by swelling a hot solution of natural clay, followed by firing the resulting clay granules of various fractions:

sand - up to 5 mm;
gravel - 5-10, 10-20, 20-40 mm.

For thermal insulation of floors, expanded clay of fractions 10-20 and 20-40 mm is used.

Various fractions of expanded clay products

Advantages of expanded clay :

high thermal insulation characteristics;
comparatively small volumetric weight for clay material;
environmental friendliness - completely from natural material;
incombustibility;
ease of installation;
affordable price;
durability (100 years is not the limit).

Disadvantages of expanded clay :

dust formation - the need for a substrate when laying on a wooden floor;
use only on horizontal or with a low slope;
significant thickness of the effective layer - from 15 cm.

Cork insulation

Cork insulating material is an effective heat-shielding material in the form of plates or rolls, due to its environmental friendliness, suitable for use in residential premises for any purpose. The production technology of this insulation is called agglomeration and consists in molding crumbs from crushed bark of a cork tree, to which an organic binder is added.

Cork thermal insulation: roll and sheet version

According to the name of the technology, the insulation received a second name - cork agglomerate , which is produced in two types:

White - rolled or in the form of plates, thermal protection with a decorative function, which does not need finishing, is made from the bark of branches;

White agglomerate cork

black - cork insulation, suitable for mounting on floor, in the form of panels made of trunks bark chips, subjected to heat treatment during the manufacturing process.

Black cork agglomerate

Insulation cork slabs are produced, into which wooden logs are already pressed in for installation on them with finishing.

In addition to the listed coatings, floor cladding with heat-shielding properties is produced, which also does not require finishing - laminate veneered with a cork sheet and a cork board made of solid veneer with protective varnish coatings, laid on special substrates.

Cork decorative board and laminate

Advantages of cork insulation :

environmental friendliness;
low specific weight (200-230 kg / m 3);
strength with elasticity and low weight;
high heat-insulating and sound-absorbing characteristics;
antistatic;
low flammability (class M3);
low water absorption - less than 2%;
ease of installation;
biostability;
declared durability - at least 50 years.

disadvantages :

vulnerability to damage from sharp objects;
the complexity of performing cosmetic repairs;
lack of resistance to temperature extremes (begins to crumble);
loses color when exposed to sunlight.

Decorative cork flooring

Nevertheless, despite the presence of shortcomings, the popularity of cork in the line of luxury materials does not decline.

Heat protection over the floor slab

Insulate the concrete floor without lags of both the first and on the second floor from the side of the room, you can use hard types of stone or slag wool, as well as foam, expanded clay, isolon.

These materials are effective for use not only in interior rooms, but also on open verandas - it is necessary to insulate the floor to increase the service life of the structures there too.

When installing insulation from any of these materials the subfloor is repaired (cracks and shells are repaired), after which 2-3 layers of waterproofing are arranged on it.

Mineral wool insulation (mats, slabs) is laid tightly on the floor, bulging, and 2 layers of waterproofing are also arranged on top of it. Then you can lay 2 layers of DSP (cement-bonded particle board) or thick plywood, on which the finishing cladding will be laid. Instead of sheets of particle board or plywood, you can make a leveling screed 3-5 cm thick, preferably with mesh reinforcement.

Penoplex is laid on the concrete floor just as tightly, in one or two layers, with the cracks sealed with polyurethane foam. After removing excess dried foam on the insulation, you can also mount DSP or plywood, on top of which the finishing will then be done.

Penoplex laid on a concrete floor

Expanded clay is poured onto the concrete floor and leveled with the device of a layer of the required thickness. On top of the expanded clay, a 5 cm thick screed is made with reinforcement with a mesh of metal or fiberglass reinforcement.

Thermal insulation of the sub-floor with expanded clay

Warming concrete sex can be done and isolone, if the region of residence is not north of the middle lane, and the floor is not the first. Izolon is laid in strips or sheets end-to-end, after which the seams are glued with special tape. On top of such insulation, laminate can be laid without using another substrate. But, if you lay linoleum, on top of the insulation you need to mount a rigid base (chipboard, DSP, plywood), otherwise the finish will be squeezed even when walking, not to mention the loads from the installed furniture.

Laying isolon on a concrete floor

In the northern regions, this insulation can be used in combination with another insulator - as a waterproofing coating.

This video will help you have a better idea of how to perform heat protection of the floor with foam or foam:

Floor insulation from below

Installation of thermal protection on the ceiling base of the lower floor room is not convenient, but such an arrangement of the insulation does not require a device over the insulating hard coating.

Insulate concrete slabs from below it is possible with mineral wool, expanded polystyrene, isolon, spraying with ecowool or polyurethane foam. On the ceiling, waterproofing is carried out by impregnation, after which, except in the case of isolon, it is better to mount the bars with the required step (you can do without them), between which the thermal insulation plates are tightly inserted. Then, on top of the bars, a crate is mounted, the design of which is carried out in accordance with the selected finish.

Insulation of the concrete floor from below: foam and mineral wool

Izolon can be glued to a concrete ceiling - after preparing the base, and then mount slats, bars or a cd-profile on top of it for subsequent attachment of PVC panels, drywall, etc. to them.

Floor insulated from below with isolon

Execute warming any the floor from below is the easiest way to spray the insulating material. To bring the layer of thermal protection into one plane, you must first mount the bars of the required section on the base, fill the niches between them with insulation, and then cut off all unnecessary from the "fur coat" protruding beyond the bars in height. These "beacons" can then be used to mount the base for finishing or decorative cladding directly.

The cost of this technology is justified by the simplification of the execution of work at height.

Floor insulation on the ground

Floor on the ground is a multi-layer "cake", which necessarily includes insulation, often of several types.

Sectional floor insulated on the ground

Of the common heaters, in this case, the best choice would be penoplex - solid and resistant to temperature extremes. After completing the preparatory work, floor insulation penoplex on the ground is carried out identically to its installation on the interfloor overlap. If the floor of the room does not experience significant loads, this rather expensive material can be replaced with ordinary expanded polystyrene, but a reinforced screed will need to be placed on top of it.

Thermal insulation of floors on the ground with penoplex

Conclusion

Warming of floors in private houses is a necessary operation, and in high-rise apartments with a sufficient ceiling height, this procedure is desirable. The assortment of modern thermal insulation materials allows you to choose an insulating compound from an affordable price segment, moreover, possible for self-installation. It remains to study the technology of installation and avoid haste in execution.

The main point of the article

Floor - the enclosing structure at the bottom of the room, in contact with cold layers of air or the outside environment and therefore in need of insulation. In addition, the floor is under stress from the interior, which leads to increased requirements for the strength of the floor insulation.
When choosing an insulating compound for the floor, it is necessary to know not only the main characteristics of heaters, but also the advantages of their use, the individual disadvantages of each type of material.
Thermal protection should be purchased with reference to the existing conditions - the region, the characteristics of the building, the selected insulation technology.
Insulate the floor correctly maybe on your own, so like most technologies, it does not require the use of special equipment and the presence of special professional skills.

In domestic climatic conditions, the need to insulate residential buildings is beyond doubt. Owners of private houses have to solve this problem on their own. Wooden boards, from which in most cases the floors are made in suburban households, deform over time, and gaps appear in the cover, which is tightly knocked down at first.

It is hard to imagine, but through these cracks in the cold season, up to thirty percent of thermal energy can go away. As a result, heating costs increase sharply, and the comfort of living in winter decreases. To prevent these consequences, it is necessary to insulate the floors with high quality.

The list of materials for floor insulation is wide enough

Variants of wood floor insulation technologies

The procedure for thermal insulation of a wooden floor should be foreseen at the stage of design and construction of a house, and then minimum labor and financial resources will be required. If it is necessary to perform this manipulation, when the overlap is already ready, the technology for performing the work becomes much more complicated. In this case, you can do the job correctly and insulate the floor from above, directly along the old coating, or with its partial dismantling. There is also an option for insulating the flooring from the bottom from the basement side.

In this case, it is more convenient to insulate the floor from the basement side.

Floor insulation is done from above if the house has a low basement. If at the same time the flooring is dismantled, only the logs are left. The procedure is very laborious. In the event that the basement is of sufficient depth, the insulating material can be laid from below. It is much easier and faster, since in the process of performing the work you will not have to dismantle and disassemble the flooring if it is in good condition.

The better to insulate the floors in a private house

Do-it-yourself floor insulation in a private house is quite realistic. In this case, a variety of heat-insulating materials are used. Which one is better is determined after analyzing their performance and the specific conditions in which they will be used. The insulated floor significantly increases the comfort of living in the house at negative ambient temperatures and reduces heating costs.

Ecowool - one of the options for insulation for a wooden floor

Styrofoam and expanded polystyrene are widely used; glass wool and mineral wool have their own characteristics. The simplest and cheapest method of warming the surface of a wooden floor with expanded clay or with sawdust. The so-called dry screed has good performance characteristics.

Advantages and disadvantages of Styrofoam and Styrofoam

Many people know that you can insulate the floor with foam. Expanded polystyrene flooring is also popular with professional builders and DIYers. Polyfoam and expanded polystyrene, due to their excellent performance, are most widely used as insulation materials. Except for minor differences, their specifications are comparable to each other. The use of these thermal insulation materials has the following advantages:

low cost;
low thermal conductivity;
small mass;
wide area of use;
long service life;
resistance to pathogenic microflora;
ease of installation.

Quite often, the floor is insulated with foam.

In addition to the above advantages, these materials also have operational disadvantages. Their list is also quite impressive, the following negative qualities can be noted:

emit harmful substances when ignited;
prevent the passage of water vapor;
are afraid of exposure to direct sunlight;
attractive to rodents;
collapse on contact with solvents;
have low mechanical strength.

Characteristics of "Dry screed" for floor insulation

The so-called "Dry screed", which is made from gypsum fiber, is excellent for thermal insulation of the wooden floor of a private house. The use of this composition suggests the following positive aspects:

excellent thermal insulation;
fire safety;
ease of styling;
compatibility with all topcoats;
small thickness;
good noise absorption characteristics.

The process of laying "dry screed" for floor insulation

At the same time, since we are insulating the floor with a dry mixture of factory production, one should take into account its high consumption: it takes twenty kilograms of the mixture to process one square meter of surface. In addition, when water penetrates, the geometric dimensions of the dry screed change, which can lead to deterioration of the finish coating.

Possibility of using mineral wool

Mineral wool is widely used to provide thermal insulation for wooden floors. The material is made in the form of slabs, which are easy to lay on the floor with your own hands.

Mineral wool is well suited for floor insulation

Mineral wool has many positive properties. The material is distinguished by excellent noise-absorbing and heat-insulating qualities, fire safety, prevents the reproduction of pathogenic microflora, and is resistant to aggressive chemical environments.

However, when water gets in, deformation and partial loss of heat-insulating qualities occur. In addition, mineral wool has low mechanical strength and does not belong to environmentally friendly materials.

Features of the use of glass wool

Glass wool is similar in its characteristics to mineral wool. A feature of its application is that when performing work, you need to carefully monitor so that it does not get into the organs of vision or on the skin.

Glass wool - a common option for insulating a wooden floor

The production process is complicated by the need for the employee to use personal protective equipment. The negative quality of this material is its significant shrinkage over time, as a result of which, if improperly laid, the thermal insulation is disturbed.

Pros and cons of using expanded clay

Expanded clay is a clay-based foamed and fired granules of a porous structure. The big advantage of this material is its low cost, environmental friendliness, low weight and long service life of about fifty years. Expanded clay has excellent soundproofing and insulation properties. Thus, thermal insulation of the surface of a wooden floor with expanded clay will not break a hole in the family budget.

Warming the floor with expanded clay - simple and inexpensive

The downside of its use can be considered the need to perform a layer of backfill that is significant in thickness, otherwise the wooden floors will remain cold, especially at sharply negative ambient temperatures. In addition, it absorbs moisture well, although it does not lose its insulating properties.

Sawdust is the cheapest material

The cheapest material in terms of cost is finely ground sawdust. They do not pose any danger to human health, the technology for performing the work is extremely simple: the space between the rough and final flooring is covered with sawdust. Before use, this material must be thoroughly dried for at least twelve months, otherwise it will quickly deteriorate. Waste cut from freshly cut trees must not be used immediately.

Apparently, sawdust is the most budgetary option for floor insulation.

By increasing or decreasing the layer thickness, the level of thermal insulation is regulated. In northern regions with very cold climates, a very thick layer has to be poured. It is necessary to take into account the attractiveness of this material for rodents and to scare them away add two parts of hydrated lime in dry form to the composition. The disadvantage of sawdust is the occurrence of decay processes in them when wet.

Modern choice - isolon and penofol

Undoubted operational advantages are distinguished by the use of such modern materials as isolon and penofol as a heater. Izolon is a polyethylene foam covered with a foil layer and has excellent sound-insulating qualities with a very small thickness. The material does not support combustion, prevents the development of pathogenic microflora and corrosion processes, a two-centimeter layer is comparable in sound-insulating and heat-saving properties to a single brick masonry.

Fragments of laying penoizol for floor insulation

Penofol produced in the form of rolls consists of several layers of insulation, on top of which there is a reflective foil. It acts as a screen that prevents large losses of thermal energy.

When using penofol, it is not required to carry out additional work on waterproofing or arranging a vapor barrier layer.

The easiest way is to lay a double floor.

The easiest way to carry out insulation is to provide for the laying of a double floor at the stage of building a house, which is a rough and a finish coating. This insulation system should be used in a room with high ceilings, as it takes up useful space.

Construction technology provides for laying logs on which the sub-floor will be strengthened. The covering can be made of wood planks, particle boards, OSB or other similar materials, it is only important that the structural elements fit snugly together without forming gaps.

Arrangement of a double floor is a reliable option for insulation

Insulation material is laid on the surface of the subfloor between the guides. At the same time, sand should not be used as it with high natural humidity, since in this case condensation may form. On top of the insulation, a finishing coating of wooden planks about five centimeters thick is mounted. The new coating will have to be painted, as described in the article.

Of course, you can also insulate the old floor in the same way, but this should take into account the decrease in the relative height of the ceiling.

The most correct floor insulation is along the logs

When building a new house or dismantling a covering, the most correct floor insulation is the method of performing work on logs. In this case, the insulation is placed between the logs, which serve as the basis for the finished floor. Depending on the structure of the building, the basis for the installation of logs and insulation can be a subfloor made on their own logs, as well as a concrete coating or even soil. In the latter case, it is useful to equip a clay castle to protect it from moisture with a layer of about 5-10 cm.

Thick insulation can be held between the lags on ordinary nails

In the technology under consideration, the height of the lag and the distance between them must correspond to the height of the insulation and its width. Before installing the floor covering on top of the insulation, a vapor barrier layer should be made of a waterproof film fixed to the logs. The joints of the film can be fixed with tape.

How to insulate floors with your own hands from below, without removing the old floor

If a private house has a deep cold basement, the most correct way would be to insulate the floor from below without removing the old coating. At the same time, you do not need to choose a material that can withstand the weight of heavy furniture and other mechanical loads. In this case, not only the finishing surface will be protected, but the entire overlap as a whole, and the dew point of the overlap will shift outward, and the coating will not rot.

When performing such a task, some difficulties lie in the rapid fatigue when working with constantly raised hands. There are also restrictions on the types of heat-insulating material and the need for its fastening with increased reliability.

Schematically, insulation from below is performed as follows:

first, the waterproofing layer is equipped;
then a heat insulator is located;
on top of it, insulation from water vapor;
then an overlap is performed to ensure the retention of the floor insulation.

Styrofoam can be secured from below with nails with spacers and polyurethane foam

Adhering to this technology when doing work with your own hands, you can get the most comfortable temperature regime in the living quarters of the house. The heat insulator should be lightweight, since it will exert a constant load on the fasteners; bulk materials are not suitable in this case.

Insulation of the floor in a wooden house from the inside with foam or glass wool

Good results are obtained by insulation from the inside with foam or glass wool. These materials are lightweight and have excellent thermal insulation properties. First, waterproofing is fixed to the lower surface of the floor using a stapler. Further, the thermal insulation boards can be laid in such a way that they are held during installation due to frictional forces. To do this, their width should be slightly larger than the distance between the lags. When working with glass wool, be sure to use personal protective equipment for the respiratory system, eyes and skin.

Penoplex is a reliable insulation of a wooden floor

A vapor barrier film is applied over the insulation, which is attached to the logs with staples and a stapler. Further along the logs, a frame is mounted that holds the insulation. It can be made of any material that suits you in appearance and durability. Gaps are allowed between the retaining elements, through which the insulation is guaranteed not to fall out.

Step-by-step instructions for thermal insulation of a wooden floor with polyurethane foam

Currently, thermal insulation of a wooden floor with polyurethane foam has become widespread. To perform this work, it is necessary to first prepare the base on which the ecowool will be applied, and spray the composition on the lower surface of the floor. The step-by-step instructions are as follows:

the coating is cleaned of dirt and thoroughly degreased;
the base is dried to a moisture content of no more than five percent;
the high-pressure unit is connected with hoses to containers with mixture components;
polyurethane foam spreads evenly over the floor surface;
drying time of the coating occurs within two days from the moment of application.

It is quite possible to insulate wooden floors from below with polyurethane foam

The high pressure equipment used to spray polyurethane foam is very expensive. It is irrational to purchase it for arranging thermal insulation in a private house and it is better to rent this equipment.