How to insulate a cold apartment from the inside: suitable materials + installation instructions

frame

The most reliable technology for insulating walls from the inside provides for the construction of a frame. For this, depending on the climate, wooden beams or aluminum profiles can be used, fixed on the inside of the building envelope in a vertical direction. The thickness of the frame is chosen depending on the selected insulation, and the horizontal distances between its elements are chosen according to the size of the sheets of material.

Frames are not made when insulating building envelopes with polystyrene.

Almost all methods of how to make wall insulation involve the installation of one layer of heat-insulating material. When installing the second one, it is also recommended to make your own frame for it. If heating radiators interfere with the installation of the selected material, non-penofol is laid behind them.

Pie wall elements

Before insulating the wall of the house and attic, it is necessary to properly lay the layers of the cake. The wall pie is a succession of layers of materials that serve to provide a comfortable microclimate in the house.

The elements of a wooden house wall pie are:

• timber frame. Most often made of bars 15x15 cm;
• horizontal wooden crate, sometimes a metal profile is used;
• insulation made of mineral wool or expanded polystyrene;
• the membrane is multifunctional, performing the function of wind protection and at the same time is a vapor barrier. Represents a dense polyethylene film;
• vertical crate;
• finishing material;
• vapor barrier film;
• internal lining (drywall, lining).

wall pie

For all wooden wall elements, it is necessary to use high-quality wood, which must be dried in a natural way. In addition, materials should be chosen of high quality and durable, so that the walls perform their functions for many years.

External insulation of the walls of a corner apartment

Facade insulation scheme.

can be done in 3 ways: “sandwich” method, “ventilated facade” method, plaster facade method.

1. Sandwich method. Warming is carried out using 3-layer panels with heat-insulating material inside.Insulation can also be located between the bearing inner wall of the house and the decorative outer wall. Most often, the insulation is mineral wool, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, fiberglass. All these materials have good thermal insulation properties, mineral wool and fiberglass, in addition, have additional sound-absorbing properties, polyurethane foam - waterproofing properties, i.e. inert to mold, expanded polystyrene is a fairly cheap material.
2. The “ventilated facade” method consists in the fact that between the bearing wall of the building and a special cladding, which also serves as a protective screen that prevents air from blowing out, not only a heater is attached, but also a steel frame, which provides free air ventilation, eliminating the appearance of dampness and reducing heat dissipation of the wall of the house.
3. Method of plaster facade. Mineral wool insulation is attached to the outer wall of the house and a thin layer of plaster is applied on top.

Vapor barrier and waterproofing of the wall

With internal wall insulation, it is necessary to install a vapor barrier and waterproofing layer.

Vapor barrier materials can be:

• polypropylene films;
• foamed polymer films;
• foil films;
• diffusion membranes.

The vapor barrier layer is made taking into account the specifics of its installation:

• fasten the film to the crate with an overlap stapler, glue the joints with adhesive tape;
• the crate on which the vapor barrier is attached should be no more than 5 cm;
• the vapor barrier layer is laid using the continuous contour method around the entire perimeter.

Vapor barrier installation

A waterproofing layer that protects against moisture coming from outside is laid on the wall. Styling nuances:

• the waterproofing film is attached to the crate, leaving space for ventilation;
• a profile is attached to the film;
• a heater is laid between the profile, and then a vapor barrier layer.

Wall waterproofing

The most popular waterproofing material is roofing material. Vapor barrier and waterproofing must be installed to prevent condensation and keep the wall cake dry. Now let's look at ways to insulate walls from the inside.

General recommendations

They insulate the floor on the loggia or balcony by mounting the log and placing heat-insulating material between them. A rough floor is mounted on top. Many people know that there is such a way as placing a heat-insulating material and pouring a screed.

You should not resort to this approach, since the screed weighs a lot and creates a strong load on the balcony itself.

Therefore, when determining how to make a floor on a balcony and insulate it, all people reject the screed option.

The joists raise the level of the floor.

It must be the same or less. Depending on this rule, heat-insulating material is selected. The least thin floor on the loggia can be made thanks to penofol, which is always used with penoplex.

One loggia insulation to create the desired temperature in winter is not enough. To do this, you need to organize heating. It can be made by anyone. The exception is centralized. It is forbidden to take him to the loggia. Most often, electric radiators are used or they create a warm floor on the balcony.

Material Selection Guidelines

Each group of insulating materials has its advantages and disadvantages, which in one way or another limit the scope.Therefore, it is necessary to choose a heater taking into account the conditions and place of operation. For example, it is forbidden to use combustible materials in wooden buildings. Below are the basic principles for choosing a heater for different surfaces.

Which heater to choose

Table. The choice of thermal insulation for different coatings.

insulated place	Material selection
Reinforced concrete ceilings	It is best to insulate the outside with polymeric materials. As an alternative, you can use Penoplex, but on condition that the technology is followed correctly.
concrete monolith	As a rule, polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam is used for their insulation. It is necessary to insulate a private house from the side of the roof.
Attic room ceilings	It is not recommended to use glass wool as an attic insulation. For this purpose, basalt fiber is excellent.
Ceilings in bath rooms	For steam rooms and baths, it is better to use environmentally friendly heaters, for example, gravel, sawdust or expanded clay. Also, many use natural moss.
Wooden ceilings	For thermal insulation, it is better to use a mixture of sawdust with clay, expanded clay or basalt wool. Insulation should be carried out from the side of the roof.

The ceiling in the bath needs insulation

Types of materials for insulation

Thermal insulation materials are represented by a number of effective solutions with excellent characteristics.

mineral wool

Several varieties of mineral wool are produced:

• glass wool - the material is relevant for warming technical areas, basements and attics, the composition is capable of releasing toxic substances;
• slag wool - also due to the toxicity of the composition, it is not used in the arrangement of residential spaces;
• stone wool - made from rock waste, it is distinguished by high performance and environmental integrity. For thermal protection of internal surfaces, basalt wool is most often used.

Basalt wool, like all varieties of mineral wool, is hygroscopic, therefore it is used together with a hydro-vapor barrier membrane.

Use of Styrofoam

The foam is 98% air bubbles, the rest is the polymer base. The material stands out with an extremely low coefficient of thermal conductivity, is easy to install, and is effective in outdoor and indoor use. However, the foam is combustible, although the composition contains modifying inclusions, it releases toxic compounds during combustion. Most often, the insulation is finished with plaster or drywall.

Extruded polystyrene foam

This type of foam has improved thermal insulation properties. Extruded polystyrene foam does not allow steam to pass through and does not absorb moisture. The material helps to move the dew point to the outer plane of the building envelope or into the thickness, eliminating the formation of condensate on the inner surfaces. To insulate the walls of a corner apartment with extruded polystyrene foam, as well as polystyrene foam, it is necessary to prepare the base, eliminate defects and irregularities.

Extruded polystyrene foam - material for insulation of a corner apartment

The use of keramoizol

Keramoizol as a liquid version of the finishing composition is used for internal and external thermal protection of enclosing structures.The products are distinguished by high thermal insulation characteristics, inertness to biological threats, resistance to atmospheric influences. Six layers of keramoizol, when applied alternately in horizontal and vertical directions, are able to provide the maximum level of heat saving in corner rooms.

Penoizol

Foam insulation is a modified liquid foam with high adhesion properties. Penoizol is relevant for filling voids and sealing joints, it is able to form a monolithic heat-insulating layer without cold bridges. The foam-air composition is prepared in a special installation immediately before application, the mixture is sprayed under pressure. The advantages of penoizol are the high tightness of the thermal barrier and the relative availability of the material compared to other types of sprayed heaters.

Using Astratek

Astratek is an innovative solution that allows you to minimize the cost of usable space when insulating the walls of corner rooms from the inside. A liquid substance with polymer inclusions is applied with a paint brush or an airbrush is used. Astratek stands out for its excellent insulating properties: a 1 cm thick layer as a thermal barrier is comparable to a 50 cm mineral wool slab. When applied, the material is able to form a uniform coating that requires minimal processing for the installation of the final finish. Astratek is presented on the market in the form of facade solutions and universal purpose.

Proper internal wall insulation in a house or apartment

There are only two ways to insulate the walls in the rooms from the inside and not get a problem in the form of dampness:

• recreating a multi-layer wall (place a half-brick wall with insulation at some distance);
• make the wall heated, and then insulate it.

These options work, but as you can see, they "eat up" a significant amount of space and cost decent money. In each case, it is necessary to consider what kind of insulation and how much is needed, but the wall cake remains the same.

Second wall

At some distance from the main wall, a second wall is installed with a thickness of 10-12 cm. Between the two walls, a layer of insulation is attached to the inner one, which is required for these conditions. At the same time, a ventilation gap of at least 3 cm must remain before the outer wall. In total, this entire structure will be 20-25 cm from the main wall. It will “eat” a very considerable area.

Options for insulating walls from the inside

As you can see, in this case, the dew point can be inside the insulation or on the inner surface of the wall facing the street. To be able to remove the formed moisture, you can make forced ventilation by installing one or two exhaust fans.

Since in this case the insulation will get wet, it is necessary to choose one that is not afraid of moisture. These are polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene, foamed glass. You can use some types of stone wool, but only those that are not afraid of moisture (there are some).

It is necessary to fix the heat-insulating material simultaneously with the construction of the walls. They laid it out to a certain height, fixed the thermal insulation. It is inconvenient to work, but there is no other way out.

Heating with electricity

The idea of ​​this method is that with the internal insulation of a concrete or brick wall move the dew point inside the wall. To do this, it must be heated.The easiest way is to attach an electric floor heating mat. At some distance from it, a heater is installed, on top of which there is a finishing layer.

How to insulate a wall in an apartment from the inside

In this case, there are no problems with the removal of moisture, and much less space is required for the installation of the system: from 8 cm (with a ventilation gap of 3 cm and a heater thickness of 5 cm).

With this method, the heat-insulating material can be any. To install it, first a crate is made, then a counter-crate, and a suitable insulation is already attached to it.

Do I need to insulate the end wall from the inside

A photo. Thermal insulation scheme of the end wall

The need for thermal insulation of the walls of an apartment in a panel house arises quite often, especially in end apartments on the upper floors. Outside, in this case, it is not always possible to carry out thermal insulation of the walls, the way out of this situation will be the installation of thermal protection from the side of the living quarters. You can carry out the insulation of the end wall in the apartment on your own, we will tell you further how to do it correctly.

Such work is quite laborious, it is worth to start immersing yourself in this topic, to study modern heat-insulating materials and technologies for their application. Having correctly selected materials and technology, consistently follow all the steps. The work done will give its positive results, and the house will be filled with comfort and warmth, in spite of any frosts. Let's start the review with the choice of modern thermal insulation in the apartment.

Choice of material and tool

There are many brands of heaters of several main types on the modern market:

• Mineral wool. Basalt, glass and slag.
• Styrofoam.
• Polyurethane foam.
• Ecowool.
• Bulk materials. (When insulating apartments, they are practically not used)

When choosing a material, you need to compare the available alternatives according to the following parameters:

• Thermal conductivity. The lower the better.
• Moisture absorption coefficient. Materials with lower values ​​work more efficiently.
• Breathability. Smaller values ​​also mean better thermal insulation.
• Fire resistance class. Indicates the fire safety of the material.
• Life time.
• Compound. It is better to choose materials without harmful components.
• What is the price. The last but one of the most important features.

The most popular materials have the following characteristics.

Basalt wool

Produced from volcanic rocks, the structure consists of short fibers of great rigidity. Supplied in mats

It has a high density, it is necessary to pay special attention to the strength of fastening the mats to the wall

The material is completely non-combustible, slows down the spread of fire. Does not contain harmful substances. It does not form them either during operation or in case of fire.

Installation of basalt wool

On the topic - how to insulate the door in a private house.

glass wool

It is made from waste products and broken glass. Its structure is formed by long elastic fibers. Supplied in rectangular mats and rolls. It has a lower density and greater elasticity than basalt wool.

It is also fireproof, does not form harmful substances.

A major disadvantage is the reduction in thermal insulation characteristics when wet.

Cutting glass wool

Styrofoam

Expanded polystyrene is often referred to as Styrofoam. The material has good thermal insulation properties, easy to install on rigid structures.

The main disadvantage of the material is that it burns well, and with the release of substances harmful to health. Styrofoam is also very brittle and not resistant to tensile and compressive loads, it easily crumbles. Extruded polystyrene foam is devoid of this drawback.

Installation of foam on the adhesive composition

polyurethane foam

This foamed plastic, also called penoizol, has excellent thermal insulation properties. It is sprayed liquid, foams and solidifies on the insulated surface in an even continuous layer without seams and without joints that cause heat loss.

It has excellent moisture resistance, zero hygroscopicity and vapor permeability. A significant disadvantage is the high cost of equipment for spraying.

Polyurethane foam spraying

Ecowool

A new heat insulator on the Russian construction market is made of cellulose fiber impregnated with boric acid and sodium triborate.

The material is the most environmentally friendly, does not burn and does not form any harmful substances. It is also sprayed onto vertical surfaces, wetted with a water-adhesive composition.

The equipment is cheaper than for spraying polyurethane foam, but also seems to be expensive.

Auxiliary materials and tools

In addition to the insulation itself, additional materials will be required:

• vapor barrier membrane and double-sided adhesive tape for gluing its canvases.
• External cladding: plaster or ventilated facade made of plastic or porcelain stoneware.
• Internal lining - moisture resistant drywall, wallpaper.
• Means that prevent the development of mold and fungus
• Lathing of wooden slats or metal profiles
• Fasteners.

Tools are needed ordinary, for general construction work. You will need:

• perforator or impact drill;
• construction knife;
• hacksaw;
• Bulgarian;
• screwdriver;
• tape measure, level, square.

To apply protective compounds, you will need an airbrush or roller.

Preparatory work

If you plan to insulate the walls from the outside, you should dismantle elements such as the air conditioning system, satellite dish, etc. This is due to the fact that thermal insulation made in large solid sheets is more effective than laying the material in small pieces.

Surface treatment

Surface preparation for installation of insulation includes cleaning and priming. Cleaning is necessarily carried out in cases where the wall of the house outside was painted or covered with a decorative “fur coat”, and at the moment this coating has cracked, peeled off and peeled off.

After cleaning, the wall is primed and kept for a while until the surface is completely dry. The optimal conditions for outdoor work are dry, calm weather and air temperature from 5 to 30°C.

Material fixing

Installation of insulation should start from the top and lay out row by row horizontally. A necessary condition for the most effective insulation is a spade over the line of the panel seam by 5 cm or more, and when working with brickwork, a spade over the outer perimeter of your apartment.

Styrofoam or polystyrene plates are attached to the wall with the help of "fungi" at the rate of 5 or more pieces per plate. If polystyrene boards protrude beyond the edge of windows or doors, pieces of the required shape are cut with a saw.

ventilation gap

Effective thermal insulation of walls provides for the formation of a ventilation gap. This stage is especially important if mineral wool is used as a heater. To maintain the material in its original form, free air circulation between it and the wall is necessary.

Moisture that is released outside through the wall of the house is removed along with air currents and does not settle on the insulation. This avoids unwanted moisture of the mineral wool.

Types of materials

The choice of insulation is not limited to the numbers indicated on the price tag. First of all, the material must be:

• durable;
• have a certificate of fire and sanitary safety;
• resistant to aging processes;
• biologically resistant (protected from rodents, moths and mold formation);
• capable of maintaining its original shape for a long time;
• have good heat-shielding characteristics.

Mineral wool

Leading among heat-shielding materials due to low cost, as well as compliance with all basic requirements.

The process of creating a heat-insulating layer consists in mounting a metal frame and placing mineral wool panels between the uprights of the structure. The work is completed by sheathing the frame filled with insulation, drywall sheets.

A significant minus of mineral wool is the ability to absorb moisture. The resulting dampness is an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria. In addition, excess water reduces thermal engineering priorities.

For a panel house, for example, the choice in favor of mineral wool will not be the most successful. However, in the event that it is necessary to insulate the walls of a wooden structure, it is better not to find mineral wool.

This natural organic material is able to spontaneously release the generated steam outside the structure, protecting the wood used for construction.

Styrofoam

One of the most important characteristics of insulating materials is moisture resistance and low specific gravity.

If mineral wool cannot boast of the ability to withstand moisture, then expanded polystyrene, both foamed and extruded (EPS), fully satisfies the requirement.

The advantages of the material also include a small specific gravity of the sheets and the absence of the need to install a metal frame.

All that is required is the insulation of the junctions of the expanded polystyrene sheets and the walls using polyurethane wool.

The sheets of expanded polystyrene themselves are attached to the wall with glue or dowels.

Styrofoam

Obtained by foaming a suspension polymer.

It differs by a specific structural structure, which determines high strength and long service life, exceeding the similar characteristic of popular mineral wool.

Polyfoam, despite its high popularity, has both significant pluses and minuses.

Pros:

• high resistance to moisture;
• excellent thermal insulation properties;
• resistant to mold and fungus;
• easy to handle and install;
• light;
• additional waterproofing is not required;
• has high resistance to temperature extremes, heat, frost;
• provides good sound insulation;
• cheap.

Minuses:

• needs protection from mechanical damage due to limited mechanical strength;
• does not pass air;
• fire hazardous;
• interaction with nitro-paints and nitro-varnishes should not be allowed;

polyurethane foam

This material is considered the leader among modern heaters due to its reliability. Among the disadvantages of polyurethane foam, the need to install frames is noted.

Adoption of additional security measures in connection with the application of a liquid two-component substance by spraying, as well as plastering with the additional use of nylon nets.

Among the advantages of polyurethane foam: high moisture resistance, minimum hardening time, no need to use fasteners.

glass wool

The characteristics are similar to mineral wool. The advantages include a lower cost than mineral wool. The main disadvantage is shrinkage over time. In addition, glass wool is characterized by high fragility of the fibers. This complicates installation and requires careful observance of safety regulations.

Environmentally friendly materials

We are talking about such unusual materials as straw, reeds, gypsum panels. Despite the difficulties in acquiring and finding a work contractor, this option for heaters is becoming increasingly popular.

But if there is no particular desire to search for a material and a performer, then you can use no less environmentally friendly materials - cork insulation or fiberboard, which is made from wood chips.

We plan work

Before you buy materials and take on tools, you should carefully plan your actions. A clearer understanding of the matter will save you from annoying mistakes and the need to redo everything in the future.

Wooden ceiling insulation scheme

The first question - is it possible to insulate the ceiling in the bath on your own? Or is it worth entrusting this business to a team of builders? The process of insulating the ceiling itself is not something complicated, therefore it is not difficult to perform it on your own, even without much experience in repair and construction. The main thing is to carefully observe the technology and approach the matter responsibly. The availability of the necessary materials also speaks in favor of self-insulating the ceiling - they can be found in any large hardware store or on the market.

The second question is what, in fact, needs to be done? Insulation of the ceiling in a cold bath consists of three stages:

• vapor barrier;
• thermal insulation;
• waterproofing.

As a result, a kind of “layer cake” should be obtained, the lower layer of which is the ceiling covering, and above it, vapor barrier, thermal insulation and waterproofing are located sequentially from bottom to top. More details about why this is necessary and how to do it will be described below. Now it's time to think about the choice of materials.

An example of a ceiling insulation scheme