How to properly lay mineral wool on the roof. Technology of roof insulation with mineral wool: insulation methods

Different materials are used to insulate the roof, but one of the most affordable and effective options is mineral wool. This heat insulator is available in different versions, and before installation it is important to know the features and rules for using the insulation.

What is mineral wool and its characteristics

Mineral wool is presented in several types, which are determined by GOST 52953–2008. Thus, the category of mineral wool includes glass wool, material made from slag, and stone wool. All of them have a fibrous, airy structure that differs in density and performance characteristics. Materials can be presented in the form of plates, rolls, and sheets of varying thickness.

Mineral wool is easy to install, regardless of type

To insulate a residential building and any part of it, stone wool is used, since it has optimal characteristics for obtaining a good thermal insulation layer. The fibers of this material are stronger than glass wool, do not scatter throughout the room and do not enter the human respiratory system. The fibers are non-thorny and highly elastic, which allows you to lay slabs or rolls of stone wool even in the most difficult places.

Stone wool emits fewer small particles, making it more convenient and safer to work with

Stone wool can contain blast furnace slag, clay, and limestone. Such components attract rodents and reduce resistance to fire and heat, which should be taken into account during installation. The basalt variety of this material does not contain binders or mineral components and is therefore more practical to use. The basalt structure is safe for human health and is more resistant to fire and temperature changes.

Main characteristics of basalt mineral wool:

heat resistance up to 1000 °C;
possibility of cooling down to -190 °C;
fiber elasticity;
resistance to humidity, ultraviolet radiation;
possibility of any finishing;
service life 40–50 years or more.

Video: comparison of stone and mineral wool

How to choose mineral wool for a roof: brands and manufacturers

Depending on the density, mineral wool is divided into several modifications, which are used to insulate certain parts of buildings. Therefore, when choosing, you should take into account not only the general characteristics of mineral wool, but also the properties of each brand, expressed in the following:

P-75 brand material has a density of 75 kg/m 3 and is suitable for thermal insulation of roofs with flat slopes, as well as other horizontal surfaces that are not subject to heavy loads. A structure with such a density is optimal for insulating pipes of heating plants and gas pipelines;
grade P-125 is characterized by a density of 125 kg/m3 and is used for thermal insulation of ceilings and floors, walls and partitions, and roofs with steep slopes. This mineral wool has an average degree of sound insulation;
modification PZh-175 - a rigid, high-density material used for insulating reinforced concrete floors and walls made of profiled metal sheets;
grade PPZh-200 - mineral wool of increased density and rigidity. Suitable for thermal insulation of metal floors and reinforced concrete structures, can be used as additional fire protection.

Denser mineral wool has poorer thermal insulation properties.

High-quality mineral wool is represented by several well-known manufacturers. One of the main ones is the ISOVER brand, which produces both heat insulators and other roofing materials. Products from companies such as:

To insulate the roof, it is necessary to choose mineral wool with an appropriate level of density. Brands P-75 and P-125 are optimally suited for this purpose. Before purchasing, you should make sure that the material does not have defects, expressed in the form of deformation of slabs or mats, as well as voids inside the canvas. The fibrous structure should be as homogeneous, elastic and durable as possible.

How to insulate a roof with mineral wool

Arranging a roof requires creating a roofing pie consisting of several layers of materials that perform specific functions. If we consider the sequence of layers from bottom to top, then first comes the internal lining of the ceiling of the room, and then the bottom sheathing and vapor barrier film are placed. Insulation is laid between the rafters, followed by waterproofing material, sheathing and external roofing. This structure is suitable for attic roofs and insulated attic spaces.

For insulated roofs, it is very important to follow the technology of laying the roofing pie with the obligatory installation of ventilation gaps

Following the diagram, we can distinguish the following main stages of roof insulation with mineral wool:

Insulation is carried out after installation of waterproofing and roofing. The distance between the rafters is measured and the slabs are cut into layers, the size of which is 2-3 cm larger than the opening between the rafters.
Pieces of mineral wool are placed tightly in each opening; no fastening elements are used, since the slabs must fit tightly.
On top of the laid insulation, a vapor barrier film is fixed to the rafters, and then the inner surface of the roof is sheathed with plasterboard, clapboard or other finishing material.

Video: roof insulation with mineral wool

Determining layer thickness

When arranging a warm roof, special importance is given to the thickness of the mineral wool layer. This parameter depends on the region and climatic conditions, the dimensions of the rafter legs, and the height of the roof. You can use online programs for calculations, but you can determine the approximate layer thickness yourself.

The thickness of the roof insulation layer is selected depending on the climatic conditions at the site of construction work

Averages can serve as a starting point. For example, for central Russia it is enough to create an insulation layer with a thickness of 100 to 150 mm. Thus, the thickness of the slabs should be sufficient to arrange such a layer, and the height of the rafter legs should be another 5 cm higher to create a ventilated layer. So, if the height of the rafter supports is 150 mm, and the mineral wool slabs have a thickness of 180 mm, then to increase the size of the rafters, additional bars must be placed on them to create a total height of the rafter legs of 220 mm.

Material life

All construction materials used to equip the building must be not only safe, but also durable. If the material retains its properties throughout its entire service life, subject to proper installation, then the house will be as comfortable as possible.

The service life of thermal insulation directly depends on proper installation

Therefore, for roof insulation, mineral wool from well-known manufacturers is used, which produce material with a service life of more than 50 years. The quality of the thermal insulation layer is significantly influenced by the correct installation of all protective layers, as well as the timely replacement of deformed elements.

Basalt or stone wool are convenient and practical for insulating the roof of a residential building. The high characteristics of these materials are complemented by proper installation, and the result is the most effective thermal insulation layer that protects the building from heat loss.

When installing a warm attic or attic, the roof of a house needs thermal protection. Most often, when constructing the roof of a private house, it is made pitched, this allows you to use the space under the roof and significantly reduce the cost of 1 m2 of area. When carrying out measures for thermal protection of pitched roof structures, mineral wool has become the most common material. Insulating the roof with mineral wool from the inside allows you to achieve excellent thermal protection.

What is mineral wool

Mineral wool is a fairly common material that is available in several types. The first classification is based on the origin of the raw materials. There are three types of mineral wool:

The most commonly used material is basalt fiber. In addition, the division occurs according to the shape of the insulation. It is produced in two types:

Mineral wool slabs are more durable. When insulating the roof with your own hands, securing them is quite simple. Rolled material has low strength, but at the same time its weight is lower than that of plates. When pitched roof slopes are more than 30 degrees, insulation in rolls is not used. In other cases, it will become a cheaper alternative to slab insulation.

Pros and cons of the material

Roof insulation with mineral wool has the following positive properties:

high heat-protective characteristics;
strength and durability;
resistance to biological influences (mold, fungus, rodents);
resistance to fire and high temperatures, which is especially important when ensuring the fire safety of a wooden house;
when insulated from the inside, the slabs hold quite well without additional fastening (during operation, the bottom sheathing becomes an additional holding element);
Do-it-yourself thermal protection with mineral wool ensures free movement of air through the material, this has a beneficial effect on the microclimate of the premises of the house.

It must be remembered that protecting the pitched roof of a house with mineral wool has its own characteristics and disadvantages:

DIY installation requires special clothing, gloves and a mask, since fiber particles getting on the skin and lungs cause itching and irritation;
a sufficiently high degree of water absorption of mineral wool requires the mandatory presence of vapor barrier and waterproofing;
When insulating a house with mineral wool, it is important to remember that it weighs more than, for example, polystyrene foam or penoplex.

Calculation of insulation thickness and rafter height

When choosing the height of a board or beam for rafter legs, you must be guided not only by strength calculations, but also take into account the thickness of the insulation. For central Russia, the thickness of the mineral wool layer for a residential building is in the range of 100-150 mm; for the northern regions, the thickness should be increased.

For example, the required height of the rafter leg is 150 mm, and the thickness of the insulation is 180 mm. In this case, you will need to increase the height of the rafters so that it allows you to completely lay mineral wool between the wooden structures and provide a ventilated layer 5 cm thick. If necessary, you can use boards of small cross-section, laid along the rafters. Such boards are called counter-lattice and allow you to competently perform thermal protection of the roof of a house with your own hands from the inside.

You can perform a full thickness calculation without special skills. To do this, you will need to install the Teremok PC application or use the online version.

The program is a fairly simple calculator that can calculate the required insulation thickness or check the already accepted one.

Technology of roof insulation with mineral wool from the inside

To increase the thermal insulation capacity of the roof structure from the inside using mineral wool, it is necessary to prepare the following materials:

Recently, diffusion moisture- and wind-proof membranes are often used, which combine two functions.

To ensure the comfort of the house and its normal operation, the layers of the roofing cake should be arranged in the following order from bottom to top:

covering the ceiling from the inside of the room;
bottom sheathing;
vapor barrier;
rafter legs;
insulation between rafters;
waterproofing;
sheathing;
roofing covering.

There are other options for fixing mineral wool material: from below the rafters from inside the room or from above. Such methods are used extremely rarely.

Layers of roofing cake with mineral wool

Work on insulation and construction of the roof of the house begins with the installation of the rafter system. After installing the supporting structures, a layer of waterproofing is laid, after which mineral wool slabs are installed from the inside. The next stage of work is the installation of the bottom sheathing, top sheathing and roofing. At the last moment, work is being done to finish the interior of the room. For this, plasterboard sheets 12.5 mm thick in two layers are most often used.

Safety precautions

When independently insulating the roof of a house from the inside with mineral wool, the following precautions must be observed:

the room should be well ventilated;
cutting tools are used as sharp as possible to reduce the crumbling of mineral fibers;
workers must have gloves and a mask that will prevent particles of material from entering the skin and lungs;
After completing the work, it is strongly recommended to immediately change clothes, thoroughly wash your hands, and then wash your face with cold water.

When fiber particles come into contact with the skin, redness and itching appear. To avoid unpleasant sensations, it is enough to follow safety precautions.

The use of mineral wool in construction is very wide. This material is most often used for roofs, since it fits best between the rafters and has many other positive characteristics.

In order for mineral wool to last a long time and not cause problems during operation, it is enough to follow the installation technology and purchase high-quality material. There are several well-known manufacturers on the market, such as Rockwool, Isover, Ursa, Paroc. These materials are used in many types of construction and have proven themselves.

Insulating the roof from the inside with mineral wool: step-by-step instructions

Mineral wool is recognized as one of the most popular materials for insulating roofs from the inside. We will tell you how to properly insulate a roof with mineral wool with your own hands.

How to insulate a roof from the inside with mineral wool - features of laying mineral wool on the roof

Installing a warm roof requires the installation of an insulating layer. As a rule, slopes are insulated after the completion of the rafter system assembly, but before installing the roofing - and this technology is considered optimal. However, sometimes annoying problems occur, and after assembling the roof it turns out that the existing insulation is not enough for normal thermal insulation.

The need for roof insulation

In such cases, it is necessary to insulate the roof from the inside with mineral wool - this allows you to compensate for the level of heat loss. How the roof is insulated from the inside with mineral wool will be discussed in this article.

There are two fundamental technologies for insulating a roof from the inside:

Laying insulation between the frame rafters;
Laying insulation above the rafters.

Each technology for roof insulation with mineral wool will be considered in more detail.

Types of insulation

Of course, it is necessary to insulate the slopes only when installing a warm roof. The thermal insulation layer is laid in the space between the rafters at the stage of roof installation when there is no finishing coating yet - this approach is quite convenient and does not require significant effort.

Roof insulation can be performed with the following types of mineral wool:

Glass wool. This heat-insulating material contains glass fiber with a thickness of no more than 15 microns. Glass wool can be produced in rolls, slabs or mats. The characteristics of this insulation are impressive: excellent thermal insulation properties, good fire resistance and complete resistance to biological factors. The material, produced in the form of slabs, is quite convenient and very easy to install. Glass wool can easily be classified as a budget insulation material if you take a closer look at the cost of alternative heat insulators. The main disadvantage of this material is its ability to cause irritation upon contact with open areas of the human body, so it is necessary to work with it only in a full set of personal protective equipment.
Basalt (stone) wool. This material also contains fibers, but here they are represented by a natural mineral - basalt. Additional components include some carbonate rocks, bentonite clay and several other composites. Basalt wool is completely non-flammable, has excellent thermal insulation properties and is resistant to mold and mildew. The structure of this material is not so strong, and its price is about 1.5-2 times higher than glass wool, but safety and ease of installation have done their job - and therefore basalt wool is in much greater demand.

There is also a third type of mineral wool - slag wool. It is pointless to consider insulating a roof with your own hands from the inside using mineral wool of this type, since it is not used for internal roof insulation due to its extremely negative impact on the human body.

Installation of mineral wool between the rafters from the inside of the roof

When laying thermal insulation material from the inside of a roof structure, the simplest option would be to install it in the space between the rafters. True, this method is only relevant if the thickness of the insulating layer does not exceed the width of the rafters, otherwise you will have to do combined thermal insulation of the roof.

Insulating the roof with mineral wool from the inside in this case will look like this:

The first step is to take a building level and measure the lower level of the rafters, which should be uniform along the entire perimeter of the frame. If there are deviations from the level, it is necessary to align all the rafters so that they run along the same line.
A waterproofing film must be laid in advance on top of the rafters, which protects the insulation from moisture. If this film was not used when installing the roof, then it will no longer be possible to lay it, so the thermal insulation will be without proper protection.
Mineral wool is cut into suitable pieces. When installing insulation between the rafter legs, the material is fixed due to the bursting force, so the cut elements should be 2-3 cm wider than the distance between the rafters. When laying the material in two layers, you need to ensure that the joints of one layer do not coincide with the joints of the other.
The next step is adjusting the vapor barrier. Cut membrane strips are installed above the insulation to protect it from moisture and air. The vapor barrier membrane is installed parallel to the roof slope and fixed with a construction stapler.
The last stage is covering the insulation, for which plasterboard, plywood or edged boards are usually used. In the future, the cladding will act as a support for the decorative finishing of the attic walls.

When installing insulation on a roof with a slope angle of less than 25 degrees, the following situation may arise: the insulating boards will simply fall out due to a lack of pushing force. To prevent this from happening, the insulation must be additionally reinforced with slats or strong fishing line stretched between the rafters. On slopes with a large slope this problem usually does not arise.

Do-it-yourself installation of mineral wool on rafters

If the width of the thermal insulation material does not allow it to fit into the space between the rafters, its installation will have to be carried out in two stages. One layer of material will be laid according to the technology described above, and the second will be laid on top of the already installed layer. Such insulation of the roof with mineral wool is much more expensive, but the result is of better quality.

Insulation of the roof with mineral wool along the rafters is carried out according to the following algorithm:

The first steps exactly repeat the installation algorithm between the rafters - the installation step of the rafter legs is measured, after which the insulation is cut so that it can be mounted by surprise. When using rolled material, you need to let it lie flat for a while.
During installation, the edges of the slabs are folded inward, and after installing the insulation, they are straightened.
A vapor barrier is attached to the rafters using a stapler. The rules are still the same: strips of material are laid with a slight overlap so that steam does not pass through the joints.
Slats are nailed horizontally to the rafters, the thickness of which should exceed the thickness of the insulation by 1-2 cm. The distance between the slats should be sufficient for laying heat-insulating boards.
Mineral wool is placed between the stuffed slats. When laying, you need to ensure that the joints of the material do not coincide with the joints of the previous layer.
The final stage is the outer cladding, for which any finishing material can be used.

This roof insulation technology is considered the most effective, therefore, when deciding how to properly insulate a roof with mineral wool, you should give preference to this option.

Insulating the roof from the inside with mineral wool is a fairly effective means of protecting the roof from the cold. Knowledge of the theory and competent implementation of the chosen technology will allow you to create a reliable roof, under which it will be possible to arrange a living space in the future.

Insulating the roof from the inside with mineral wool with your own hands: technology for insulating the roof with mineral wool, how to properly insulate

Insulation materials

The roof insulation procedure is a fairly important process, which can significantly prevent heat loss not only in the attic, but throughout the entire house. One of the most popular roof insulation materials is mineral wool, as it has zero moisture absorption, resistance to temperature changes and good performance characteristics. We’ll look further at how to properly insulate a roof with mineral wool.

Mineral wool for the roof: advantages and characteristics

Mineral wool is widely used in the process of insulating not only the roof, but also most other structural elements of the building. The scope of application of mineral wool extends to:

arrangement of floor systems;
insulation under plaster;
arrangement of suspended ventilated facades;
insulation of indoor walls;

heat insulator for roofing systems;
insulation of attics or balcony structures;
three-layer concrete panels.

This is primarily due to the following advantages of this material:

availability of a wide range of products - mineral wool is produced in roll form, in the form of slabs or mats, thus it is possible to choose the optimal option that is best suited for insulating a particular area of the building, also mineral wool differs in relation to density - rolled materials are more lightweight, and the slabs have a high density;
mineral wool is resistant to moisture and various types of atmospheric influences, so it is used both indoors and outdoors;
high thermal insulation rates are another important advantage of this material; mineral wool has a porous structure, which consists of small layers, thus ensuring good heat retention and a high level of sound insulation;
fire safety - mineral wool is not prone to burning and is not capable of spreading fire, so it is easily used in the process of insulating interfloor ceilings; according to certain manufacturers, mineral wool can withstand temperatures of more than 900 degrees Celsius;

lack of tendency to deformation is another important parameter, according to which mineral wool does not shrink, and therefore does not form so-called cold bridges that improve heat losses;
good frost resistance allows this material to be used outdoors or for insulating external structural elements of a building;
environmental safety - mineral wool is used as insulation in children's rooms, medical and health resort institutions;
By choosing mineral wool as insulation, you can save a lot, since the material has a high density.

Despite this, some disadvantages of mineral wool should be highlighted:

low level of strength, which is explained by the high porosity of the material;
this insulation provides reliable thermal insulation only in combination with other materials, such as a vapor barrier membrane or waterproofing film;
mineral wool in combination with fiberglass is unsafe due to the addition of aldehyde forms.

Mineral wool for roof insulation - features of choice

In relation to the primary raw material from which mineral wool is made, it can be:

Stone mineral wool is made by melting various types of stone fibers, from which thermal insulation boards are formed. Phenol-formaldehyde resin is used to connect these fibers. During the manufacturing process of wool, substances harmful to humans are neutralized, so stone wool is an environmentally friendly material.

Due to its excellent thermal and sound insulation characteristics, mineral wool is one of the most popular insulation materials. The main positive property of this material is low thermal conductivity, thanks to this it is possible to achieve savings of one ton of standard fuel per year, per square meter of material.

In addition, mineral wool is resistant to the appearance of mold and mildew; it is not eaten by insects and rodents, unlike polystyrene foam. The fire safety of mineral wool allows the material to be used as insulation for objects whose temperature does not exceed 900 degrees Celsius.

The vapor permeability of mineral wool allows you to avoid the accumulation of moisture in it, thus, excess moisture from the room is removed with its help. The service life of this material exceeds 45 years. Stone wool is very resistant to bending and deformation, so it is used in insulating systems with heavy loads.

Due to the fact that mineral fibers are arranged in a chaotic manner, this material has excellent soundproofing characteristics.

Thermal energy most often leaves the building through uninsulated areas of the roof. Therefore, even non-residential premises require roof insulation. Thus, it is possible not only to reduce the level of heat losses, but also to extend the life of the materials used in the process of finishing the attic space.

The use of mineral wool has unlimited applications. The simplest and best option is to install mineral wool on the roof of a non-residential premises. To do this, you will need material in the form of slabs, which are laid on a floor made of concrete or wood. This procedure is simple and does not require bending the rafters. For these purposes, it is best to use rigid slabs with maximum density.

Please note that this procedure also requires adjusting the seams. To ensure complete thermal insulation, slab material with a thickness of 250 mm is sufficient.

There is practically no space for attic space on it, therefore, only insulation is located on such a roof. To insulate ventilated roofs, it is necessary to follow the same technology as when insulating a non-residential roof. A layer of insulation 250 mm thick is installed on the floor; if the roof is unventilated, then a vapor barrier film is laid before the thermal insulation. Next, mineral wool is installed; dowels are used to fix the insulation. In addition, it is possible to use bitumen mastic, which improves the adhesion between mineral wool and the surface. Roofing felt is laid on top of the covering.

It is most difficult to install mineral wool on a pitched roof with a rafter structure. In this case, the consumption of material and the time for its installation increases significantly. Thermal insulation material is laid on the sheathing between the elements of the rafter system.

Please note that the wool should have a high density, but should not be too heavy, as it will load the roof structure. To cover joints, cotton wool should be laid in two or three layers. Installation of mineral wool should be carried out at temperatures up to 22 degrees, humidity about 35% and in the absence of any kind of drafts.

Technology of roof insulation with mineral wool: insulation methods

To obtain a high-quality insulated roof using mineral wool, you should carefully calculate the thickness, type and amount of material. In addition, it is necessary to comply with all technological features of this process.

In order to reduce heat loss in the room, a number of actions should be taken:

insulate the attic - this particular room acts as a barrier that does not allow warm air to leave the rooms; if insulation is not carried out in the attic, then all the heat will fall on it, even with a well-insulated roof, the rooms will be cool;
insulate the roof - insulated roof is the second stage, which protects the building from heat losses, please note that high-quality insulation requires strict adherence to all the rules and instructions that are specified in the instructions for insulating materials.

Mineral wool for roofing: attic insulation

For the manufacture of interfloor, including attic, reinforced concrete slabs or load-bearing beams are used. In the first case, the insulation is located directly on the surface of the slabs, and in the second - in the space between the beams.

Please note that for high-quality insulation, you first need to lay a vapor barrier material, which will help protect the insulation from steam and moisture. When installing a vapor barrier, carefully read the instructions for its use. Since the vapor barrier film is characterized by one-sided functionality, its incorrect installation will lead to failure to fulfill its functions.

In addition, it is possible to use sawdust for roof insulation. This material is used in combination with clay, sand, cement and even lime. The solution perfectly insulates the roof, provides the room with a healthy microclimate, and also has an antiseptic effect.

In addition, expanded clay, an artificial material that has a large number of pores that perform the function of insulation, is widely used as insulation for the attic.

These methods will require less money, although the quality is in no way inferior to mineral wool. The feasibility of a particular insulation method should be selected based on the materials from which the building is constructed, its area, height and other individual parameters.

How to insulate a roof with mineral wool: pitched roof

To insulate the roof with mineral wool, you will need to build a so-called “warm multi-layer structure”. It consists of hydro-steam and heat-insulating materials. The pitched part of this roof consists of a multi-layer cake, which is installed both outside and inside the roof.

To increase the efficiency of roof insulation, a number of actions should be taken:

install a vapor barrier that can prevent air that is too saturated with moisture from entering the under-roof space;
the main material is mineral wool, preferably stone wool;
in order to protect the entire system from moisture and atmospheric influences, it is recommended to install waterproofing;
to form a ventilation gap, a counter-grid is filled, which also removes condensation;
Next, the roofing finishing material is directly installed.

Do-it-yourself roof insulation with mineral wool from the inside

In order to avoid mistakes during the insulation process, read the recommendations for performing this process:

1. When insulating the roof from the inside with mineral wool, you should make sure that the insulation does not block the ventilation hole.

2. If a superdiffusion membrane is used during work, the insulation must lie very tightly on it to avoid blocking the ventilation gap.

3. When using a standard roofing film, you need to create two gaps, upper and lower.

4. Insulation slabs laid in rows must have unequal joints that do not coincide with each other.

5. For a more even fit of the insulation on the surface of the rafters, you should choose a material slightly wider than this distance.

6. Please note that thermal insulation in the form of mineral wool must fit very tightly together.

7. When choosing mineral wool as insulation, waterproofing must be installed. In addition, monitor the quality of the film connection and the absence of joints.

8. For more reliable fixation of mineral wool slabs, use self-tapping screws or wire stretched over the rafters.

How to insulate a roof with mineral wool: stages of insulation

Before starting insulation work, you should perform the following steps:

check the roofing system and all its elements - if there is dampness, defects, rotting, the damaged elements should be replaced;
use antiseptic compounds to treat the roof;
In addition, communication systems such as electricity and water supply should be checked.

It is necessary to leave a space between the roof and the insulation layer to ensure ventilation. When laying insulation on the surface of the rafters, it is possible to equip not only a thermal insulation system, but also good sound insulation.

Roof insulation is a rather complex process, during which inexperienced specialists make mistakes, which we suggest considering:

do not use materials whose width is less than the width of the space between the rafters, as the gaps will significantly increase the heat loss of the building;
It is prohibited to use thermal insulation material with high humidity, as this will lead to rotting of the wood from which the roofing system is made;
neglecting to install a vapor and waterproofing system will lead to the fact that all material costs spent on insulation will not be justified, since without these components the system will not work properly.

If you plan to insulate a residential attic space, it is recommended to use a film with a reinforced coating to improve the microclimate.

Pay special attention to the areas where the ceiling and walls meet. If there are cornices in the room, they should also be insulated. If there are difficult areas, the film is fixed using a stapler.

Roof insulation with mineral wool, Construction portal

Insulation The roof insulation procedure is a fairly important process, which can significantly prevent heat loss not only in the attic, but throughout the entire house. One of the most

Instructions for insulating a roof with mineral wool with your own hands

When deciding to insulate a roof, questions inevitably arise regarding the choice of material. One of the most popular is mineral wool. This insulation has been used in construction for quite a long time and is not losing its position. It is made in the form of a roll or plates with different thicknesses. After studying these instructions, you can do the insulation of the roof with mineral wool yourself.

Features of mineral wool

It is not for nothing that mineral wool is very popular as insulation. This material is easy to work with and has a number of advantages, including:

low thermal conductivity;
combustion resistance;
environmental friendliness;
resistance to aggressive environments;
high level of heat saving;
good noise absorption;
hydrophobicity. This property manifests itself as resistance to wetting; You cannot rely only on the hydrophobic qualities of mineral wool. It is imperative to take measures to protect the under-roof space from moisture. When wet, any insulation will reduce its effectiveness by a couple of times.

high resistance to deformation;
ease of installation;
length of service life.

Unlike foam plastic, careless transportation of the material will not lead to damage. And thanks to the softness of mineral wool, it is easy to install.

Despite similar insulation procedures, mineral wool differs from ecowool, which appeared on the construction market not so long ago, which is an insulator characterized by friability and light weight. Ecowool contains cellulose, antiseptics and boric acid.

Instructions for insulating a pitched roof

The entire installation process can be divided into several stages of work:

Instructions for insulating a flat roof

All flat roofs are divided into ventilated and non-ventilated. Let's consider both types.

Ventilated flat roof

The process of insulating it is similar to the scheme for working with non-residential premises in the attic. This roof design ensures a minimum distance between the slope and the ceiling, which makes it difficult to move in the under-roof space and reduces the functions of the room to technical ones only.

Mineral wool slabs 20 cm thick are suitable for work. The material is laid on the floor of the attic. Dowels are used as fastening elements. In addition to the mechanical installation method, it is possible to use glue or hot mastic, but the latter method has not gained much popularity. For proper operation of the insulation, it is necessary to place the construction film under it in one layer.

Stages of work

First, the condition of the entire roofing pie is checked. Damaged elements must be replaced.
To further insulate the attic, it is possible to lay a layer of mineral wool on top of the existing one.
Before installing mineral wool slabs, you should clean the surface of the floor that will be insulated. When using reinforced concrete floor slabs, a vapor barrier is not necessary, because concrete does not allow moisture to pass through.
The beams must also be insulated or covered with insulating materials, or mats must be laid (rolled insulation can be used) between the beams. But before this, it is necessary to install a vapor barrier layer.
When using foil material, installation is carried out by placing the slabs with the foil down.
A ventilation gap must be left near the cornice.

Unventilated flat roof

Concrete slabs or wood are used as the base, depending on the material from which the house is built. The peculiarity of this type of roof is the absence of any gap between the roof and the ceiling. Therefore, it is necessary to install mineral wool directly on the base.

Stages of work

The vapor barrier film is laid on the base of the roof.
After this, you can begin laying mineral wool slabs. It is recommended to do this with a checkerboard arrangement of the material so that the joints are not located along the same line. The slabs must be fitted tightly together. The most suitable thickness of the thermal insulation layer is 25 cm.
Next, roofing felt is laid on top of the mineral wool slabs.

An unventilated flat roof can have various types of thermal insulation:

Single layer. For this purpose, hard mineral wool slabs are used, which have increased strength. But their thermal insulation qualities are not great.
Two layer system. For this purpose, elastic plates are suitable for forming the first row, and harder ones are used for the second. In this way, a structure is obtained in which the bottom layer exhibits excellent thermal insulation qualities, and the top layer helps to compensate for the sensitivity of the first row to various mechanical damage. The material used is basalt mineral wool.
Mixed two-layer system. This option is similar in design to the previous one, but differs in the use of two types of mineral wool slabs. Glass wool is used for the bottom layer, and basalt wool is used for the top layer.

Do-it-yourself roof insulation with mineral wool: technology, methods, etc.

How to insulate a roof with mineral wool yourself. Features of performing work with pitched and flat roofs

The need for roof insulation

There are two fundamental technologies for insulating a roof from the inside:

Laying insulation on the roof between the frame rafters;
Laying insulation above the rafters.

Each technology for roof insulation with mineral wool will be considered in more detail.

Types of insulation

Roof insulation can be performed with the following types of mineral wool:

Glass wool. This heat-insulating material contains glass fiber with a thickness of no more than 15 microns. Glass wool can be produced in rolls, slabs or mats. The characteristics of this insulation are impressive: excellent thermal insulation properties, good fire resistance and complete resistance to biological factors. The material, produced in the form of slabs, is quite convenient and very easy to install. Glass wool can easily be classified as a budget insulation material if you take a closer look at the cost of alternative heat insulators. The main disadvantage of this material is its ability to cause irritation upon contact with open areas of the human body, so it is necessary to work with it only in a full set of personal protective equipment.
Basalt (stone) wool. This material also contains fibers, but here they are represented by a natural mineral - basalt. Additional components include some carbonate rocks, bentonite clay and several other composites. Basalt wool is completely non-flammable, has excellent thermal insulation properties and is resistant to mold and mildew. The structure of this material is not so strong, and its price is about 1.5-2 times higher than glass wool, but safety and ease of installation have done their job - and therefore basalt wool is in much greater demand.

Installation of mineral wool between the rafters from the inside of the roof

Before you insulate the roof of a house from the inside with your own hands, you need to understand the options for installing thermal insulation. When laying thermal insulation material from the inside of a roof structure, the simplest option would be to install it in the space between the rafters. True, this method is only relevant if the thickness of the insulating layer does not exceed the width of the rafters, otherwise you will have to do combined thermal insulation of the roof.

Insulating the roof with mineral wool from the inside in this case will look like this:

The first step is to take a building level and measure the lower level of the rafters, which should be uniform along the entire perimeter of the frame. If there are deviations from the level, it is necessary to align all the rafters so that they run along the same line.
A waterproofing film must be laid in advance on top of the rafters, which protects the insulation from moisture. If this film was not used when installing the roof, then it will no longer be possible to lay it, so the thermal insulation will be without proper protection.
Mineral wool is cut into suitable pieces. When installing insulation between the rafter legs, the material is fixed due to the bursting force, so the cut elements should be 2-3 cm wider than the distance between the rafters. When laying the material in two layers, you need to ensure that the joints of one layer do not coincide with the joints of the other.
The next step is adjusting the vapor barrier. Cut membrane strips are installed above the insulation to protect it from moisture and air. The vapor barrier membrane is installed parallel to the roof slope and fixed with a construction stapler.
The last stage is covering the insulation, for which plasterboard, plywood or edged boards are usually used. In the future, the cladding will act as a support for the decorative finishing of the attic walls.

Insulation of the roof with mineral wool along the rafters is carried out according to the following algorithm:

The first steps exactly repeat the installation algorithm between the rafters - the installation step of the rafter legs is measured, after which the insulation is cut so that it can be mounted by surprise. When using rolled material, you need to let it lie flat for a while.
During installation, the edges of the slabs are folded inward, and after installing the insulation, they are straightened.
A vapor barrier is attached to the rafters using a stapler. The rules are still the same: strips of material are laid with a slight overlap so that steam does not pass through the joints.
Slats are nailed horizontally to the rafters, the thickness of which should exceed the thickness of the insulation by 1-2 cm. The distance between the slats should be sufficient for laying heat-insulating boards.
Mineral wool is placed between the stuffed slats. When laying, you need to ensure that the joints of the material do not coincide with the joints of the previous layer.
The final stage is the outer cladding, for which any finishing material can be used.

This roof insulation technology is considered the most effective, therefore, when deciding how to properly insulate a roof with mineral wool, you should give preference to this option.

Conclusion

Master of Architecture, graduated from Samara State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. 11 years of experience in design and construction.

What is mineral wool

Mineral wool is a fairly common material that is available in several types. The first classification is based on the origin of the raw materials. There are three types of mineral wool:

basalt;
glass;
slag.

The most commonly used material is basalt fiber. In addition, the division occurs according to the shape of the insulation. It is produced in two types:

in rolls;
hard slabs.

Pros and cons of the material

Table with the characteristics of mineral wool

Roof insulation with mineral wool has the following positive properties:

high heat-protective characteristics;
strength and durability;
resistance to biological influences (mold, fungus, rodents);
resistance to fire and high temperatures, which is especially important when ensuring the fire safety of a wooden house;
when insulated from the inside, the slabs hold quite well without additional fastening (during operation, the bottom sheathing becomes an additional holding element);
Do-it-yourself thermal protection with mineral wool ensures free movement of air through the material, this has a beneficial effect on the microclimate of the premises of the house.

It must be remembered that protecting the pitched roof of a house with mineral wool has its own characteristics and disadvantages:

DIY installation requires special clothing, gloves and a mask, since fiber particles getting on the skin and lungs cause itching and irritation;
a sufficiently high degree of water absorption of mineral wool requires the mandatory presence of vapor barrier and waterproofing;
When insulating a house with mineral wool, it is important to remember that it weighs more than, for example, polystyrene foam or penoplex.

Calculation of insulation thickness and rafter height

The ratio of the thickness of mineral wool and the height of the rafters

You can perform a full thickness calculation without special skills. To do this, you will need to install the Teremok PC application or use the online version.

The program is a fairly simple calculator that can calculate the required insulation thickness or check the already accepted one.

Technology of roof insulation with mineral wool from the inside

The process of roof insulation with mineral wool

To increase the thermal insulation capacity of the roof structure from the inside using mineral wool, it is necessary to prepare the following materials:

insulation;
vapor barrier;
waterproofing;
wind protection

Recently, diffusion moisture- and wind-proof membranes are often used, which combine two functions.

To ensure the comfort of the house and its normal operation, the layers of the roofing cake should be arranged in the following order from bottom to top:

covering the ceiling from the inside of the room;
bottom sheathing;
vapor barrier;
rafter legs;
insulation between rafters;
waterproofing;
sheathing;
roofing covering.

There are other options for fixing mineral wool material: from below the rafters from inside the room or from above. Such methods are used extremely rarely.

Layers of roofing cake with mineral wool

Safety precautions

When independently insulating the roof of a house from the inside with mineral wool, the following precautions must be observed:

the room should be well ventilated;
cutting tools are used as sharp as possible to reduce the crumbling of mineral fibers;
workers must have gloves and a mask that will prevent particles of material from entering the skin and lungs;
After completing the work, it is strongly recommended to immediately change clothes, thoroughly wash your hands, and then wash your face with cold water.

When fiber particles come into contact with the skin, redness and itching appear. To avoid unpleasant sensations, it is enough to follow safety precautions.

The use of mineral wool in construction is very wide. This material is most often used for roofs, since it fits best between the rafters and has many other positive characteristics.

Pitched roof structures in which a warm room is supposed to be installed (an attic or attic, for example) require mandatory thermal insulation. When choosing insulation materials that protect the roof from bad weather, mineral wool is the most popular. Insulating the roof with mineral wool is an option used by many.

Internal insulation of roof structures is carried out with such types of insulation that are optimally suited for the roof covering used in construction.

Choosing mineral wool for roof insulation

Known varieties of mineral wool differ in the type of source (raw material) material, according to which they are divided into the following types:

basalt insulation;
glass mineral wool;
slag-based thermal insulation products.

On a note

Mineral wool also differs in the form of the ready-to-use material (it is usually produced in the form of rolls or rigid slabs).

Let us consider the characteristics of each of these types of thermal insulation material from the point of view of their compliance with the requirements for the quality of insulation of various types of roofing coverings.

Basalt insulation

Stone or basalt material is well suited for insulating roofs made of metal tiles, ondulin or slate, under which a small attic-type living space is built. The main advantage of basalt insulation, the slabs of which are completely inaccessible to moisture, is the possibility of using it in damp climates.

This material is quite flexible and durable, which allows it to withstand any mechanical deformation that occurs when rafters dry, for example. It has excellent longevity and retains its protective properties for approximately 40-50 years.

Glass wool

Glass wool is made from microscopic glass fibers no more than 15 microns thick and is available in the form of rolls, mats or rigid slabs. Insulation of this class has the following advantages:

high thermal insulation performance;
fire resistance;
reliable protection from mold and mildew.

Glass wool blanks are elastic and durable, which greatly simplifies their independent installation under roof vaults. And the cost per square meter of this insulation is quite small (on average it is 140-160 rubles).

The disadvantages of this material include:

the danger of microparticles of insulation for the human respiratory tract and the need to work with it only in a respirator or gauze bandage;
significant shrinkage of glass wool slabs or rolls during their long-term use;
high hygroscopicity of the material (ability to absorb moisture).

Despite the indicated disadvantages, glass wool is widely used for internal insulation of pitched roofs with such types of protective coatings as slate, metal tiles and others.

Slag-based mineral wool

The material made from blast furnace slag can be used for insulating soft roofs, as well as ondulin and slate roofings mounted on rafter sheathing.

This type of mineral wool fully meets the requirements for thermal insulation materials and has all their inherent properties. Its advantages include:

reduced thermal conductivity;
good vapor permeability combined with a low level of hygroscopicity;
relatively low flammability index;
good soundproofing characteristics.

In addition, slag-based insulation material is resistant to deformation and is able to perform its protective functions for a long time (up to 50 years).

With all its advantages, this type of insulation is noticeably inferior in terms of quality to all previously listed types of mineral wool and is used quite rarely.

Features of installation (laying) between rafters

In cases where insulation is organized from the side of the under-roof space, it is more convenient to lay thermal insulation material between the rafters.

On a note

This installation method is usually used when the thickness of the plates or rolled layer of insulation is comparable to the cross-section of the rafters themselves. If this condition is not met, insulation is organized according to a combined scheme, which involves laying several layers of heat-insulating material (including along the rafters).

To insulate the roof using this technology, you will need the following tools and materials:

a mounting knife for cutting mineral wool in rolls or a hacksaw for metal used for forming solid slabs;
measuring devices (tape tape and building level);
stepladder (for ease of laying the top layers);
vapor barrier, waterproofing and finishing materials.

The procedure for installing mineral wool blanks between the rafters looks like this:

1 First, using a long strip with a level, the location of the lower sections of the rafter legs in the laying plane is determined. If deviations from it are detected, it is necessary to align the “failed” elements by building them up. The main goal of this operation is to ensure that all rafters are located in the same plane. 2 After leveling them, the rolled or slab material is cut into pieces of the required size using a knife or hacksaw (taking into account the spaces between the rafters) and placed in niches.

If thermal insulation is not laid in one layer, the slabs are positioned so that the joints in different layers do not coincide.

3 Since the insulation is installed according to the “by surprise” principle, the width of the cut blanks should exceed the distance between the rafters by about 2-3 cm. 4 For greater reliability, the laid mats or slabs are fixed from below with slatted lathing, stuffed directly along the rafters. 5 Next, the fixed heat insulator is covered with a vapor barrier material, which can be an ordinary polyethylene film or a special membrane. These materials are fixed to the sheathing slats using a construction stapler. 6 Drywall or plywood (less commonly, lining) is sewn on top of the film, which can later be used for decorative finishing. 7 At the final stage, a layer of waterproofing is added to the resulting roofing pie on the roof side, providing protection for the heat insulator from bad weather.

Installation of insulation on rafters
The above-rafter method of laying insulation involves the following order of installation operations:

first, a sheathing of thin slats is laid on the upper cut of the rafters, on which the mineral wool blanks are then laid;

on the lower section of the rafters, another sheathing is mounted from the same slats, onto which a vapor barrier film is attached using a stapler (the remaining niches between the rafters form ventilated spaces);

Finishing material (plasterboard or plywood) is then stuffed on top of the film;

A layer of waterproofing is laid on top of the cotton wool, fixed by any method available for the given roofing structure.

In conclusion, we note that when organizing insulation work, one should not forget about the ventilation of internal spaces, which ensures the operational durability of the entire roofing pie. This problem can be solved by taking into account the design features of the rafter system, in which there are always free cavities and niches.