How to insulate a roof from heat and cold
When buying a new home, there are many aspects we consider. Do we want a detached house or an apartment? Do we prefer a ground floor or an upper floor? At the moment of decision, we must take into account certain characteristics of the house we will buy that can later affect our daily lives, especially considering the climate of the place where we live.
Many people choose detached houses, chalets, or penthouses because they offer more space and the "noisy neighbors" factor is usually significantly reduced. They also have more room and, in the case of an attic, a large balcony. These might seem like all the advantages, but when winter arrives, if the roof isn't properly insulated, our house can become a refrigerator. If you want to find a solution before this happens, we'll explain how to do it. How to insulate the roof from heat and cold .
How to insulate the roof from cold and heat from the outside
If we want to properly insulate a roof from the cold (or from the heat), we must proceed in the right order. Therefore, we must begin by studying and analyzing whether cold and dampness can penetrate, as external roof insulation alone is insufficient.
The feeling of high humidity, or even frightening leaks, leads to increased coldness inside the house, so, first and foremost, we will have to Make sure it's well waterproofed . We advise you to check all joints and potential gaps when applying the waterproofing layers to prevent any water from penetrating. Above all, be especially careful if your roof is tiled, as water can easily find even the smallest opening to enter your home.
We also recommend that if your roof is tiled, you get some of it Breathable membranes . These are thin layers that facilitate temperature regulation inside your home and also reduce the risk of suffering from condensation problems due to excessively high temperatures inside, as opposed to humidity outside.
How to insulate the house from the inside
Although it's true that you should first pay attention to external insulation, the interior is more important, as it's the most effective at insulating against the cold. Before choosing your method, two key aspects should be considered:
- Insulation will reduce the space : something you will notice especially in the case of the upper floor.
- How to insulate it : This depends on the temperature levels in the coldest months of your region.
If the weather where you live isn't too cold, insulation won't require much space. We recommend choosing, for example, rolls made of very thin layers of polyethylene and aluminum (sometimes called reflective rolls) that are no more than 15 mm thick. Furthermore, they are very easy to install; simply staple them to the wood and then cover them with drywall.
But if winter temperatures are colder, you will need to use stronger insulation. In this case, we recommend resorting to Layers of rock wool, glass wool, or expanded polystyrene . Remember that the thickness should be at least 90 mm. Their placement is the same as explained above.
Thermal insulation for roofs without work
There are a large number of people who don't want to install thermal insulation or panels and ultimately choose another solution: paint. This alternative might not convince you at first, but it works. In fact, many consider it the best insulation in the world. This type of insulating paint It is called anti-condensation.
It's a panel that can be used in any type of interior room. It's matte acrylic and works because it's made up of a collection of very small spheres that form a very thin but effective barrier that keeps heat inside the room, such as A type of thermal barrier .
In addition, it's also helpful to regulate the room's internal temperature and prevent condensation. Depending on the brand, you'll find different colors, from "invisible" to a wide range of shades to suit your rooms.