Availability and excellent thermal properties make profiled timber a favorite material among builders. Many believe that due to its thermal insulation, lumber requires no additional insulation. This opinion is often mistaken. Below, we'll discuss when home insulation is required and how it should be implemented.
Insulation of profiled timber
Insulating lumber isn't always necessary. A warm climate or temporary occupancy allows the structure to retain heat without additional costs. The fastening system for profiled timber is seamless, which is a plus, as it maintains a comfortable temperature inside the building.
This also allows you to save on finishing, since pre-treated lumber does not require additional sanding.
If the house is being built in a cold climate, or if long-term residence is planned, insulation is essential.
Stages of insulating a house made of profiled timber
Every element of a home requires insulation. Therefore, it's crucial to approach each one responsibly. Otherwise, the project will be in vain.
Foundation
There are two ways to insulate a foundation:
- internal;
- external.
Internal insulation is highly undesirable and is recommended only if external insulation is not possible for some reason.
External insulation has a number of advantages:
- the materials for it are cheaper than for internal insulation;
- allows to avoid freezing and, as a consequence, sudden temperature changes that lead to the destruction of the structure;
- allows you to save the internal area of the basement.
The most preferred material for foundation insulation is polyurethane foam.
It is more expensive than polystyrene foam and has the following advantages:
- its installation does not take much time;
- no seams or gaps;
- there are no cold bridges.
Special equipment is used to install this type of material. The insulation layer must be at least 5 centimeters thick.
A less commonly used insulation material is extruded polystyrene foam. It has only a couple of advantages:
- low price;
- absolute immunity to moisture.
Floor
A plank floor will sooner or later develop gaps and cracks. This means the room's thermal insulation will be significantly reduced. To prevent this, the floor should be insulated. It's best to do this during the construction phase of the house to avoid problems with replacing the planks later.
Thermal insulation of a floor covering involves not only installing insulation but also waterproofing and vapor barriers. It's best to discuss the required materials with a specialist, as the choice depends on many factors, such as the type of floorboards, the home's ventilation system, and more.
To insulate the floor, joists are installed in the foundation. Then, boards are nailed to the beams, and waterproofing, vapor barriers, insulation, and both layers of insulation are installed.
This method is not the only one, but it is more common in its implementation.
Walls
There are only three options for wall insulation:
- external;
- internal;
- inter-crown.
The last option is for those who value the aesthetics of the room.
As a rule, the following materials are used for thermal insulation of walls:
- Natural insulation materials: flax, sheep's wool, flax batting, etc. These materials are suitable for inter-crown installation;
- foam plastic or any cotton material is ideal for external insulation;
- For internal use - exclusively cotton insulation.
In addition to thermal insulation materials, a vapor barrier will also be required to prevent the insulation from absorbing moisture.
Also, don't forget about the ventilation system.
To avoid future misunderstandings related to thermal insulation, it's best to familiarize yourself with all the rules for installing materials right away. If you lack sufficient experience in this area or are unsure of your abilities, it's best to consult with a professional.