For someone who has not spent a lifetime on a construction site, the question of how to insulate floors in a wooden house can be the most difficult. However, everything is much simpler than it might seem at first glance. Let's sort through all the insulation options that are used for this purpose, and choose the best one for each specific case.
Why to insulate the floor
We are all trying to save money, wherever we can - this is not a sign of greed, but the correct construction of our own budget. And if you know how to properly insulate floors, then you can reduce heating costs by about twenty percent. This is due to the fact that the floor temperature will always be three degrees higher than in the room itself. This means that you will be much more comfortable even with minimal use of your heating system.
Where to start
First you need to decide what type of foundation you will do in your new home. But even if you purchased finished housing, and the floors in it are cold, you can determine the type of foundation. And if the foundation is tape or the house is located on stilts, insulation is an extremely necessary measure. After all, at the base of the house there are still voids that can not give reliable thermal insulation. But how to warm the floors in a wooden house correctly if it has been built for quite some time? You need to choose the right insulation. It is best to give preference to well-known companies that have established themselves in the construction market. Because, saving on insulation, you can get high humidity in the house and even a fungus.
Types of materials
All heaters can be divided into the following types: mineral (expanded clay), plastic (foam and its derivatives), silicate (glass wool) and wood-based (ecowool or ordinary sawdust). You can choose exactly the material that you need. But you should remember an important rule - each of them has its own technology and rules for installation and application.
Getting to work
You can insulate the floor in a wooden house yourself, the main thing is to know how. The most common type of insulation can be called a double sex system. This is the so-called division into a finishing and rough floor. The first layer uses coarse, uncut planks that are fixed to the beams. It must be remembered that all wooden elements must be treated with an antiseptic and antifungal solution. A fine-mesh metal mesh spreads on them. It will help protect the house from rodents. Then you need to lay out a layer of vapor barrier film, which will prevent the release of warm air and the entry of cold. And mineral wool is already laid on it. The thickness of the insulation should be such that between the layers of the floor there is a gap of about 5 centimeters. This will help prevent moisture collection and provide reliable ventilation. On top of the mineral wool, another layer of vapor barrier is laid, after which you can begin to position the finishing floor. Now we know how to insulate the floor in a wooden house with mineral wool. With sawdust and ecowool the principle of action will remain the same. But what about the rest?
How to insulate floors in a wooden house with expanded clay
Expanded clay - the material is relatively cheap, but this does not mean at all that it is of poor quality. By its properties, this insulation even surpasses some materials - sawdust and chipboard. It is laid on a layer of waterproofing, in the role of which a regular film can also act. Then you need to mix expanded clay granules of different sizes and pour it on the prepared surface. The layer height should be at least 15 cm. This is necessary for maximum thermal insulation. After the material has been filled up and leveled, it is possible to lay a finishing floor.
That's all the tricks. Now you know how to insulate the floors in a wooden house. As you can see, all actions are simple, which means it’s quite possible to cope on your own. Successful construction or repair!