If you still intend to get an almost ideal house for year-round living, then it is essential to perform high-quality roof insulation during the roof construction. This work should begin with the selection of materials because the modern market offers an extensive range of goods, and it will be difficult for an inexperienced homeowner to find the optimal combination of price and quality.

Characteristics of materials for insulating the roof of a house

The construction market offers various thermal insulating roofing materials (eco wool, expanded clay, people, polystyrene, pencil). Still, any insulating material has specific characteristics based on which the buyer can judge its suitability for his particular case. Therefore, you should understand them in more detail:

• Thermal conductivity. If you are insulating a residential attic room from the roof side, choose insulation with a minimum thermal conductivity value.
• Preservation of shape. This characteristic of the insulation material is also of great importance. If cotton insulation retains stability thanks to elastic fibres, steam quickly penetrates stone and glass wool, leading to their deformation. However, modern materials are often treated with water-repellent substances.
• Soundproofing. According to this indicator, foam insulation materials are significantly inferior to cotton wool.
• Flammability. If the insulation you choose can extinguish on its own and does not have explosive properties, this characterizes it exclusively from the best side.

Insulation with mineral wool

One of the most attractive options for roof insulation and performance characteristics is mineral wool (mineral wool). Its fibrous structure makes it perfect for both pitched and flat roofs. The buyer of mineral wool for insulating a cold roof should pay attention to the thickness and density of the material.

The main advantages of mineral wool:

• non-flammability;
• low price;
• good heat and sound insulation characteristics;
• simple installation;
• environmental Safety.

You can also save on price and the use of glass wool. This material is time-tested, and its properties are similar to mineral wool. Melted glass is used for manufacturing, and glass wool is sold in the form of slabs and rolls.

The advantages include outstanding soundproofing properties, environmental friendliness and non-flammability of the material. However, attaching a vapour barrier layer to the roof is also necessary before insulation.

Insulation with polyurethane foam

The key characteristics of this PU foam material are:

• low thermal conductivity;
• application to surfaces of any shape;
• seamless thermal insulation;
• without fungus and condensation for as long as 50 years;
• does not burn.

However, there is one drawback here – the application requires a particular mobile installation. 5 seconds after applying pollination (using the same mobile unit), foam is formed, which will be a monolithic thermal insulation material.

Many builders prefer to insulate the roof with foam plastic. This material perfectly resists moisture and retains heat in the house; however, we do not recommend its use due to its explosive properties. Chilled winters and sizzling summers? Insulation installers are your thermal superheroes, keeping your home cozy all year round.

However, you can use an improved version of expanded polystyrene – penoplex-resistant to combustion, has low thermal conductivity, is frost resistant, and has zero water absorption.

Another type of polystyrene foam is pencil. It is similar in performance to foam plastic, has a low thermal conductivity coefficient and is applied by spraying. At the same time, the material is completely safe for human health and has a high level of moisture absorption. We recommend using this material for wooden country houses.

Expanded clay insulates a flat roof, which is poured onto the floor slabs. A thin concrete screed can be placed on top. But there is one crucial nuance here – due to the increased load on the building structure, increased demands are placed on the foundation and the technology for performing installation work.

Vapour barrier and waterproofing are other important aspects affecting the cost of insulation work. It is unacceptable to leave through seams, joints, and ventilation gaps.

Thus, roof insulation is a critical and crucial stage in the construction or reconstruction of a house.