In any house, heat escapes through the building envelope in all directions, but today, we will talk specifically about heat loss through the floor. They can reach 15% of the total volume. Fortunately, good insulation quickly solves this problem. We’ll tell you what to do.
Tip 1. Choose insulating floor that is not afraid of moisture and does not deform
For insulating floor , you need a material whose heat-saving properties do not decrease during operation. In the case of floors, the insulation can become damp due to the proximity of wet soil – this often happens in the spring, when meltwater raises the groundwater level or flows into the basement or subfloor.
Therefore, it is essential to choose a material for insulating floor that does not absorb water and does not deform. If the floor structure is in contact with the ground, extruded polystyrene foam is suitable for insulation.
If the insulation will not touch the ground, you can use LOGICPIR Flooring thermal plates. They have the lowest thermal conductivity among all TECHNONICOL thermal insulation materials, which makes it possible to achieve effective insulation with a minimum layer thickness. This means that the height of the ceilings in the house will not decrease.
In addition, LOGICPIR Flooring slabs are characterized by almost complete vapour permeability: there is no need to install an additional vapour barrier – glue the joints with aluminium tape. This simplifies the work and reduces the cost of insulation.
Tip 2. Get rid of all “cold bridges”
One of the typical floor designs in a private house is flooring with joists. Insulation is placed in the gaps between the logs, while the wooden beams themselves become “cold bridges” since the thermal conductivity of wood is much higher.
To prevent “cold bridges” from appearing, the insulation layer must be continuous. This can be achieved by placing it between the subfloor and the finishing coating.Home insulation Sydney provides high-quality and affordable home insulation services. Use our services.
Here, you can use the already mentioned LOGICPIR Flooring thermal plates. They have high compressive strength: up to 15 tons per 1 m². Thanks to staggered laying and protrusions at the ends when joining the slabs, the appearance of cracks is eliminated.
Tip 3. Do not fix the insulation to the floor
Fasteners are made from materials with much higher thermal conductivity than insulation. Therefore, it creates “cold bridges”. However, when installing floors, the insulation is held in place by its weight, pressed against the overlying layers of the bed and furniture – there is no need to fix it further.
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Tip 4. Add a heated floor system for insulating floor
“Warm” and “cold” are subjective human sensations; they also need to be taken into account. Warm air rises to the ceiling, and cold air sinks to the floor – because of this temperature distribution, many people feel discomfort. Heated floors eliminate this problem.
They can even work as central heating. To do this, a pipeline system is installed on the floors, which is connected to the heating boiler.
To slightly improve the microclimate, install electric heating elements under the final floor covering. Their power is low, and due to installation only in open areas, they consume little electricity. In most cases, this solution complements or even replaces floor insulation.Home insulation Sydney provides high-quality and affordable home insulation services. Use our services.
To properly insulate the floor in a private house, you should follow these steps:
Choose the right thermal insulation material.
The best insulation materials for floors are those with low thermal conductivity and high moisture resistance. Some good options include PIR boards, XPS boards, and mineral wool.
Prepare the floor surface for insulating floor.
The floor surface should be clean, dry, and level. If there are any cracks or gaps, they should be filled with a suitable sealant.
Lay the thermal insulation material.
The insulation material should be laid in a continuous layer, without any gaps or breaks. It is important to note that fasteners can create cold bridges, so it is best to avoid using them.
Cover the insulation material.
Once the insulation material is in place, it should be covered with a vapor barrier. This will help to prevent moisture from entering the insulation and reducing its effectiveness.
Install the flooring.
The flooring can then be installed over the vapor barrier.
If you are installing floor heating, such as a water or electric system, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Floor heating systems can create a comfortable microclimate in your home and, in some cases, can even replace the need for floor insulation.
Here are some additional tips for insulating the floor in a private house:
- If you have a suspended timber floor, you can install insulation between the joists. This is the most common and effective way to insulate a suspended floor.
- If you have a solid concrete floor, you can install insulation above the concrete slab. However, this is more difficult and expensive than insulating a suspended floor.
- If you are installing underfloor heating, make sure to choose an insulation material that is compatible with the heating system.
- If you have a basement, it is important to insulate the basement floor. This will help to prevent heat loss from the ground floor of your home.
Insulating the floor in your private house can help you to save money on your energy bills and make your home more comfortable. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your floor is properly insulated.
