Thermal insulation for floors: how to choose the right one? What kind of thermal insulation should there be for a heated floor? Types of floor insulation in a wooden house Thermal insulation floor

Insulating the floor in a house is an important procedure that requires a responsible approach. High-quality insulation of a wooden floor - to minimize heating costs in winter and provide the floor covering with long term services. Currently, the market for insulating materials offers a wide selection of products that can make a person’s life comfortable even in cold climates. However, it is necessary not only to install the insulation correctly, but also to choose it wisely. The fact is that each of these materials has features that allow it to be used in certain cases.

Insulation is carried out during the construction of the house; in this case, there is no need to dismantle the insulating material, and the consumption of building materials and time costs is minimal. But if it is necessary to insulate the floor of a wooden habitable house, then the work here is more difficult to complete. First you need to decide which insulation material is suitable.

Types of insulation

Choosing insulation

The choice of insulating materials is approached carefully. Under no circumstances should you save money on thermal insulation; remember that heat losses in the room entail monetary costs for the ever-increasing price electrical energy for home heating. But what kind of insulation for a floor in a wooden house should be and how to choose it correctly can be determined after you become familiar with the pros and cons of each type of thermal insulation. Popular thermal insulators are:

1. Ecowool and mineral wool.
2. Sawdust.
3. Expanded clay.
4. Polystyrene foam and penofol.
5. Polyurethane foam thermal insulation

They differ from each other in features and installation technology. To choose the right type of thermal insulation, several parameters are taken into account:

• Temperature and humidity indicators inside wooden house and the frequency of their changes.
• Required thickness of the insulating layer.
• terms of Use wooden floor and the expected loads on it.
• Design weight of the floor structure.

Insulation with sawdust

It should be noted that wood itself is a good heat insulator, however, without an additional insulating layer, wood will not provide a high level of heat conservation in the room. High-quality thermal insulation of the floor is performed using wood sawdust.

This material has a number of advantages, including:

• Low price. Buying sawdust will be cheaper than buying mineral wool.
• Environmental friendliness of the material. To insulate the floor with sawdust in wooden house the subfloor will need to be covered with material.
• The thickness of the layer is from five centimeters or more. The thicker the layer of thermal insulation, the better.
• Sawdust can be easily poured into cracks and other hard to reach places, where it is impossible to lay another type of thermal insulation on the floor.

Insulation with sawdust

Advice! Insulation of a wooden house using sawdust is done if you are not afraid of a high level of fire hazard, otherwise it is wiser to pay attention to thermal insulation material, which has a lower degree of flammability.

Insulation with mineral wool

If you are faced with the question of what is the best way to insulate a wooden floor, in this case ideal solution will become mineral wool. On this moment Such thermal insulation is an attractive solution in terms of price and quality. In addition, mineral wool has many advantages compared to other insulation materials:

• Low degree of thermal conductivity, this allows to minimize heat losses in winter.
• Excellent level of water repellency. Mineral wool is used as insulation in houses with high humidity, the material does not allow moisture to pass through.
• Non-flammability. This indicator minimizes the occurrence of fire.
• Long service life. Insulating a wooden floor with mineral wool ensures a long service life of the heat insulator, which other materials cannot boast of.
• Environmental friendliness.
• Rot resistant.
• Mineral wool is resistant to temperature changes.
• Low cost. The price for such a heat insulator is slightly higher than for sawdust, but lower than for most other heat-insulating materials.
• Good sound insulation.

A number of minuses of mineral wool follow from the pluses. The main disadvantage is considered to be the low level of vapor permeability, because of this water condensation collects on the heat insulator. Therefore, if you choose mineral wool, then think about installing a vapor barrier.

In addition, over time, the mineral flooring cakes, which negatively affects the properties of the wool - the thermal insulation becomes worse. Therefore, during installation, it is recommended to lay mineral wool in two to three overlapping layers. Installation of insulation is carried out without gaps, a vapor barrier layer is placed on top of it, the seams are taped, this step will ensure reliable protection mineral wool to prevent condensation from accumulating on it.

Laying mineral wool

Penofol insulation

This material has not been used for floor insulation for a long time, so penofol has not yet become as popular as many heat insulators. This insulation consists of two layers, the first layer is foil, the second is insulating. Using penofol as floor insulation, you provide many advantages:

• Simplicity and ease of installation. Laying such material will not be difficult; you do not need to have professional skills to do this.
• The insulation is resistant to mechanical loads.
• The insulation has high density values, this allows the material to be laid under wooden subfloor thin layer.
• When using penofol as insulation, there is no need to install a vapor barrier, because condensation does not accumulate on such material.

Advice! Penofol is too expensive, but don’t let this scare you, because the performance qualities of such insulation more than compensate for the price.

To insulate floors using penofol, you must adhere to the following sequence of work:

• The first stage is laying a layer of waterproofing.
• The insulating material itself is laid on the already laid waterproofing layer.
• Joints and seams are securely closed using polyurethane foam.
• Next, logs are installed on the insulation in increments of at least fifty centimeters.
• Insulation is again laid between the wooden joists, the cracks and seams are again sealed with foam.
• Now you can install the boards.

Penofol

Insulating material foam

This type of insulation is on par with mineral wool in its popularity. However, the thermal insulation material differs from the latter in higher performance: it does not cake over time, does not absorb moisture and retains its properties for a long time. In addition, using polystyrene foam as insulation under wooden floors, you will provide the following benefits:

1. The highest strength characteristics of the heat insulator; it can easily withstand mechanical stress.
2. Low degree of thermal conductivity. Thanks to this property, even a thin foam layer minimizes heat loss in the room.
3. Fire resistance.
4. Resistance to temperature changes and negative impact environment.
5. The material is not subject to rotting.
6. Rodents are not afraid of polystyrene foam.

Styrofoam

Insulation material ecowool

When choosing ecowool as insulation, you should know that such thermal insulation will require installation time, unlike the above materials. But such a heat insulator will serve you for many decades and during this time it will reliably retain heat in a wooden house. The disadvantages of the material include its price and the need to use special equipment during the installation process.

Ecowool insulation

Penoplex insulation material

If you are insulating the floor using penoplex, then the installation scheme is the same as laying mineral wool. Installation in progress insulation material, seams and joints are sealed with foam. The insulation can be laid in two or three layers. The use of penoplex provides the following advantages:

• During installation there is no need to make a vapor barrier, because condensation does not collect on such a heat insulator.
• The material does not require additional protection from moisture.
• Resistant to any mechanical stress.
• Penoplex is not afraid of rodents.
• Has a long service life.

Heating efficiency starts with stopping all energy leaks – through windows, doors and floors. The first two problems are solved by seals and installation of double-glazed windows. To eliminate the last problem, you need to choose the right insulation. It is important to do this so that in the future the floor temperature differs by no more than 2 C°, otherwise the residents will suffer from frequent colds.

It has been proven that heat loss through floors is 20%. This is exactly how much you will have to overpay for heating if there is autonomous system. Insulation is especially necessary in a private house (especially in old wooden houses), on the 1st floor, as well as in the bathroom, kitchen, loggia and anywhere where the concrete floor is covered with tiles.

Kinds

All insulation materials intended for floor insulation can be divided into four types:

• cotton wool;
• foam;
• concrete (expanded clay);
• natural (linen, jute).

Their quality and wear are influenced by many factors - loads, moisture, fungi, insects, rodents. They themselves can have a positive, negative or neutral effect on the health of people living in the house. There is no ideal type of insulation - each has a set of certain characteristics and its own disadvantages due to the lack of certain qualities. Therefore, when choosing floor insulation, pay attention to the following characteristics:

• safety for health and the environment;
• resistance to temperature influences and high humidity;
• thermal insulation and vapor permeability;
• resistance to rotting, decomposition and aging;
• ease of installation and durability.

Which insulation is better to choose?

1. Mineral wool. It is also made of stone, made from rock alloys, as well as from slag. Can be sold both in rolls and mats. Has good sound insulation, low flammability, but is afraid excess humidity. Therefore, it must be additionally waterproofed or its integrity monitored. protective film. Depending on the amount of slag content, it may have an acceptable (but undesirable) radioactive background.

2. Glass wool. Made from fiberglass - waste from the glass industry. Its properties are similar to the previous material, but it does not have a radioactive background. However, it has lower thermal conductivity (this is a plus), but also lower density (this is a minus). Suitable for wooden floor. Unfortunately, it can ignite in case of fire.

3. Ecowool. Consists of 80% processed waste paper, 8% borax, and 12% antiseptic. It is environmentally friendly, has good thermal conductivity, heat resistance, and durability.

4. Polyurethane foam, polystyrene, polystyrene foam (foam plastic). The most popular, widely used in suburban buildings, at the dachas. It is very convenient to use - it is simply placed on the bottom and connected with foam or construction tape. Resistant to moisture, but flammable. Thermal insulation of floors using foam plastic is not only convenient, but also affordable.

However, there is an opinion that floor insulation with polystyrene foam is not very environmentally friendly - when heated, it emits substances that over time harm people's health.

5. Izolon. Refers to foamed polyethylene; rodents, insects and fungi do not grow in it. 1 cm of isolon replaces 4.5 cm of mineral wool and has high rates of not only heat but also sound insulation. Resistant to a wide variety of adverse environments, including chemical and oil solvents.

True, due to its small thickness it cannot provide sufficiently reliable sound insulation, so it makes no sense to use it in multi-storey building, for example, on the bathroom floor, where such a need often arises.

6. Linen. Natural insulation: durable, resistant to moisture and adverse environments. Does not rot over time and does not succumb to mold. Effectively resists frost, protecting against cold. Those who are prone to allergies or are careful about their health can choose this option for floor insulation, as the most environmentally friendly of all existing ones.

7. Jute. Natural fiber, which is produced from plants of the linden family. Often used for making carpets, furniture pads and as insulation. In this case, it is made in the form of rolls like gray carpet.

8. Expanded clay. Porous fine crushed stone, which is obtained by firing clay shale, has either a smooth oval or pointed shape. Often used as cushioning and drainage material.

Insulation of floors along joists

This insulation method is applicable for floors built both on the ground and on concrete floors. It is also suitable for installation in brick and wooden houses. For soil, you must first compact the soil and fill it with crushed stone. Place on the prepared pillow brick pillars at a distance of 2x0.5 m. Then they need to be covered with waterproofing, after which you can lay wooden logs. The insulation is overlapped between them. It can also be placed on beams to prevent the boards from creaking.

Expanded clay is most often used for screeding on the ground if the house does not have a basement. First, 100 mm thick sand is poured onto the bottom of the base, and then insulation up to 300 mm. To make the base strong, it is compacted and covered with reinforcing mesh, then a concrete screed is poured.

Insulation under linoleum

By itself it has low thermal conductivity. For linoleum, you can use any materials, preferably those that do not rot or mold. It is unacceptable for moisture to get under the floor during work. If they are carried out in compliance with these measures, then the structure will last for many years.

Manufacturers and prices

The experience of companies has a great influence on the quality of insulation. The longer a company operates on the market, the more likely it is the best insulation materials she offers. Rockwool has been in business for over 70 years. During this time, mineral and stone wool were obtained by trial and error. good quality with reliable sound insulation, vapor permeability, resistance to fire and moisture.

Penoplex slabs are suitable for ground floors, foundations, loggias and laying “warm” floors. They have zero water absorption, high compressive strength, are resistant to rotting and are easy to install.

The company "PAROC" produces floor mats from stone wool. Operates in 15 European countries, successfully helping clients reduce energy consumption. Due to the well-promoted brand, its products differ not only high quality, but also at a less affordable price for the average consumer.

The Zhivoizol company offers products made from flax and jute: they are environmentally friendly, durable, do not cause allergies and do not emit harmful substances. Insects do not breed in them, and mice do not eat them.

Izolon is engaged in production unique material for floors suitable as underlays for parquet. The company's products are characterized by high impact resistance, low thermal conductivity, vapor barrier with a minimum width of only 10 mm.

Name of insulation	Size, mm	Manufacturer	Price per m2 in rubles
mineral wool	1000×600×50	Rockwool	from 410
stone wool	1000×600×50	Rockwool	from 610
stone wool	1000×300×50	Rockwool lite	from 510
penoplex	1000×600×50	"Penoplex"	from 980
stone wool mat	7080×565×50	"PAROC"	from 2000
thermolene	1000×100×50	"Zhivoizol"	from 114 to 164
thermojute	1000×100×50	"Zhivoizol"	from 90 to 135
isolon	1500×1000×10	"Izolon"	from 10 500
expanded clay	fr. 20×40	"UDIS"	from 210 per m 3

Articles

Floor insulation prevents rapid cooling of the room, since heat-insulating materials have low thermal conductivity. Some of them are used for external insulation of the foundation, others for direct finishing. floor coverings inside the house. In the article we will look at the main types of insulation, as well as methods of thermal insulation of concrete and wooden bases.

Features of heat-insulating materials

How to insulate the floor in a house? To prevent serious heat loss in a room, two main types of insulators are used:

1. Reflecting thermal radiation. These types of heat insulators contain a metallized layer with reflective properties. Due to this, it is possible to significantly reduce the cost of heating the room;
2. Preventing heat exchange with the external environment. Floor insulation with insulators of this type occurs due to the low thermal conductivity of materials that prevent the exchange of heat in the room with the environment.

To understand the technical characteristics and advantages of modern thermal insulators, we will consider the most popular of them in more detail.

Organic thermal insulators

Organic floor insulation contains components of natural origin, as well as synthetic binders and cement. Raw materials treated with polymer compounds acquire excellent heat-insulating qualities, resistance to fire and high humidity.

What types of organic-based thermal insulators do modern manufacturers offer?

• Arbolit. Pressed blocks are obtained from wood-based materials, sawdust, straw and chopped reeds. The raw materials also include cement, soluble glass and calcium chloride. The thickness of the blocks can vary from 10 to 100 mm, while they have high strength bending and low thermal conductivity - no more than 0.10 W/m*K;
• Polyvinyl chloride foam. PVC boards contain organic resins with low thermal conductivity. Dense and frost-resistant material is used to insulate subfloors, building facades and roofs;
• Chipboard boards. Chipboards contain an antiseptic and synthetic resins, which provide the coating with a sufficient level of thermal insulation and moisture resistance;
• Polyurethane foam. Floor insulation is made from polyester, to which emulsifiers and synthetic substances with heat-reflecting characteristics are added. A chemically neutral heat insulator is used to insulate floors above basement and soil;
• Penoizol. Thermal insulator is produced in the form of blocks or granules. It is made from urea-formaldehyde resins mixed with glycerin. The thickness of plastic and fire-resistant insulation is at least 10 mm. Penoizol can be used for finishing floor coverings and wall panels;
• Expanded polystyrene. Expanded polystyrene is approximately 95% air. Insulating the floor with cellular material made from petroleum products can increase the efficiency of the heating system by 40%. The coating has good waterproofing properties and resistance to corrosion;
• Foamed polyethylene. The insulation is obtained by synthesizing ordinary polyethylene with a foaming component - hydrocarbon. Such an insulator not only prevents heat loss in the room, but also has excellent vapor barrier properties. It practically does not absorb moisture and promotes additional sound insulation in room;
• Ecowool. The heat insulator is made from cardboard production waste. Environmentally friendly bulk material has high level thermal and sound insulation. At the same time, ecowool is hygroscopic, so it cannot be used without additional waterproofing.

Inorganic heat insulators

Insulating the floor with inorganic insulators allows you to achieve a minimum level of heat exchange with the environment. Synthetic materials are practically not afraid of moisture and strong temperature changes, so many of them can be used to insulate the base. As a rule, the composition inorganic insulation materials includes the following components:

• Asbestos;
• Plasticizers;
• Fiberglass;
• Slags;
• Rocks.

What types of thermal insulators are in greatest demand?

• Mineral wool. Manufacture roll material from waste obtained during the casting of non-ferrous and ferrous metals. The binding component is phenol, which gives the insulation necessary properties. Mineral wool practically does not burn, has good noise and heat insulation and has high vapor permeability;
• Ceramic wool. The raw materials for the manufacture of cotton wool include metal oxides, silicon and zirconium. It can withstand temperatures of 900 degrees or more. The thickness of the thermal insulator layer varies from 5 to 50 mm, which significantly expands the scope of application of cotton wool. It can be used to insulate concrete and wooden foundations, roofs and walls;
• Glass wool. The heat insulator is produced from glass production waste. Unlike mineral wool, the thickness of glass wool is much greater and can reach 60-80 mm. The coating is chemically neutral and is not affected by high temperatures.

Foil insulators

Insulating the floor with foil insulators allows you not only to prevent serious heat loss in the room, but also to provide additional noise and waterproofing. The thickness of the materials is relatively small and ranges from 4 to 100 mm. This insulation consists of two or three layers, one of which is made of aluminum foil.

Which thermal insulators with a metallized layer are the most effective?

• Izolon. The coating is made of gas-foamed polyethylene and a foil layer. Some types of insulators have a self-adhesive base, which greatly simplifies the installation procedure. The small thickness and weight of isolon allow it to be used for thermal insulation of floors and ceilings;
• Penofol. Thermal insulator combined type made of metallized film and polyethylene foam. The coating reflects up to 97% of thermal energy, and due to its good waterproofing properties it can be used for insulating rooms with high humidity - saunas, swimming pools;
• Foamed polyethylene. Floor insulation with foamed polyethylene allows you to achieve good sound and heat insulation of concrete and wooden bases. Synthetic material has high microbiological stability and chemical neutrality. It is produced in the form of a roll, the layer thickness can reach 15-30 mm;
• NPE. Polyethylene foam, made from a foam composition, has a cellular structure. Thanks to the air gap inside the coating, heat loss in the room is significantly reduced. The heat insulator is not subject to rotting, so it can be used to insulate floors in rooms with harsh microclimates.

Insulation of the foundation from the outside

Is it possible to insulate foundation walls? According to most experts, it is not only possible, but necessary, to insulate foundation walls. As the soil freezes, heat loss increases significantly, which contributes to an increase in heating costs in winter period. How to properly insulate the floor outside the house?

1. It is better to choose as a heat-insulating material polystyrene foam boards, since they are not afraid of frost and do not lose their thermal insulating properties when wet;
2. The slabs are secured outside the house along the perimeter of the entire foundation using dowels or frost-resistant glue;
3. It is desirable that the insulation is located several centimeters below the freezing level of the soil;
4. The thickness of the slabs must be at least 10 mm;
5. After fixing the polystyrene foam basement part It is advisable to sand the material and cover it with frost-resistant plaster.

Thermal insulation of the floor on the ground

Usually, this technology used for insulating floor coverings in private wooden mansions and bathhouses. During the work process, the following nuances should be taken into account:

1. The soil is thoroughly leveled and compacted;
2. After this, gravel and sand are laid as a substrate;
3. The thickness of the substrate must be at least 10 cm;
4. If necessary, laying hydrophobic heat-insulating materials, first carry out waterproofing using roofing material;
5. Then a thermal and vapor barrier is laid;
6. At the final stage of insulation, the rough base is poured cement mortar, after which the finishing coating is applied.

Thermal insulation of the floor along the joists

This method of thermal insulation is no less effective than the previous one, but will cost much more. So, how to insulate a rough foundation along the joists?

1. The soil is leveled and compacted;
2. Brick pillars are laid along the perimeter under wooden joists in increments of 0.6 m;
3. Then on brickwork install the beams and spread the roofing material;
4. Light insulation (ecowool, mineral wool, granulated foam plastic) is poured into the sections between the joists;
5. Next, a layer of vapor-permeable insulation is laid;
6. At the final stage, a screed is made.

High-quality floor insulation can be done using organic, synthetic and foil thermal insulators. Each of them has special technical properties and application features that we described in this article.

In order for your home to be cozy and comfortable, and for you and your children to be able to walk around the house barefoot without the risk of catching a cold, you need a heated floor.

IN apartment buildings cause of cold floors - concrete floors, which are a good heat conductor. But wooden floors, despite the good thermal insulation qualities of wood, need insulation. Let's try to figure out how to insulate the floor, namely, what materials exist for this, what are their advantages and disadvantages.

Types of insulation

There is a wide variety of thermal insulation materials on the construction market, the use of which allows you to insulate a wooden or concrete floor. They can be divided into three groups:

• wood-chip;
• mineral;
• polymer;
• cork.

Let's consider each type in more detail, the pros and cons of each material.

Wood-based

This is the simplest and high-quality thermal insulation. These include:

• sawdust;
• plywood;
• ecowool.

Sawdust

It's safe natural material. Based on them, various mixtures with sand, cement, lime, and other components are prepared.

The sawdust must be dry, without mold, of medium size, and aged for at least one year.

It is environmentally friendly, cheap and reliable insulation, excellent heat retention.

Chipboard

Chipboard – wood shavings, pressed into slabs with a binder and special additives. It insulates sound and heat well. Despite its strength, chipboard is easy to cut and cut.

Ideal for working with concrete covering, but since it tends to absorb moisture, you need to start working with waterproofing.

Plywood

Plywood is simple and easy to use. It is easily covered with linoleum, carpet or any type of paint.

For the floor, you must choose a waterproof grade of plywood made from environmentally friendly materials.

Ecowool

Sawdust is used to make modern environmentally friendly material– ecowool. It is made from newspaper waste paper with the addition of antiseptics and fire retardants. Does not deform during long-term use, retains heat well, and is an excellent sound insulator.

Ecowool is easy to use and can be easily poured manually between the joists. It has one drawback - high cost.

Mineral

The use of such materials does not require special construction skills.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool is considered one of the most popular floor insulation materials. This is a natural, eco-friendly product with fire-resistant properties.

Mineral wool is durable, does not shrink, and does not deform due to temperature changes. Provides excellent sound and heat insulation. It is produced in the form of slabs different sizes, rolls and mats, which simplifies its installation on concrete floor. The disadvantages include the rather large thickness of the layer.

Expanded clay

A variety of heat-treated clay - expanded clay - is quite suitable for flooring. Durable, resistant to dynamic loads and temperature changes, provides good sound insulation, retains heat perfectly.

It comes in the form of granules, which are simply distributed between the joists by hand. Expanded clay is relatively inexpensive. It is fragile and absorbs moisture well, which, of course, is a disadvantage.

Polymer

All polymer insulation materials are produced using similar technologies, have a porous structure and are lightweight.

Styrofoam

This is one of the most popular polymers used to insulate walls (both inside and outside) and floors of private houses. It has undeniable advantages:

• very convenient to use, easy to cut and install;
• does not absorb moisture, is resistant to rotting;
• does not deform during the entire service life;
• holds heat well;
• has low cost.

The disadvantages of polystyrene foam include its low fire resistance. In addition, when heated, an unpleasant odor may appear.

Polystyrene foam can be installed well on any surface, but it is most effective for insulating a concrete floor.

Penoplex

Innovative construction material penoplex has a cellular structure and good heat-saving qualities. Like foam plastic, it is simple and easy to install, is not subject to deformation, and does not absorb moisture.

Penoplex has a long service life. Its disadvantages include rapid flammability and release during combustion hazardous substances. Easily mounted on concrete and wooden floor under the screed or laid on the joists after installing the frame.

Expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene is becoming increasingly popular. This is one of the inexpensive polymers, lightweight, durable, hard. Resistant to high and low temperatures, wear-resistant. The material does not absorb moisture and is not susceptible to fungus and mold.

During long-term use, the properties of polystyrene foam are preserved, which is facilitated by its cellular structure. Like all polymers, it has low fire resistance. Easy to use, easy to assemble.

Izolon

An excellent insulation material is isolon - polyethylene foam. Izolon has zero water absorption, which makes the appearance of fungus or mold impossible.

Holds heat well, lightweight, elastic material. Available in rolls that are easily laid on the surface and secured with tape. You can purchase self-adhesive isolon.

Polyurethane foam

Using the spraying method, polyurethane foam is applied to the floor, which creates an even layer of insulation. This is a lightweight and durable polymer that is resistant to rot and mold.

Has good fire-resistant properties. Absolutely safe for human health.

Dye

A special product copes very effectively with thermal insulation. polymer paint, which is the thinnest insulation. This new development in the building materials market. It has water-repellent and fire-resistant qualities, the paint is easy to apply and dries quickly.

Cork

In an era of environmental concern, it is not surprising that many people opt for natural materials. The bark of the cork tree has excellent thermal insulation properties. From others natural materials Cork is distinguished by its honeycomb structure, which includes large and small cells filled with air.

Technical cork absorbs sound and vibration well, it is strong and durable. Available in the form of rolls, it has a small thickness and good density. The small thickness of the product allows you to insulate floors in rooms with maximum height. It is easy to install on any surface. Like any natural material it has a high cost.

Advantages of an insulated floor

Taking into account the characteristics of insulating materials, we can conclude that there are advantages of insulated floors:

• heat loss to the outside or into the ground through the coldest surface in the room is reduced;
• electricity consumption is reduced, thereby saving the family budget;
• prevents the appearance of condensation on the floor surface, making it impossible for mold and mildew to occur;
• additional sound insulation is created.

How to choose material?

When looking for an answer to the question of what is the best way to insulate a floor, do not forget about the norms of building heating engineering, which are different for each region of Russia. Thermal insulation will be more effective if you choose best option for a specific floor covering.

Calculation

First of all, it is necessary to calculate the thickness of the material. For this, resistances are taken into account:

• acceptance of air by the floor – R1;
• passage of heat through the floor – R2;
• heat transfer – R3.

All layers are taken into account, including air gap. The density of the material is divided by its thermal conductivity coefficient. The result of the calculation is the value of the coefficient of heat transmission through the floor.

A product with a thickness equal to the sum of all resistances must be equal to the heat resistance standard for a specific region, determined according to SNiP II - 3 - 1979 “Construction Heating Equipment”.

The microclimate in your home, warmth and comfort in your home will depend on the accuracy of the calculation. winter cold and autumn weather.

Concrete floor

For concrete floors, wood-chip insulation materials that are mounted on plastic film for waterproofing. Mineral wool is also convenient for installation. Heat-insulating paint and foam work effectively.

Before starting work, inspect concrete base. If you find any cracks, be sure to eliminate them using polyurethane foam.

Wooden floor

For the wooden floor of a private house, mineral wool is perfect, which is convenient to lay under the boards. If you plan to replace the floor after insulation, then use polystyrene foam or penoplex. It is not always possible to install dense insulation; in this case, use cork or chipboard.

Floors play a huge role in maintaining heat in a room. Through cold floors, heat loss reaches 20% of the total volume. By insulating floors in an apartment or private house, you not only create optimal microclimate for your family, but also save energy and money resources.

Floor insulation - essential element the entire structure of the house. In this article we will look at the main and most popular types of insulation and compare them specifications and styling features.

Thermal insulation of any room will be very mediocre and ineffective if the insulation is not integrated under the floor covering.

With all the variety of thermal insulation materials, let's look at their pros and cons.

Why do you need floor insulation?

Thermal conductivity varies depending on the size of the granules and the raw materials used. Expanded clay, with a grain size of 5-10 mm, is considered the most optimal fraction for floor insulation.

It is very convenient to use when organizing dry screed. The scheme of work is as follows:

1. Logs are laid and fixed on the base;
2. Expanded clay is poured between the joists;
3. The structure is covered on top with two layers of gypsum fiber board or plywood.

This type of screed is very Convenient for ease of installation and cleanliness of work. But it has a drawback - it does not tolerate contact with water. That is, it cannot be installed in the kitchen or bathroom.

The convenience of working with expanded clay is especially clearly evident when leveling large slopes in a room. When backfilling, it will tend to be distributed along the horizon.

Expanded clay is successfully used to create floors on the ground. In the floor pie diagram, it occupies important place just between the rough screed and the crushed stone layer. Here it not only serves as a thermal insulator, but also cuts off the remnants of capillary rise of groundwater.

Its use as a filler when installing a screed is allowed only on solid foundation, subject to the use of grain 0-5 mm. But this is not the most The best way insulation.

Expanded clay also has negative sides. Firstly, it absorbs moisture quite well. And then he gives it back very badly. And when saturated with water, the thermal conductivity of expanded clay improves by 34-42%. This means that when using expanded clay as insulation, it is necessary to cover it with a layer of film.

He's prickly. In other words, he destroyed by impact. And crushed expanded clay shows all its positive qualities much worse.

To summarize, it can be noted that although expanded clay is a very cheap insulation material, to give the floor the same comfort as with Penoplex thermal insulation, it is necessary to pour a layer 5 times thicker. And this is not always acceptable.