Which insulation is best for... Insulation of a private house. We are looking for a universal insulation. Mineral wool: pros and cons

The use of thermal insulation systems in building structures allows you to significantly reduce heating costs. The use of all kinds of insulation makes it possible to speed up the pace of construction and reduce the budget for building a house. In order for them to cope with their responsibilities, you need to know how to choose them. Do you agree?

We will tell you how to choose the right insulation for the exterior walls of your home. The article we presented describes all types of thermal insulation materials used in practice and their operating features. Independent owners of country estates will find facade insulation technology here.

Heat loss through walls averages about 40%, depending on the integrity of the structure and the thickness of the wall. With rising prices for gas and electricity, it becomes unacceptable to spend money on heating the street.

Therefore, it is necessary to insulate the walls from the outside, which provides the following advantages:

thermal insulation of the house from the outside does not take away the useful area of the living space indoors;
the insulation layer performs decorative and protective functions for walls, extending their service life;
walls insulated from the outside do not freeze and are not saturated with moisture from steam, as with internal insulation;
Thermal insulation materials also perform a soundproofing function.

But the main reason for insulating the facade of a house is still economic, because this simple procedure can almost halve the amount in receipts for heating.

To correctly select a material designed to reduce heat loss, you need. Our recommended article will introduce you to its examples and formulas.

Types of insulation materials

So what is the best way to insulate a house from the outside to reduce heat loss? Manufacturers offer many materials suitable for these purposes. But there are several main types. These include: polystyrene foam, basalt wool, glass wool, extruded expanded polystyrene, mineral wool and others.

Less effective way Insulation is considered to be the application of a layer of plaster to the outer part of the walls. This inexpensive way reducing heat loss, but it requires experience and certain skills - just desire will not be enough.

External wall insulation requires certain professional skills from the performer. They will be useful both when choosing a material and during its installation.

Wooden houses are often insulated using a double frame. In this case, any of the listed materials is attached to the walls, and cladding is done on top. At the same time, an air “cushion” remains between the insulation and the decorative layers for air ventilation.

Option No. 1 - polystyrene foam

Expanded polystyrene has gained the greatest popularity among thermal insulation materials. First of all, this is due to its low cost. Distinctive feature The insulation is also low weight.

Other advantages of the material:

low thermal conductivity;
affordable price;
long service life.

One of the disadvantages is that foam does not allow steam to pass through. This feature does not allow it to be used for insulation. wooden houses.

Among other disadvantages, the most significant is that polystyrene foam is a flammable material that emits substances harmful to humans during combustion. In addition, the fragility of the material, which leads to damage to the insulation even with minor mechanical stress, significantly complicates its installation.

Foam insulation is an excellent way to reduce heat loss, both in a private house and in an apartment or industrial enterprise, and for quite little money

Option No. 2 – mineral wool

This material also enjoys well-deserved popularity among owners of residential and non-residential premises.

Advantages of mineral wool:

high vapor permeability that doesn't let you rot wooden structures, and the bricks are not saturated with moisture, which prevents the appearance of mold and fungi on the surface of the walls;
low cost;
light weight of the mats, which makes it easier to work with them and reduces transportation costs;
the material is not flammable, there are no toxic odors;
long service life.

Mineral wool There are three types: slag wool, glass wool and stone (aka basalt). Each material has its own characteristics.

Most suitable for residential buildings Basalt wool is considered, since it is made from safe raw materials, unlike glass wool. At the same time, the material is stronger and more durable than slag wool. But the high cost of basalt wool is its disadvantage.

Mineral wool, made in the form of mats, is the most practical option for insulating low walls and small rooms. And anyone who has at least a little knowledge of construction can handle its installation.

Modern glass wool is considered safe to use. Unlike the material of the same name, manufactured ten years ago, it does not irritate the respiratory tract. It can be used to insulate not only external, but also internal walls and ceilings.

It is easy to install and lightweight. Can be purchased in rolls or slabs. Roll material it is more expedient to buy for insulation long walls. Glass wool slabs are suitable for small walls.

The following advantages of the material are highlighted:

does not absorb moisture from the air;
no toxic odors;
does not ignite;
does not change shape during use;
high performance vapor permeability;
good sound insulation properties;
does not interact with chemicals;
can be used in all climatic zones of the planet.

In some cases, rolled glass wool will cost less than that made in the form of slabs. To cut it, you can use ordinary sharpened knives.

The material does not have many disadvantages. Among them:

when insulating walls with glass wool, you need to work in protective gloves and glasses;
the fragility of the fibers of the material, due to which a lot of synthetic substance is in the air during installation and interferes with safe breathing.

Despite the fact that modern insulation material is an order of magnitude more environmentally friendly and safer for humans, if there is a significant amount of polymer particles in the air, it is better to use a respirator.

In some cases, rolled glass wool will cost less than that made in the form of slabs. To cut it, you can use regular sharpened knives.

Option #3 – uh extruded expanded polystyrene

This material is made from ordinary foam plastic.

After special processing, it receives the following benefits:

increased compressive strength;
low moisture absorption;
low flammability or its complete impossibility, which depends on the amount of fire retardant substance;
reduced thermal conductivity.

For such material you will need to pay a higher price than for regular foam. But more durable and reliable.

Another disadvantage is the smooth surface of the material slab. Because of this, solutions do not “set” with it, so without preliminary preparation surfaces such foam cannot be used in construction " wet facade».

You will need to sand the smooth side with fine sandpaper to give it a rough surface. Additionally, you can apply a layer of adhesive primer, which will increase the penetration of the solution into the insulating material.

Option No. 4 - bulk insulation

Bulk materials can also be used for external thermal insulation.

Among them, the most popular are:

vermiculite;
perlite crushed stone;
expanded clay

Vermiculite can be used not only to insulate walls outside the room, but also from the inside. They insulate sewer and water pipes, floors, attics, foundation. It can be produced in the form of slabs. There are technologies by which this material is added to concrete or mortars.

Vermiculite – natural material, does not emit harmful toxic odors. Its advantages are: durability, lightness, fire resistance, low thermal conductivity and sound absorption. It also does not absorb moisture.

To insulate the outer wall, bulk material can be added to building mixture or fall asleep between the main wall and a decorative one, built on a foundation made of facing bricks. This method is more expensive, as it requires expanding the foundation. An additional load on the foundation slab is also expected.

Vermiculite is sold in paper bags, usually 25 kg. This is very convenient during transportation, because for delivery you can use your own passenger transport.

Perlite, depending on the fractions, can be of different sizes. It is also used to insulate roofs and floors. It is a volcanic glass-like rock that has no odor. Widely used not only in construction, but also in metallurgy and agriculture.

Advantages of the material:

porous structure;
low cost;
easily absorbs and releases moisture without losing its qualities;
fire resistance;
low thermal conductivity.

A perlite layer of just 3 cm has the same thermal insulation efficiency as brickwork 25 cm wide.

Expanded clay– granular porous material obtained artificially. When several components are burned (peat, intumescent clay, diesel oil, sawdust, sulfate-alcohol stillage), fusible raw materials are obtained. It is foamed and heat treated to give it its final shape.

To save on purchasing expanded clay, you need to buy it from the manufacturer. Of course, this is not always convenient, but there is a guarantee that the material is really high quality

The material is sold in fractions from 2 mm to 40 mm. Expanded clay from 10 mm to 20 mm is considered the most popular. They are the ones who need to fill the space between the walls – the main and decorative ones.

A layer of only 100 mm replaces 1000 mm of brickwork in terms of thermal conductivity. In frosty weather, insulation will prevent the house from losing a lot of heat, and in summer heat– will keep the room cool due to its extremely low thermal conductivity.

Advantages of wall insulation with expanded clay:

this is one of the cheapest insulation materials;
reduction in heat loss reaches 75%;
can be used for any outside temperature and humidity;
long service life;
there is no burning or rotting of the material;
expanded clay does not attract insects and rodents;
You can insulate a house yourself, as it does not require high technical skills or special tools.

In the layer between decorative and load-bearing wall Expanded clay can be poured in pure form, or mixed with cement. The proportion is 1:10 - one part cement and ten parts expanded clay. You will need a concrete mixer and water to dissolve the cement. The prepared mixture is poured into the empty space between the walls.

This is what a cement mixture with expanded clay looks like, which can be poured as insulation between two walls. Of course, insulation cement mixture quite a long process, but worth it

You can also do it differently: first pour expanded clay to a height of 300 mm, and then saturate it with the prepared cement “milk”. Then add insulation again. And repeat this until the height of the insulation reaches the desired level.

Any of the methods will not worsen thermal insulation properties material.

Facade insulation technologies

There are three main technologies for facade insulation:

"well" method- construction of a multilayer wall;
"wet" method- under covering with plaster;
"dry" method- “ventilated facade” technology.

Depending on what you choose, you should select thermal insulation materials suitable for implementation.

"Wet" method represents the application finishing coating on a layer of insulation in the form plaster mixture. Since the mixture is rich in moisture, it is necessary to use only materials that do not absorb water. Polystyrene foam is best suited for this, but mineral wool can also be used.

Depending on the strength of the wall and the integrity of the brickwork, the plaster system can be “light” or “heavy”. In the first case, the main goal is to reduce the weight of the thermal insulation layer.

The insulation is fixed to the wall with glue and dowels. From the outside it is protected by a metal profile made of thin aluminum. Only a thin decorative layer of plaster is applied to it to level the surface of the wall and give it a finished visual appearance.

In a “heavy” system, the insulation is fixed with metal anchors and pressed down with reinforcing mesh. A 5-5.5 cm layer of plaster is applied on top. This design is reliably protected from temperature changes and moisture.

With the “dry” method Insulation plaster is not used at all. The insulation is fixed to the wall with glue and mounting umbrellas. In this case, it is ideal, for which telescopic fasteners with wide caps and other mounting elements are specially produced.

WITH outside the insulation is protected by a membrane layer, the main task which is to provide protection from atmospheric water. The membrane is fixed with spacer metal or wooden slats, forming a ventilation gap between the thermal insulation and the sheathing.

The gap width is up to 5 cm. The cladding layer can be made of various panels: wood, steel. It can also be half-brick masonry, tiles or siding. This method of insulation is more durable, unlike the “wet” one, and can reach a service life of half a century.

Using multilayer technology the surface is insulated with two more layers: insulation and an outer wall made of brick. This method of insulation was described above. Various bulk materials that are resistant to steam, condensation and moisture (expanded clay, perlite, etc.) are suitable for it.

To choose the right insulation, you need to take into account several more factors that may affect the quality of the work performed.

Condition of walls and foundation. If the house is old and the foundation or brickwork are already cracked, then it is necessary to abandon heavy insulating structures. In this case, it is best to install lungs and durable materials. It is better to attach them using special adhesives.

Architectural complexity of the building. Polystyrene foam and mineral wool are well processed and make it possible to provide reliable insulation of walls with recesses, patterns and other decorative elements.

Resistance to insects and rodents. Often, small rodents and insects, such as mice or ants, can make nests under a layer of thermal insulation.

If there is such a problem on the site, then it would be advisable to carry out insulation using bulk materials. Expanded clay is good because it does not attract animals.

It is also necessary to take into account other factors, such as the price of insulation, features of its installation, wall material, impact on the environment, fire resistance, etc.

If you plan to install a thermal insulation system from the inside of the house, it is worth reading, which describes in detail the materials and methods of their use.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

To avoid common mistakes when choosing materials for insulation, we recommend watching the following videos:

With all the diversity available materials and insulation methods, you can always choose the most suitable one. Despite the fact that some work seems easy to perform, it is still better to entrust it to for experienced builders and heating engineers.

Would you like to talk about how you selected insulation for furnishing your own country house? Do you have information that will be useful to site visitors? Please write comments, ask questions about controversial or interesting points, post photos in the block below.

When most of the housing stock was built, no one thought about keeping warm, much less saving. So it turns out that our “Stalin”, “Brezhnev”, “Czech” and all other housing is far from energy-saving technologies. Corner apartments, apartments on the first and top floors For a long time they were generally considered cold. Moisture, cold, dust enter through the cracks, interpanel seams and even walls. To avoid all this and provide yourself with comfortable living conditions, you need to think about insulating your home sooner or later. Let's review the insulation materials offered by the construction market.

On modern market building materials are presented different types thermal insulation for walls. The right choice will ensure warmth in winter and coolness in summer. This is achieved by reducing heat loss and eliminating drafts. Also, in a properly insulated room there will be no dampness and mold, and the microclimate will be healthy. Remember the following properties that thermal insulation must meet:

low thermal conductivity;
soundproofing;
fire resistance;
environmental Safety;
durability;
waterproof;
breathability;
biostability.

When choosing, it is worth considering what material the house is built from, how many floors it has, in what climatic zone you live.

So, insulation for walls frame house And wooden house(mezhventsovogo) – this is not the same thing. In the first case, polystyrene foam is suitable, mineral wool slabs, glass wool, penoizol, in the second - ordinary tow, jute, linen felt.

Materials can be organic or inorganic. The first group includes cellulose fiber, wood, rubber, cork, felt, moss, jute or tow. Fibrous (glass wool, mineral wool) or cellular (expanded polystyrene, polyurethane foam, penoizol, etc.) insulation materials, liquid ceramics are inorganic materials. Organic ones are more environmentally friendly, but they are not as functional or durable as mildew-resistant polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam. Development and testing in this industry continues and new types of wall insulation are emerging. Thus, liquid insulation for walls is gaining increasing popularity. Let's look at how different types differ, their advantages and disadvantages.

Mineral wool: pros and cons

Construction of a frame from metal profiles

Mineral wool is one of the most common fibrous thermal insulation materials. Mineral wool is produced by heat treatment and pressing of metallurgical slag or basalt. The fibrous structure traps air, thereby forming a barrier to cold penetration and heat loss. Mineral wool comes in the form of slabs and continuous sheets in rolls. It is used for both inside and outside.

Properties are ensured due to low thermal conductivity. The advantage of this material is its breathability, durability, soundproofing properties, fire resistance, and environmental friendliness.

Installation is a rather troublesome process. On the one hand, the slabs tolerate deformation well, on the other hand, it is necessary to use separate protective equipment to ensure safety.

The thickness, when used indoors, narrows the existing space, which is undoubtedly a disadvantage. The water permeability of mineral wool can lead to the fact that over time it will become wet from condensation and fungus will appear in it. To prevent this from happening, the material must be additionally waterproofed.

Technical properties of glass wool

Morally obsolete glass wool is now used extremely rarely

Glass wool is also a fibrous insulation material, the most proven of all, as it has been used for a very long time. It is formed by melting sand, soda, dolomites, limestones, borax or glass production waste. It is produced in slabs and rolls, and compressed for transportation.

Thin, sharp and brittle fibers of glass wool are dangerous both in direct contact and inhalation of air with glass wool fragments. Therefore, when using it, it is important to provide yourself with goggles, a respirator, and gloves. Manufacturers claim that modern views glass wool is safe for humans.

It does not burn, has good heat and sound insulation properties. It can be used to insulate all types of roofs, internal partitions and external walls. It is cheaper than most analogues, but is more susceptible to shrinkage and crumbling.

Characteristics of cellulose insulation

Application of cellulose

This is one of the newest materials, it is environmentally friendly and functional. This type of insulation is produced from cellulose production residues. Suitable for both outdoor and internal insulation— it is blown under drywall and magnesite boards.

It is breathable, which is the positive side. What’s worse is that it is permeable to water, susceptible to mold, and fire hazards. To get rid of such shortcomings, antiseptics are added to the cellulose base to increase biostability and fire retardants to reduce flammability.

Advantages of expanded polystyrene (foam)

A wall covered with foam plastic will provide a significant reduction in heat loss

Expanded polystyrene is produced by foaming polystyrene at high temperatures. This is a white rustling material, which is characterized by water and air tightness, noise and heat insulation properties, light weight, and ease of installation. He is not afraid of bacteria, fungi and mold, and he is not afraid of bad weather conditions. Just 8 cm of expanded polystyrene can replace 1.7 m of brick wall, 25 cm wooden wall or 9 cm mineral wool.

It is produced in slabs, which... used for interior walls, balconies, attics and house facades. Expanded polystyrene, due to its strength, does not tend to sag. This is one of the cheapest insulation materials.

Extruded polystyrene foam

In order to obtain such a material, polystyrene granules are melted at high temperatures, then squeezed out of an extruder and foamed. It turns out even more durable, durable, air- and waterproof than foam plastic. He communicates well with different coatings walls (plaster, concrete, brick). At the same time, it is completely incompatible with resins and organic solvents.

Fibrolite

The walls are insulated from the inside with fiberboard; installation of the slabs will require laying a waterproofing layer and plaster.

Fiberboard is obtained after drying and compressing wood shavings by mixing them with a binder. It can be Portland cement or magnesium salts. The slabs obtained in this way are made of natural material, and protective layer prevents biological effects (fungus, mold, insects) and water resistance. In order for it to retain its properties longer, additional waterproofing will be required. If the humidity exceeds 35%, then sooner or later it will begin to deteriorate. Additional plastering will increase durability. Fiberboard is easy to process and install.

Eco-friendly cork materials

Cork insulation for walls is not cheap, but the most long-term option

Cork panels are one of the most environmentally friendly materials. It consists of the smallest cells (40 million per 1 cubic cm), has strength, breathability, and the necessary (low) thermal conductivity.

Produced by granulating raw materials, heating them to 400°C and pressing them into blocks. Their thickness can be 10-320 mm.

Such panels are lightweight, resistant to mechanical pressure, do not shrink. The material is very durable and functional. It also soundproofs the room. And his appearance allows you to use it even for interior decoration.

Liquid insulation is becoming relevant. This is already a new generation tool. Even in the most inaccessible places, liquid ceramics will help get rid of drafts and heat loss. The paste-like suspension consists of closed spheres and is applied to previously cleaned brick, concrete, wood, metal, cardboard or plastic surface. The color of the material is gray or white.

At the same time, ceramic insulation is easy to apply, it is safe, does not burn, and does not lead to a reduction in the size of the room. Such insulation is also air and waterproof. After it dries, an elastic coating forms on the wall. Thin walls made of brick needs to be processed at least 5-6 times. Ceramic insulator is not cheap (its consumption per 1 layer is 1 ln 4 sq.), but it will last a very long time. You will have to forget about insulation for a quarter of a century. That's what the manufacturers promise.

Insulation with liquid foam plastic

Another option for liquid heat insulation is cast foam, called penoizol. It is poured from hoses between walls, into cracks, and formwork during the construction process. And this option is almost 2 times cheaper than all the others. It is resistant to biological organisms, breathable, does not burn well, and is durable. Its properties are 8% better than those of foam plastic, and 12% better than those of glass wool. But its service life is up to 50 years.

Knowing the beneficial properties of all materials, you can use them by skillfully combining them. Insulate the walls with foam plastic or mineral wool, in hard to reach places pour penoizol, and small area treat under the windowsill with liquid ceramics.

A properly insulated house will not only make living in it comfortable and cozy, but will also save money on heating the house. It is necessary to insulate floors, external walls, interfloor ceilings and the roof. More than a third of all heat loss occurs through the roof, because warm air, according to the laws of physics, rises and tends to leak through the ceiling and roof to the outside. Therefore, special attention should be paid to roof insulation.

There are several types of roof insulation. They differ in composition, density, shape, thermal conductivity and environmental friendliness. Let's consider these types.

1. Foam-based insulation - polystyrene foam, penoizol, polyurethane foam. It is obtained from various polymers by expansion and molding. The heat-shielding properties of polystyrene foams are due to the air bubbles they contain. Air is a poor conductor of heat, so the materials containing it inside also have low thermal conductivity.

Advantages of foam insulation:

High degree of thermal protection, the thickness of polystyrene foam is 12 cm in terms of thermal conductivity. brick wall meter thick or 45 cm wooden.
Water resistance. Expanded polystyrene does not absorb moisture, but steam can penetrate between the particles of the material, both penetrating inside and leaving it.
Polystyrene foam is not susceptible to fungi, mold, or rot. Bacteria do not multiply on it.
Expanded polystyrene does not support combustion and self-extinguishes in the absence of a flame.
Polystyrene foam has high noise-insulating properties due to the presence of air bubbles in its structure.
Its low weight allows it to be used where high loads on structures are not allowed.
This material is not damaged by rodents, which plays an important role in insulating country houses.

Disadvantages of polystyrene foam:

its biggest disadvantage is that over time it can release harmful substances, especially at high temperatures. At temperatures above 80°C its use is unacceptable. Therefore, it cannot be used for thermal insulation of roofs that heat up in the sun.
second negative trait This material is susceptible to deformation during use. This chemical compound can change its properties even after manufacturing, especially if the production technology is not followed. Therefore, polystyrene foam slabs can gradually dry out and gaps form between them. Manufacturers claim that this will not happen if the polystyrene foam is sealed from exposure external factors, for example, clapboard, wood boards, or other material.

2. Insulation made of mineral wool and glass wool. They can be in the form of mats or slabs. This material is produced by melting minerals, slag or glass.

Advantages of this type of insulation:

Good thermal insulation. Thermal conductivity, depending on the type, is from 0.03 to 0.05 W/(m K).
High degree of sound insulation. Some types of these materials have the highest sound insulation rates and are recommended by the manufacturer specifically for protecting rooms from noise.
The material is not subject to rotting, mold and bacteria do not settle on it.
This non-flammable material, withstands temperatures up to 700°C.

Disadvantages of mineral insulation and glass wool materials:

Although the material from which these insulation materials are made is harmless to humans, the binders that glue mineral fibers together are no longer so harmless. In addition, the very structure of these materials allows particles of mineral dust or fiberglass to enter the air, which, if inhaled, can harm human health. And you need to wear gloves and a respirator when working with such material.
These insulation materials can absorb moisture, thereby partially losing their thermal insulation properties. Some types are supplied with special additives that make the material water resistant. To insulate the roof, it is advisable to use these types of insulation.

3. Materials made from natural fibers. These are ecowool (cellulose wool), fibreboards, mats made of coconut, cotton, hemp or flax fiber. Most of these materials are made from recycled materials (waste paper, sawdust, etc.), which improves the environment.

Positive qualities of these materials:

In terms of heat-protective and noise-protective properties, these materials are not inferior to the first two groups. Due to their fibrous structure, they retain room temperature well and do not allow noise to pass through.
These are breathable materials; they do not need to be protected with special membranes from steam penetration. Steam penetrating into them from the room is easily removed outside, while the heat-shielding properties of the material do not change.
This environmentally friendly materials, not harmful to health and creating a comfortable microclimate in the room.
Ecowool is applied to insulated structures using special equipment through pipes and fills all cavities, leaving no cracks or gaps through which heat could escape. This makes a house protected in this way even warmer.

Negative sides:

These materials are flammable, but many of them contain fire retardants that prevent combustion.
To insulate ecowool, you need appropriate equipment. Now there are enough companies ready to insulate your house using this method or rent it out. necessary equipment and material.

4. Vermiculite, ceramic foam, foam glass, perlite and other natural expanded materials. They are obtained as a result of swelling of natural minerals such as volcanic glass, perlite, clay and others.

The advantages of this group of materials:

Fire safety. These materials do not burn, do not spontaneously ignite, and can withstand high temperatures.
Safety for humans and animals. Such insulation does not emit harmful substances at any temperature.
Light weight allows it to be used for insulation of any surfaces.
Good heat and noise protection, the ability to tightly fill insulated structures without gaps or cracks.
Fungus does not appear on these materials and bacteria do not multiply. They do not rot or mold, and rodents do not grow in them.
long, almost unlimited service life. These materials will last as long as the house lasts.

Disadvantages of natural expanded insulation:

Perhaps the disadvantage is the form of release of these materials; not everyone is comfortable using loose insulation.

Based on this information, you can decide which insulation to choose for your roof.

The choice of insulation also depends on the roof design. This may be an unheated attic or attic for permanent residence, or maybe a flat roof, used or not. Which roof insulation is best for each of these options?

When insulating an unheated attic, it is not the roof that is insulated, but the attic floor. I usually lay several layers of material, each layer should overlap the joints of the previous layer. It is better to use two layers of thicker insulation than three layers thin material, with the same total insulation thickness.
If the attic is being insulated, then the insulation is placed under the roof, making sure to leave ventilation gaps between the insulation and the roof itself. It is also necessary to protect the insulation from the inside with a vapor barrier membrane, and from the outside with a moisture-proof film.
Insulation of a flat roof places high demands on the strength of the insulation material. Great importance It also has insulation density. Flat roof experiences high snow loads and loads during its operation. Therefore, the density of roof insulation should be at least 40 kg/m3.

It is very important to follow the technology when insulating the roof. If you don't do the right thing " roofing pie", then it is possible that various problems when using the roof. This includes the appearance of icicles and icing of the roof, which can lead to the destruction of the roof covering. An improperly insulated attic will be hot in summer and cold in winter, and flat roofs may leak if the roof insulation is not installed correctly.

It is advisable to entrust the work of roof insulation to specialists, and if you do it yourself, carefully study the technology of this process and strictly follow the instructions. Then the roof will not cause you trouble in the future.

To keep your home warm, you need to do more than just proper heating, but also to insulate the house. The main thing is roof insulation. In our article we will present the TOP 10 rating the best insulation materials for the roof! Read reviews, addresses of companies, comparison of the basics about everything below.

What types of roof insulation are there?

The modern market provides a huge selection various insulation materials for the roof. Let's consider the main ones:

Basalt wool– fairly new, high-tech, reliable and durable material for roof insulation. The insulation is made from basalt rocks. Cotton wool consists of the finest fibers up to 5 millimeters thick, which are intertwined with each other. Such fibers have water-repellent properties, so the cotton wool will not get wet. This kind of insulation is designed for temperatures up to + 750 degrees Celsius, it is not subject to destruction and retains its shape. Basalt wool allows you to maintain a comfortable room temperature at any time of the year.
Fiberglass Today it is the most affordable roofing insulation. Its structure is similar to the structure of basalt wool, only this insulation consists not of basalt fibers, but of sand, which melts at a certain temperature and is formed into fibers. When purchasing such insulation, you need to pay attention to thermal conductivity, water-repellent properties and density.
Expanded polystyrene(Styrofoam). Lightweight and easy to install, polystyrene foam is used to insulate all types of roofs. Expanded polystyrene does not get wet, does not rot and does not weigh down the roof structure, however, there is a significant drawback - the flammability of the material. When working with this material, care must be taken to comply with fire safety regulations.
Extruded polystyrene foam. The complete absence of water absorption allows the material to be used for all types of roofs, including inversion roofs. This material is easy to install and does not weigh down the roof structure.
Polyester fiber different from everyone else modern insulation materials with its environmentally friendly composition. The manufacturing technology of such insulation is identical to the manufacturing technology of clothing and similar products with which humans come into contact. Polyester fiber insulation - non-woven insulating material having good performance qualities, which allows you to significantly save money.

Basics Comparison Chart

When choosing insulation, the question immediately arises: which insulation for the roof is better? The price is different for everyone, as are the indicators. Let's compare the main types of insulation in the comparative table below.

2 best basalt insulation

Basalt insulation providing heat and sound insulation. Ideal for insulating any type of roof of frame houses. The insulation is sold in a package in the form of slabs of 8 pieces per package and is absolutely safe and non-flammable.

Price: 225 rubles.

Hotrock Smart insulation

easy to install;
has excellent sound insulation.

harmful to breathing (necessary additional use vapor barrier).

I used this insulation on my mansard roof. Excellent sound insulation, the house is warm and cozy. Laying the material was easy and simple and we didn’t even have to hire people for this purpose; we did it on our own.