How to properly insulate a roof with different types of roofing. Review of materials and technologies for roof insulation - visual diagrams and photos. Warm roof. Principles of roof insulation Warm roof

Currently, a large number of Russians, tired of living in cities, are building country houses and settle there. Many people build these houses themselves, but not everyone knows how important a warm roof is in a house. It serves as the main part of the thermal insulation of the house and provides great energy savings.

Roofing pie with insulation

Having a warm roof for a house is more important than the foundation. A house may stand on a poor or even unfilled foundation, but it is impossible to live in a house without a roof.

Roofs are divided into two types. Cold and warm roofs. If the house has a non-living attic space, then it does not need to be insulated. If you are going to live in the attic or arrange some kind of functional room, then you cannot avoid installing a warm roof.

Warm roof waterproofing

A warm roof extends the life of a house and minimizes the occurrence of emergency situations, reduces the cost of maintaining a home.

Roof insulation

Manufacturers produce various roofing insulation materials for installing warm roofs.

Most popular:

Roof insulation

  1. Foamed polystyrene foam. Lightweight material belonging to the class of foam plastics. Many experts consider it more effective than mineral wool. Service life 50 years.
  2. Polyurethane foam. It has good thermal insulation and waterproofing, low vapor permeability. Service life is more than 50 years. Used for roof and roof insulation.
  3. Stone wool. Mineral wool is used to make slabs. Used for installing warm roofs on roofs. The main advantages are: it does not burn, has a good level of thermal insulation, and is little susceptible to rodents and microorganisms. Service life more than 60 years.
  4. Glass wool is one of the varieties of mineral wool. Serves as an excellent material for thermal insulation and roof insulation. Has a long service life.

Let's consider several options for installing a warm roof:

  • insulation is located between the rafters;
  • insulation is located under the rafters;
  • insulation is located above the rafters;
  • All these methods can be combined with each other.
  • Among the combined options for installing a warm roof, the following are popular:
  • insulation is located above and between the rafters;
  • insulation is located under and between the rafters;
  • insulation is located above and between, under the rafters.

To install a warm roof, we will need various roofing and power tools:

  1. Cutting tool - Circular Saw, electric jigsaw, metal hacksaw, roofing scissors.
  2. Drill.
  3. Screwdriver.
  4. Hammer, rubber mallet.
  5. Roulette.
  6. Marker.
  7. Sealant and polyurethane foam.
  8. Stapler.
  9. Cord.

Individual features of each roof insulation option

The insulation is placed between the rafters.

Roof insulation

The simplest and most popular option for a warm roof is the placement of insulation between the rafters. This method is used with complete thermal insulation of the rafters. From the beginning we waterproof the roof with under-roofing film. It serves as protection against atmospheric moisture, for insulation and rafters. We fasten it with a stapler. We choose staples with a length of 10 mm. We install insulation along the entire height of the rafters. When installing thermal insulation, make sure that the insulation fits tightly to the rafters. Cut the roof insulation boards 15 mm larger than the distance between the rafters. The insulation board has good elasticity and will fit tightly between the rafters.

This warm roof device is attractive due to its simplicity and low cost. Roof thermal insulation work can be done in any weather after you have installed the roofing film.

A significant drawback of this option for roof insulation is the possibility of the formation of cold bridges.

The insulation is placed on top of the rafters

When using this option, roof insulation is mounted interior decoration. A vapor barrier is laid on it, all its joints are taped. The insulation laid on top forms a thermal contour. A waterproofing film with high vapor permeability is laid on top of the thermal insulation.

Roof with insulation

This type of roof insulation reduces the formation of cold bridges to a minimum.

Disadvantage This option for roof insulation is difficult to carry out work with roofs of non-standard configuration.

The insulation is located under the rafters. This insulation option is almost never used in suburban construction.

Combined roof insulation option

The installation of an insulated roof using a combined method, when the insulation is located under and between the rafters, is the most popular and is often used in practice. This looks like an option when the insulation is mounted between the rafters with their complete insulation, with an additional inner layer of insulation, which is mounted between the cross beams. The rafters overlap completely. The cross beam has dimensions equal to the dimensions of the insulation.

Place a vapor barrier film between the layers of insulation. One nuance should be taken into account here - the thermal resistance of the roof insulation from the inside should not exceed 20% of the thermal resistance of the insulation laid between the rafters. If this balance is upset, condensation will be deposited on the vapor barrier film.

Alternatively, you can vapor barrier film can be installed from the inside of the roof, but then there is a possibility of its damage during other work.

Simple flat roof insulation

Installing a warm roof according to this scheme is optimal if you do not have large financial resources. This warm roof device is characterized by ease and accessibility of installation and allows you to achieve effective thermal insulation of the roof using inexpensive materials.

The option of installing insulation above and between the rafters is the most expensive and labor-intensive. It is possible that you will not be able to do without assistants and professionals. Most often it is used when constructing a new roof and replacing an old one. roofing.

Thermal insulation of a house roof is an essential aspect of roof construction or major repairs. The selection of installation technology for the thermal insulation layer depends on the combination of the roof, the type of insulation and the recommendations that apply to the room located under the roof.

The need for roof insulation

How to make the roof warmer to significantly reduce heat loss at home? First of all, you need to choose the right insulation materials and definitely adhere to the installation technology. A well-insulated roof increases the thermal efficiency of a house by 15%, making it possible to create an attic into a room suitable for all year round location.

Especially great demands are placed on the heat insulator of the attic roof of residential buildings located in areas with cool winters. The roofing layer of summer attics or used attics includes a thinner insulating layer. The roof, under which an unused attic is located, in most cases is not insulated - thermal insulation is installed on the attic floor or ceiling of residential premises. A warm, non-residential attic is well ventilated, which prevents rotting of the wood elements of the roof frame.


When installing pitched and flat roofs, use various options roof insulation.

Thermal insulation of a flat roof

How to install insulated roofing when installing a flat roof? It should be noted that flat roof can be insulated both from the outside and inside.

The composition of the flat roof pie includes:

  • vapor barrier;
  • heat insulator;
  • a layer of waterproofing material in a roll;
  • bulk layer (drainage + cement-sand mixture).

Insulation from the outside is best done using basalt mineral wool. You can also use polystyrene foam and other rigid insulation materials. It is necessary to take into account that polymer insulation cannot be used when installing roofing coverings with high fire safety requirements.

Thermal insulation of pitched roofs

Pie roofing pitched roof created with insulation along the rafters. It is important to understand how to properly insulate the roof of a house, so as not to allow mistakes that ultimately lead to damage to wooden structures.

The most famous insulation material in private housing construction is mineral wool. This is an easy-to-install, non-flammable material that you can purchase at a low cost. But the design of the fleece itself helps to accumulate moisture, which causes a significant decrease in the quality of thermal insulation of the material, and after some time, it incites rotting of the components of the rafter system. Likewise, when creating insulation, it is important to provide proper ventilation and waterproofing and vapor barriers roofing pie.


Installation of a pitched roof heat insulator is created from the attic side during construction work or roof repairs. If repair work is underway, before laying the insulation you need to check the condition of the rafters - rotting parts need to be replaced with new ones. It is also worth finishing all wooden structures with a fire-retardant composition.

The pitched roof pie includes:

  • final roof covering;
  • hydrobarrier (layer of material for waterproofing work);
  • heat insulator;
  • vapor barrier;
  • interior finishing (optional).

Proper roof insulation requires good air exchange, for which you need to create layers of air between:

  • under-roof waterproofing and roof covering;
  • insulation and water barrier;
  • vapor barrier and internal lining (if provided).

Air circulation (removal and free inflow) is provided thanks to specialized vents, one of which must be located in the roof overhang, and the second - under the ridge.

Materials for insulating pitched roofs

Roof insulation technology involves the use different materials. Particularly common thermal insulators include mineral wool and fiberglass-based wool (in panels or rolls), polymer board materials - polyurethane foam, polystyrene foam. The rules for their installation are similar, but it must be emphasized that installing slab material is much easier and more comfortable.

Instead of waterproofing, in most cases, roofing material or a waterproofing membrane is used, which is dense for water, but capable of draining water from the insulation. The vapor barrier layer can be made from:

  • roofing felt;
  • polyethylene films;
  • glassine;
  • foil materials placed with foil towards the attic room.

To make a roofing pie with high performance parameters, it is recommended to use a specialized vapor barrier membrane to make a vapor barrier: it removes condensation outside from the insulation and does not allow steam and water to pass inside the roofing pie.

Stages of insulation work on a pitched roof

The roof insulation scheme is quite simple. The first step is to measure the distance between the rafters. The panels of cotton insulation should be cut according to the results obtained, adding 1 centimeter. This will make it possible to fasten the heat insulator between the rafters. This stage of work becomes significantly easier if the roofing system is designed and installed from the very beginning with the application in mind. slab insulation specific width.


If there is no waterproofing between the rafters and the already installed roof covering, you should first attach a water barrier. The membrane must envelop the rafters; it is best to fasten it with a repair stapler to the rafters themselves and to the roof sheathing in the openings between them. The waterproofing must be installed under the overhang from the bottom of the roof to ensure moisture removal. It is necessary to take into account that with this option for fastening the hydraulic barrier, the insulation material must be installed without the necessary air layer. Due to this, it is recommended to use a superdiffusion membrane as waterproofing.


If there is a waterproofing layer under the roof covering, nails are tied onto the rafters in increments of about 10 cm. The nails should be placed at a distance of 3-5 cm from the waterproofing layer. You need to stretch a polyethylene thread or cord between the nails, tamping them to the end. This will create an air gap between the hydrobarrier and the insulation. If the heat insulator is supposed to be fixed with a cord, and not with lathing for cladding inside, nails must also be driven along the outer edge of the rafters.

If, when deciding how to make the roof of a house warmer, you chose cotton slab material for insulation, then the prepared parts should be lightly squeezed and inserted between the rafters. When using more rigid foam panels and similar materials, it is important to definitely adjust them to size so that the panels fit tightly into the opening. Thermal insulation is recommended to be performed in 2 layers. If it is necessary to install not entire sheets into the opening, but narrower parts, joining them along the length or width, you need to make sure that the connections of the second layer do not overlap with the connections of the first. The thermal insulator should not support the surface of the rafter legs. If the rafters have a small width for installing two layers of insulation, an additional block is nailed to them.

The heat insulator is attached between the rafters using a stretched cord attached to nails hammered in advance. Or, in the form of fasteners, a frame frame made of slats is used, which is intended for installing cladding indoors. The slats are nailed to the rafters in increments of 30-40 cm. In this option, the vapor barrier is stapled to the rafters before installing the sheathing: the thickness of the slats makes it possible to create the required air gap between the sheathing and the vapor barrier.


When installing a vapor barrier, great attention is paid to the impermeability of the layer. The fabric is laid with an overlap of at least 10 cm; the joints should be glued with adhesive tape in 2 layers. It is necessary to do a very high-quality installation of vapor barrier around chimney and in connecting places with walls. The last step involves installing the sheathing using wood-based or plasterboard slabs.

You can learn in detail about how to make the roof of a house warmer from the video.


According to the law of convection, which all gases obey, the heated air in a heated room will rise upward. Therefore, the main heat loss in the house occurs through the roof. A sufficiently large slope area and high thermal conductivity of the roofing material lead to an increase in heating costs by 15-20%. To retain heat inside the house, as well as to prevent the roof from being heated by the sun, the roof is insulated. In this article we will tell you how to choose the insulation and thermal insulation of the slope with your own hands.

Types of roofs

To understand how to insulate the slope and calculate the layer of thermal insulation material, you need to determine what type of roof it is. However, in the cold, windy and rainy climate of Russia, warm house without roof insulation work it is almost impossible. In our country, with its difficult climate, where the heating season in some regions lasts more than six months, thermal insulation of premises is of particular relevance. Thanks to modern high-quality insulation materials, it has become much easier to thermally insulate rooms and reduce heat loss, and this, in turn, helps to save significant money on space heating.

Materials for insulating rooms must have special properties, since they not only serve for thermal insulation, but are also exposed to a variety of weather conditions. In addition, they are usually intended for use in residential areas, so they must have properties such as fire safety and non-toxicity. Moisture-proof and durable thermal insulation materials, among other things, should serve for a long time,

The volume and cost of installing thermal insulation depends on the thickness of the layer of thermal insulation material, which determines the calculation, as well as the nature of the use of the under-roof space. Based on the method of insulation, there are 2 types of roofs:

· Cold roof. A cold roof is a roof under which there is an unheated attic or attic. In the past, this type of roofing structure was considered the most rational, since the layer of air separating the attic floor from the inner surface of the roof serves as a kind of natural insulation. This air cushion prevented heating of the slope from the inside, thanks to which the snow cap was preserved, but ice did not form. In houses with cold roof do not insulate the slope; thermal insulation work is carried out from the attic side, on the floors.

· Warm roofs. A warm-type roof is used if the attic of the house is heated. In this case, the roof is deprived of its natural insulation, which is why the snow on the surface of the slope melts, forming ice, which, when sliding, scratches the roofing. To prevent these negative phenomena, calculate the thickness of the material and install it on the surface of the slope with your own hands. Since the area of ​​the slope is larger than the area of ​​the floors, the cost of insulating a warm roof is more than a cold one.


Important! Thermal insulation of the roof is carried out using polymer or mineral insulation. To ensure that the material does not lose its thermal insulation qualities during operation, it must have low hygroscopicity, low thermal conductivity, and be able to withstand temperature changes and frost well.

Insulation methods

Roof insulation can be installed on the slope yourself different ways, the efficiency of work depends on the installation technology. Thermal insulation is a complex process that takes into account the climatic conditions of the region, roofing material, roof view. In order to prevent a mistake that could lead to an increase in humidity and a deterioration in the temperature conditions of the room, a calculation is performed that takes into account all these factors.

Installation of insulation is done with your own hands between the rafters, along the rafters, and also along the attic floor. There are 3 ways to perform thermal insulation work:

1. Between the rafters. This DIY roof insulation method involves fixing thermal insulation material to the rafters in the space between them. For this purpose, materials are used in the form of rolls, mats or slabs. The disadvantage of this technology is that, unlike the method of laying along the rafters, the roof insulation does not fit tightly to the frame elements. Because of this, “cold bridges” are formed, low-temperature air currents penetrating into the room. If the calculation has determined that the thickness of the insulation should be greater than the width of the rafters, this method is not advisable to use. The effectiveness of thermal insulation work performed using this technology depends on the correct installation and the tightness of the insulation to the rafters.

2. Along the rafters. Installation of thermal insulation along the rafters is carried out in 2 cases: if the thickness of the insulation layer, which was determined by the calculation, is greater than the width of the rafter legs, or if the thermal insulation work is carried out after laying the roof. The efficiency of roof insulation from the inside along the rafters is higher, since it does not form “cold bridges.” To insulate a slope with your own hands using this method, you need to nail a sheathing made of a metal profile or wooden blocks to the rafters, and then attach insulation to it. Polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam, mineral wool, and polyurethane foam are mounted along the rafters.

3. Insulating the attic floor. If the roof is of the cold type, then it is the floor between the living floor and the attic that is insulated, since the efficiency of such thermal insulation work is much higher and the cost is lower. Loose and tile insulation is used to insulate the attic floor. The easiest way to install floors is to fill the space between the floor joists with expanded clay or sawdust mixture, the thickness of which is determined by calculation.

Important! The cost of thermal insulation work depends on the area of ​​the roof slopes, the price of insulation, as well as the thickness of the material, which an engineering calculation helps to calculate. The cheapest way is considered to be insulating the ceiling under the attic with fill-in insulation. However, maximum efficiency can be achieved with an integrated approach, using waterproofing and vapor barrier materials during installation.

Types of insulation

The effectiveness of thermal insulation work depends on the right choice material. The quality of insulation is determined by the following parameters: thermal conductivity coefficient per 1 m2 of area, density and weight of 1 m2 of material. It must have high resistance to temperature changes, frost, low hygroscopicity and thermal conductivity. It is important to take into account the service life of the insulation, since dismantling and replacing thermal insulation material with your own hands without removing the roof covering is a costly and time-consuming process. Professional roofers use:

· Mineral wool. To insulate the slope, you can use glass wool, stone wool or slag wool. The thermal resistance of these materials is 1.19 W/(m2/K), the thermal conductivity coefficient is 0.042 W/mK. It is available in the form of rolls, mats or slabs of different thicknesses. Among the range of mineral wool, it is easy to select a material of the thickness determined by the calculation. This material is mounted along the rafters or between the rafters, as it is elastic and fits tightly to the frame elements. The mass of 1 m2 of mineral insulation weighs 15-38 kg.

· Polystyrene foam and extruded polystyrene foam. These insulation materials based on foamed polystyrene have a thermal resistance of 1.35 W/(m2/K) - 6.35 W/(m2/K). They have the form of slabs of different thicknesses with standard sizes. Polystyrene foam and extruded polystyrene foam are more convenient to install on rafters. Since it is a rigid material, gaps remain between it and the rafters during installation. Weight 1 m2 heat insulating materials based on polystyrene foam is only 9-15 kg, which allows installation without reinforcing the frame and sheathing.

· Polyurethane foam. Rigid polyurethane foam in the form of foam is used to insulate slopes. It is applied to the inner surface of the slope using a special installation that foams the liquid mixture using air or carbon dioxide. The thermal resistance of this material is 1.85 W/(m2/K) – 9.26 W/(m2/K), thermal conductivity 0.027 W/mK. The weight of the material is only 11-22 per 1 m2. The density of roof insulation based on polyurethane foam is in the range of 54-55 g/m3.

Professional roofers recommend using a respirator, safety glasses, and gloves when working with thermal insulation materials. Since many insulation materials generate dust, releasing small particles that fall into Airways person, causing harm to health. Expenses are a meager price to pay for comfort under the roof of your home, optimal humidity levels and the absence of fungi. An additional plus is the necessary sound insulation, which is so important in houses with a metal roof.

Roof insulation is best done using fiber thermal insulators (usually mineral wool or glass wool). The price of these materials is quite affordable. The materials also have an equally high degree of protection from cold and noise.

Mineral wool, in terms of thermal conductivity and durability, is the most best option. This versatile material has been successfully used for many years for facades, roofs and even floors.

Mineral wool, as is known, has the ability to quickly absorb moisture, which is why it significantly loses its beneficial features. Therefore, it is laid between the roof rafters on a layer of vapor barrier film, which can be purchased at any hardware store at a relatively low price. The bottom insulation is covered with plasterboard, clapboard or any other finishing material, and on top - covered with a diffusion or anti-condensation membrane attached to the rafters or roof sheathing. Remember, it is necessary to leave some ventilated space between the insulation and the film. ,Then, excess moisture from the fiber could easily evaporate. Only then can you begin installing the roof covering. It is advisable to maintain the sequence of all layers, otherwise the cost of omission may be too high.

IN in some cases For thermal insulation of the roof, you can use extrusion, which is a more expensive “relative” of foam plastic. Its price is indeed still high, although in terms of operational parameters it is somewhat comparable to mineral wool. We recommend using extruded polystyrene foam for the floor.

Insulation tasks

Roof insulation is a mandatory technological procedure, without which it is impossible to operate a residential building in the Russian climate. Without thermal insulation work, 20-30% of heat loss occurs through the roof surface, which increases fuel consumption and heating costs. Installation of insulation solves the following problems:

1. Optimizes temperature regime inside the house. Insulation prevents heated air from escaping into the atmosphere, meaning less wood, gas or electricity is required to maintain the optimal temperature.

2. Protects the roof from overheating. IN summer time roofs made of materials with high thermal conductivity become very hot, making it impossible to stay in the attic. Insulation of the slope slows down this process, protecting the roof from excessive heating from the sun.

3. Prevents the formation of icicles and ice. Installation of insulation does not allow the lower surface of the roof to heat up, thanks to this the snow does not melt and ice does not form. As the ice crust melts, it scratches the roofing material, accelerating the formation of corrosion.

4. Reduces noise levels during rain, hail, and wind. The insulation has a high noise-canceling ability, so it dampens the sounds of falling drops, hail and wind.

Insulation methods

Before starting work on roof insulation, you need to choose the method that will be used. In general, the choice will be influenced by only one point: whether it is planned to use the attic space as an attic or whether it will be non-residential. If in the future you plan to build another room under the roof, you will need to carry out insulation directly from the inside of the roof.

If, due to the area of ​​the attic or other features of the attic space, it is not possible to organize a room there, the issue of insulation must be resolved regarding the ceilings, which are the ceiling for the rooms in the house.

Important! The insulation technology will depend on the type of roof on the house. If the roof is flat, you will need to insulate it both outside and inside. If it is pitched - only from the inside.


Selecting material for roof insulation

So, the roof is prepared, now you need to choose the material for its insulation. On modern market There is such a variety of materials for insulating a roof that at first you can simply get confused.

However, if you figure it out in order, then deciding on the choice of insulation will not be so difficult.

§ Fiberglass. This material is most often used to insulate pitched roofs. It has excellent thermal insulation and good soundproofing, provides vapor barrier and fire resistance, which is again important when choosing a material for roof insulation. Inside this insulation there are fibers filled with air. This explains such good qualities fiberglass. It is worth saying that this is one of the most economical ways to insulate a roof.

§ Polyurethane foam. This is a relatively modern way to insulate a roof with your own hands. This material, unlike many other materials, is not glued or nailed to the roof surface, but is sprayed onto it. This is a very interesting way to insulate a roof: polyurethane foam is sprayed onto the entire necessary surface, adheres perfectly and reliably to it and forms a continuous structure with absolutely no seams, which does not allow moisture or cold to pass through.

§ Expanded polystyrene. This material has excellent value for money. In addition, the insulation has long and reliably proven itself in the market building materials. Expanded polystyrene has excellent thermal insulation and soundproofing; its only drawback is that when performing roof insulation work, you need to perform many, albeit simple, steps to install it.

§ Mineral wool. This has long been a well-known material for insulating floors; mineral wool is inexpensive and easy to work with.

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Roof insulation technology

To insulate the roof you need the following tools:

§ hammer;

§ Bulgarian;

§ plane;

§ hydraulic gun;

§ screwdriver;

§ screwdriver;

§ clamping tool;

§ goniometer;

§ doboynik;

§ level;

§ hacksaw.

When studying the range of building materials for roof insulation, you should take into account that the savings here should be reasonable. For example, if the roof is made of metal corrugated sheets, it is better to choose mineral wool for thermal insulation. When assessing the available options, we pay attention to the following characteristics:

· thermal conductivity of insulation: this indicator should have the lowest possible value;

· weight of the material - the heavier the insulation, the greater the load on the roof will be;

· degree of resistance to mechanical or climatic influences.

It is best to choose one of these materials:

· mineral wool slabs;

· glass wool;

· expanded polystyrene panels.

Important! The building material chosen for roof insulation must be sufficiently soft and have good elasticity. This will allow them to completely fill the space between the rafters.

According to insulation technology, materials (mineral wool, expanded polystyrene, polystyrene foam, etc.) must be placed in layers. Their task will be to preserve heat in the home, as well as provide vapor barrier and waterproofing. To install waterproofing from the inside, you can use roofing material or a special film - they will become an obstacle to the penetration of moisture into the insulating material.

To perform a vapor barrier on walls, we choose from the following materials:

· glassine;

· roofing material;

· polyethylene film;

· vapor barrier membrane;

· foil materials.

Important! When choosing insulation, you should not take the material that was used to build the house as a guide. It is necessary to take into account the climatic features of the area where the house is located.

First, let's look at ways to insulate pitched roofs.

Before you begin insulation, you need to decide what purpose the room located directly under this roof will have.

If it is just an attic space where there is no need for heat, then in this case we insulate the attic floor itself, that is, the ceiling between the joists, this is where the insulation should be laid, and not between the roof rafters. In this case, it is best to insulate the roof yourself with mineral wool. To do this, you need to lay the insulation itself along the joists, and cover it with a membrane on top so that steam can escape.

But if it is supposed to be done under the roof living space attic type, then the instructions on how to insulate the roof with your own hands will be completely different.

First, you need to make a layer of waterproofing to ensure that the insulation is protected from external influences and from possible getting wet. The insulation must always be dry!

The waterproofing membrane should be laid over the sheathing on the outside of the roof and secured with counter battens. Here it is possible that the waterproofing membrane will sag slightly - this is acceptable. The main thing is that the sagging is no more than 100 mm.

Then the actual insulation should begin. Plates of material for insulation should be laid between the rafters in such a way that there are no gaps left in any case, and if you plan to insulate the roof in two layers, then the insulation must be laid on top of each other in such a way that the second layer necessarily overlaps the seams between the material in the first layer, that is, lay the insulation in a checkerboard pattern.

At the next stage, it is necessary to lay a vapor barrier film over the insulation, which will protect the material from condensation and unnecessary moisture. This vapor barrier membrane should be attached to the sheathing bars using a staple gun. In places where there are joints, the film should be laid overlapping with a large gap and additionally secured with tape.

Now we need to consider the insulation of a flat roof.

Here, as well as with a pitched roof, you first need to decide on the purpose of the roof itself and the room that is located under it.

If you plan to use a flat roof as a garden area, sports ground or just terraces, then in this case you need to pay special attention to the fact that the roof must be so strong as to withstand very serious loads.

For such a roof, you first need to do cement screed directly on the reinforced concrete floor slab. This is done in order to form a slight slope.

After this, it is necessary to install waterproofing using the technology described above.

Then you need to lay a layer of expanded polystyrene on top with a density of more than 35 kg/sq.m. This layer must be covered with fiberglass in order to obtain good filtration.

A layer of gravel should be poured on top of the fiberglass. After this, you can decorate the flat roof as desired with any tiles, paving or floor.

Another algorithm of actions is possible to insulate a flat roof. To do this, you need to apply foam concrete to the vapor barrier layer so that the layer thickness is at least 270 mm, then lay a foam fiber concrete screed on top. A membrane covering can be made over this entire structure.

In the event that under flat roof If there is an attic space, then the vapor barrier and insulation should be laid in the attic itself, but the waterproofing layer should be laid under the roofing material itself.

Successful installation of a warm roof requires a special understanding of the purpose and properties of all materials used. A constructive approach to their selection, special knowledge and skills are important. If the homeowner has a clear idea of ​​how to arrange a “roofing pie” on the roof country house, then he will not only be able to build a high-quality roof, but also create comfortable conditions for living in the house for a long period of time.

Image 1. Installation of a warm roof.

When creating a warm roof, it is necessary to take into account not only the climate of the region, but also the shape of the roof, the angle of inclination of the structure, the strength of the floors, etc. Creating a “roofing pie,” that is, a warm roof, requires the installation of a number of layers, as shown in the figure (IMAGE 1). The design must include vapor barrier and waterproofing, ventilation gap, sheathing, rafters, and roofing.

When choosing insulation, you can choose mineral wool, expanded clay, basalt slabs, glass wool, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam. To facilitate the installation of the structure, you can choose the width of the slab that corresponds to the gap between the two rafters. For residential attic spaces, the roof is insulated not only from the outside, but also from the inside. Otherwise, this is not necessary.

Methods for insulating roofs of various shapes

Support pitched roofs There are two parallel walls of the building supporting the inclined surface. Gable roofs may have the shape of a regular rectangle. If the roof is hip, its slope has the shape of an isosceles triangle. This requirement assumes that in most cases the roofing elements are rectangular in shape. This makes it easier to install thermal insulation, eliminating the possible appearance of an unclosed wedge, to close which you will need to cut and adjust the roofing material. This method is incorrect, since installing a warm roof requires sufficient material and time resources. Eventually appearance the building will be damaged.

For isosceles slopes hip roof It requires cutting the roofing material according to one or two templates. To save materials, you can use their halves by laying these elements on opposite sides of the slopes. Individual cutting of roofing materials for two slopes will be necessary when, by mistake or negligence, the roof slopes will be at different angles. This will entail doubling the time required to complete the work, but not save materials.

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Warm roof technology

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Necessary materials and tools and work procedure

During the roof installation process wooden house you will need:

  • axe;
  • level;
  • plumb line;
  • roulette;
  • hammer;
  • plywood;
  • film;
  • construction stapler.

The work is performed in the following order:

  1. The waterproofing layer is attached to the counter-lattice bars using staples, taking into account its sagging.
  2. The insulation is installed in such a way that there are no gaps between the rafters.
  3. If necessary, a second layer of insulation is laid so that the seams of the two layers cannot coincide.
  4. The vapor barrier film is fixed to the sheathing using a stapler.
  5. The film is laid overlapping and secured with tape.

It should be remembered that a warm roof is installed with your own hands so that there is a little space between the three layers so that condensation does not form.

The resulting “pie” is closed using plywood.

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Device modern roof is a complex multilayer structure, and the materials used are manufactured according to the latest technologies based on advanced developments. The roofing “pie” contains insulating and heat-saving layers. From adverse weather conditions interior spaces Buildings are protected primarily by waterproofing and insulation.

A competently designed and professionally constructed multi-layer warm roof helps the residents of the house to survive cold weather and precipitation without problems.

The truss structure shown in the photo, which is the roof frame, must be strong and reliable, otherwise the roof will soon not be able to perform its functions, which will lead to leaks and expensive repairs.

When creating a roof covering, you should also not forget about providing additional ventilation. Freely circulating fresh air prevents condensation from accumulating between the dense layers of the roofing pie. Rafter structures and other roof elements made of natural wood provide the necessary level of ventilation and at the same time slightly add weight to the roofing system. Another argument in favor of using these materials is their environmental safety.


When a warm roof is being built, one cannot do without reinforcing layers, which are hard and reliable materials, such as concrete tiles, gravel, etc. They protect less durable roofing products from mechanical damage. True, the materials used for arranging the roof, which have considerable weight, make its structure heavier, so such nuances should certainly be taken into account. The topmost layer of the “pie” is the covering, which is created using roofing material. The choice of its texture, color, and aesthetic characteristics depends on the individual preferences of property owners and the design solution; it can be corrugated sheets, metal tiles, slate or more modern products.

Roof insulation materials

How well a warm roof can be made with your own hands largely depends on the insulation materials used. When choosing waterproofing and insulation, the design parameters included in the project are taken into account. For example, in the region where construction is planned, climatic conditions require the house to be well protected from moisture and precipitation, or there are strong gusts of wind.

When carrying out calculations, all expected loads on the building, and accordingly on the roof, are certainly taken into account. Therefore, the presence of layers of the roofing “pie” for each house can vary significantly.


Waterproofing layer . It is necessary to create protection against moisture. Frequent and heavy rains, melting snow and fogs can cause great damage to the building and the people in it. Usage waterproofing materials- a reliable obstacle to water trying to penetrate inside the roof structure.

Vapor barrier layer . The use of this type of insulation provides high-quality protection against all kinds of fumes and prevents the appearance of condensation on various surfaces.

Thermal insulation layer . Allows you to retain heat inside the building and prevents cold air masses from entering the attic from the street. The range of thermal insulation materials today is huge, so you can choose the necessary products for insulation, taking into account the individual requirements for a particular home.


Soundproofing layer . Materials to suppress loud sounds coming from outside are not used as often as other types of insulation, but they provide a comfortable environment for people to stay indoors.

Types of thermal insulation

A large list of insulation products allows you to choose the best option and create a truly warm roof in accordance with the design solution. You can give preference to inexpensive materials or purchase modern products manufactured on the basis of the latest scientific developments. True, the latter option will cost much more to homeowners, but it will provide them reliable protection buildings and long term operation.

Expanded clay . This method of roof insulation has been used for a long time. This is a lightweight building material in the form of oval or round granules, which is made from natural baked clay. Thus, the flowability of expanded clay goes well with the thermal insulation properties of the original raw material when creating a warm roof with your own hands.


Styrofoam . Roof insulation using it is considered one of the most popular thermal insulation options used for both pitched roofs, and for flat ones. It extends the service life roofing structure.


Polyurethane foam . It belongs to the group of gas-filled plastics and is considered a more technologically advanced heat insulator. The work of insulating with polyurethane foam is easier than using expanded clay. This rather soft material is produced in the form of large slabs, and this is related to the features of its installation. During installation, additional reinforcement of polyurethane foam in the roof structure is required.

Penoplex . Using this modern material refers to new solutions in the implementation of thermal insulation. Compact foam boards retain heat excellently, although they are flexible. The layer of thermal insulation created by them is thinner than that of similar materials. Thanks to the characteristics described above, penoplex is becoming increasingly popular.