Warming the floor in a private house with your own hands: possible ways, materials

Completion of the house does not mean that the work process has come to an end. The further goal is to finish the premises and, what is especially important, the insulation work. The scale of these activities is not so extensive, but requires a delicate approach and compliance with technological nuances. The most important is the stage of thermal insulation. The energy-saving function of the house and the comfort of the microclimate depend on the quality of its performance. Implementing the insulation of the floor in a private house with their own hands is not difficult, if you choose the right material and technique for its installation. To date, this work can be done in different ways. Materials with a warming function are represented by natural raw materials, synthetic coatings, and also bulk components.

Warming of mineral wool

This is the traditional and the most popular option of house insulation. The material is presented on the market with slabs that can have different degrees of hardness and resistance to deformation processes. Laying is done on the floor or in several layers, or in one, but with the use of thick panels. The choice of the optimal solution should be made on the basis of the requirements not only to the thermal insulation effect, but also guided by the protection against moisture. If the floor is insulated with mineral wool in a building without a basement, then special requirements for waterproofing should not be presented. But when laying on the foundation with the basic preparation of the coating, the slabs should be treated with a hydrophobizing composition that lowers the water absorption function.

Fixation of the material is also carried out in the usual ways. Depending on the type of coating you can use glue or nails with screws. Also, some manufacturers of mineral wool offer special brackets and fasteners for more reliable installation. As a result, the user can count on the average coefficient of thermal conductivity, good sound insulation and the function of a fire-resistant barrier.

Warming with expanded polystyrene

Perhaps, this is the second most popular material for isolation. It is recommended to use EPS-C foam polystyrene for insulation of the floor covering. This version of the 35 series is suitable for floor installation in a residential building of a private house. But if you want to create insulation in the harsh conditions of exploitation of the floor, you should refer to the 50 series. This floor insulation with expanded polystyrene can be carried out even in the garage, where loads from the car are assumed. The installation of the insulator is not complicated. Plates have a different format, for example, a width of 50-60 cm and a length of up to 120 cm. They are easy to process, customized for the configuration of the room.

You should also pay attention to the edges. The most practical variant with a milled edge for lapping is the groove-groove technique. This method is beneficial by eliminating the cold bridges. In terms of performing the insulation function, the floor insulation with expanded polystyrene is one of the best options. However, mastics and various resins with the addition of organic solvents are detrimental to this material, so when using the floor, care should be taken with its processing.

Application of expanded clay in thermal insulation

Heat-insulating expanded clay is produced in the form of porous light granules based on calcined clay. For the insulation of the floor covering it is desirable to use a fraction of 1-2 cm. The presence of such a layer in the floor construction will provide three functions at once: thermal insulation, screed formation and gravel cushion. But to perform these tasks, a good waterproofing may be required, since claydite has a disadvantage due to high water absorption. Typically, the insulation of the floor with expanded clay is layer by layer with the tamping of each subsequent mound to obtain a 15-cm layer.

The exact consumption of granular material is rarely calculated, so it is better to order 10% more in advance of the planned volume. Also, to facilitate the installation and strengthening of the formed substrate, it is recommended to fasten the claydite with cement. That is, a dry, compacted layer of granules is poured with a liquid cement mixture. Other methods for warming floors with expanded clay are also being practiced, with the inclusion of a binder, but the classic cement base is the most effective. With its help a strong base is formed, which can be used both as a screed and as a heater.

Claydite insulation in bags

Those who want to get a quick result with claydite, do not make special efforts, it is better to prefill the bags in bags. Actually, further formation of the thermal insulation base will be carried out by them at the rate of 3 bags per 1 m ² . Formed free niches should also be covered with expanded clay, after which make holes in the bags for air release. It is important to take into account that the insulation of the floor with expanded clay in bags will make it possible to organize an insulating layer no more than 20 cm. Such a height may not be enough to maintain thermal comfort in the living room, but it is enough for the same garage or utility room. However, if necessary, you can make an additional mound with a 10 cm rise.

Granulated slag insulation

This is another option for creating thermal insulation with the help of loose material. The granular slag has a glass-like structure and is represented by grains with a fraction of 0.7 to 1 cm. It is produced during the cooling of metallurgical slag, which in turn is a product of cast iron melting. From the point of view of operation, the material is quite attractive both as a heater and as a mechanically strong base. Performing the floor insulation in a private house with their own hands can be layers, but only on a flat surface. As with claydite, waterproofing should be provided. But this is relevant only if the water level near the house is elevated and there is no special drainage. Calculation of the slag volume can be as follows: 300 kg of material per 1 m ^{2 of} insulating layer with a thickness of 40 cm. The advantages of this method include: a good thermal insulation and no need for compaction.

Foam glass for insulation

It has already been noted more than once that the material for thermal insulation can provide for a special waterproofing. If this question is acute, then it makes sense to pay attention to foam glass. This is the same insulation, but its foamed glass with a closed cellular structure is absolutely impervious to water and moisture. If you plan to insulate the floor in a private house with your own hands, then it makes sense to choose in favor of blocks, the thickness of which can vary from 5 to 18 cm. It is better to refuse a frost because it is more difficult to install, and there may be additional requirements for insulation. Otherwise, foam glass is, perhaps, the best option. The layer of such insulation is not deformed, does not burn, protects the room from water and water vapor. True, the price of foam glass is higher than that of alternative materials.

Features of thermal insulation of a wooden covering

It is desirable to choose a heater, close in quality to the wooden flooring. It can be any of the natural materials. Laying is carried out on the ground or lag. The implementation of a special crate is a prerequisite in most board coverings, so it is possible and the insulation of a wooden floor in a private house is realized in the same configuration. The lower part of the general structure will be represented by a foundation, then a gravel mound can proceed, then a crate with a heat insulator and a plank coating.

Features of thermal insulation of concrete floor

Two versions of insulation of the concrete base are used. As a rule, the screed is insulated. Usually, the material is placed in the upper part after filling the cement cushion. But there may be an option, in which the bottom insulation of the floor screed is made using the same expanded polystyrene. In this case, the slabs are arranged for preparation from gravel or lag. After that, the concrete solution is poured. From the point of view of the thermal insulation of the whole house, it is the second option that is more effective, but to ensure a comfortable microclimate in one room it is necessary to confine oneself to the upper insulation, which, rather, is designed to protect from the cold of the decorative floor covering.

Thermal insulation of the floor on the ground

The use of thermal insulation on the ground assumes high requirements for the selection of suitable material. It should be a mechanically resistant insulator, which is also able to protect the object from moisture and development of microbiological negative phenomena, including mold and fungi. Expecting how to perform the insulation of the floor in a private house with your own hands on the ground, it is worth to abandon the natural materials. The optimal solution will be expanded polystyrene plates, protected by waterproofing. To prevent physical damage, you should initially focus on thick panels, resistant and to natural deformations.

Conclusion

Thermal insulation of the floor is the most important measure in the performance of construction and finishing works. Modern materials used for insulation of floor coverings, allow to provide comfortable conditions and to lower expenses for heating. Another thing is that in practice, the return from insulators may be different, and not always the result justifies expectations. Much depends on the quality of the installation of the material, on the characteristics of the insulation itself, as well as on insulation in other parts of the house. For example, without proper protection from the cold of the roof and walls, the floor insulation efficiency will be minimal. Only in a complex it is possible to create a favorable thermal regime with the help of warming elements.