What is the best way to insulate a basement? Guide to internal thermal insulation of cellars from freezing. Floor insulation with expanded clay

In winter, cold air contributes to freezing and accumulation of moisture in all uninsulated rooms, including the cellar. Therefore, the problem of how to insulate a cellar is relevant for owners of private houses.

A cellar is a storage area for workpieces. This is a free-standing object or buried in the ground. It can be located on the site or in the basement of a house, garage or barn. Usually, its construction is planned in advance or a house is purchased with a ready-made storage facility.

The walls of the storage area can be soil, cement or brick. Floors made of compacted soil or concrete. The ceiling can be wooden or concrete.

The temperature in such a room is constant, but in the cold season it can freeze. This will lead to crop loss.

Types of cellars for a private home

There are three main types of cellars in a house or on a summer cottage:

1. Ground. The cellar is located on the plot. It is a separate building or an extension to a garage or utility room. The base is buried 0.5 m.
2. Recessed. It is located in the ground at a depth of no more than 1.5 m. Usually this is a structure in the form of a caisson or a pit with a hatch.
3. Underground. Located at a depth of no more than 3 meters. Maintains above-zero temperatures all year round.

Each type of object requires that the cellar be insulated according to separate rules.

Indications for insulation

Deep cellars freeze due to melt or groundwater. Outdoor buildings due to exposure to low temperatures.

Indications for insulation are:

• lack of insulation in the finished cellar;
• new building;
• damage to thermal insulation;
• freezing of walls, floors, ceilings - accumulation of condensation and frost;
• the appearance of mold.

Also, an indication for insulation is product damage, even if there are no other visible signs.

Thermal insulation of a cellar has many advantages, the main ones:

• frost protection;
• protection against condensation and mold;
• maintaining a stable temperature, optimal for storing supplies;
• protection from groundwater exposure.

Carrying out insulation work works as insulation and protection from water.

Materials for thermal insulation of cellars and their characteristics

A variety of insulation materials can be used as heat-insulating materials:

1. Expanded polystyrene can be in the form of regular polystyrene foam or penoplex. The material is durable, well insulates any surface, safe - does not emit harmful substances. The disadvantages of polystyrene foam are that it is flammable and does not allow air to pass through. Penoplex retains moisture well and is easy to install. The thickness of the foam varies from 20 to 150 mm, it does not wrinkle.
2. Penofol. Qualitative thin insulation with foil layer. The environmentally friendly material is resistant to temperature fluctuations, does not allow moisture to pass through and is easy to install. Thanks to its reflective properties, it retains heat perfectly. Its thickness is from 2 to 10 mm.
3. Liquid PPU insulation. A two-component mixture of isocyanate and polyol. Pros: adheres well to any surface, applied in a layer of any thickness, moisture resistant. Disadvantages - Requires a pressurized installation.
4. Mineral wool. Available in the form of roll material, slabs of different thicknesses. The density of mineral felt is 100-150 kg/m3, slabs - from 100 to 400 kg/m3. Depending on the manufacturer there are different variants thermal conductivity. From Isover - from 0.032 to 0.044 W/mK, URSA - from 0.032-0.044 W/mK, Knauf - from 0.032 to 0.047 W/mK, Rockwool - from 0.035 to 0.045 W/mK.

Mineral wool adheres well to any surface, repeating design features, wear-resistant and non-flammable.

1. Basalt wool. It has high resistance to heat and moisture retention, and is fireproof. Shelf-life Unlimited. It is stronger than mineral insulation.

Sand and expanded clay are traditionally used to insulate floors.

Features of insulation

Absolutely all structural elements in the cellar are insulated. Penetration of cold through even one element threatens freezing.

Ventilation

Before carrying out work, you need to assess the condition of the old insulation. If partially missing, it should be removed and cleaned ventilation duct from dirt.

Thermal insulation is produced with mineral wool, wrapping it around the structure. It is advisable to lay foil material on top. Can be secured with steel clamps.

Ceiling insulation

The ceiling in the cellar is most often made of concrete; in some buildings it can be wooden. Insulation of the cellar ceiling has a special procedure:

1. Clean the surface from cobwebs, drips, dirt and loose particles.
2. Cracks are sealed with cement mortar.
3. The vapor barrier membrane is fixed to metal profiles or frost-resistant and moisture-resistant glue. This is a polymer material with perforation. Protects the surface from moisture.
4. It is preferable to fasten the vapor barrier with galvanized profiles, as they will serve as lathing for the next step.
5. The profiles are adjusted to the ceiling with dowels in increments equal to the width of the selected heat insulator.
6. Attach sheets of polystyrene foam, penofol, and mineral mats to glue or screws.
7. Seal the cracks with foam.
8. After drying, cut off any protruding parts.
9. Secure the finishing. It can be chipboard, plywood, plastic panels. Wood materials must be oiled 3 times, allowing each layer to dry. The top can be painted.

If the ceiling is wooden, then it is cleaned of mold and treated with an antiseptic. After this, the process is similar to the previous one. A vapor barrier, sheathing, and insulation layer are also secured.

We insulate the floor

Warming the cellar floor begins with preparing the base. It should be smooth, clean and dry.

The general procedure for working in the presence of a soil base:

1. The soil base is further deepened by 20-30 cm and leveled.
2. A drainage layer of crushed stone or expanded clay is poured.
3. Lay 10 cm of sand on top and compact it thoroughly.
4. Make a layer of bitumen mastic for waterproofing.
5. Fill with expanded clay.
6. Lay the reinforcing mesh.
7. The concrete layer is poured.
8. Leave to fully set depending on the brand.
9. Finishing does not need to be done.

If the floors are concrete, then the work order begins with pouring expanded clay. The result will be a double layer of concrete with insulation between them.

Wall insulation

Insulation of cellar walls is carried out as follows:

1. The walls are cleaned of dirt. If they are wooden, then they will also protect against mold, followed by antiseptic impregnation.
2. The cracks are sealed with foam (for wood) or cement mortar (for concrete cellars).
3. Galvanized profiles are fixed along the entire perimeter in increments equal to the width of mineral mats and foam plastic.
4. Thermal insulation is laid between the metal slats.
5. Lay a layer of penofol on top of it and shoot the entire structure with dowels to the wall.
6. Install the finishing material from particle boards or plastic.

Wooden surfaces are dried and painted several times.

Principles and procedures for cellar insulation

Cellar insulation is divided into external and internal.

External insulation

An external insulation option is necessary for detached rooms. It has many advantages: it protects against moisture penetration and freezing, and does not affect changes in the cellar area. Procedure:

• Perform waterproofing using bitumen mastic or upholstery with roofing felt.
• Apply a special composition for gluing walls with slab material. Usually this is cold mastic. It is applied to the layer stone wool, expanded polystyrene. Pressed tightly against the wall.
• The voids are sealed with polyurethane foam, the remains of which are then cut off.
• Lay a layer of penofol, securing it to the mastic.
• The top is covered with a galvanized profile or clapboard.

Insulation slabs must be laid from below, retreating from the ground.

External insulation should be carried out during construction. If the cellar is already ready, then the work is more difficult to complete, since you will have to remove the old lining. In this case, it is advisable to entrust the work to specialists.

Internal insulation

How to insulate a cellar from the inside against freezing largely depends on its type. In general, the work procedure includes thermal insulation of the ceiling, walls, floor, ventilation and entrance group. All work includes the preliminary stage of cleaning the base, laying the frame for the ceiling and horizontal surfaces. Next comes laying out the insulation and finishing.

Insulation technology depending on the type of cellar

Insulation of the cellar from the inside is carried out for all types of cellars, and external insulation is carried out for detached buildings.

Insulation of this type of cellar is carried out mainly from the outside. It is important to insulate the roof and walls. To insulate walls, follow the following stages of work:

1. The soil is sampled to a depth of 200 to 300 mm and the roof is cleaned. For finished buildings, this stage is complicated by the fact that the walls are already finished with brick or other material. It is not advisable to touch it. You will have to carefully make a recess to the possible depth.
2. At the site of excavation, a drainage cushion is made from a layer of crushed stone and sand.
3. Waterproofing is made from bitumen mastic (this stage is carried out only on new walls).
4. Thermal insulation is laid on the wall, slightly retreating from the sand and crushed stone cushion. Coat the slabs with cold mastic and glue them to the wall.
5. Penofol or film is attached to the top with screws or dowels.
6. Cover the wall with a profile or other finishing material.

The roof of a ground-based structure is insulated using rolled materials. Penofol is laid on the roofing material and roofing material is placed on top again. The final layer can be corrugated board or slate.

Insulation of a recessed room

In this type of cellar, the walls are half in the ground. To produce thermal insulation, you need to excavate the soil as much as possible to protect the wall from freezing. In the recess, drainage is made from a cement-sand cushion. Roofing felt is laid on top. The walls can be waterproofed with mastic, onto which slab insulation is glued. It is covered with roofing felt, shooting it with dowels.

When insulating a cellar roof, work is carried out as follows:

• The roof is covered with a clay-straw mixture to a height of 0.5 m. The components are first thoroughly mixed until homogeneous.
• Tamping is carried out. To ensure its quality there is a special manual roller.
• Cover with thick polyethylene, wrapping it on the wall with an overlap of up to 20 cm.
• Cover the roof with roofing felt or coat it with a mixture of bitumen and diesel fuel in a ratio of 1 to 3.
• Cover this layer with fertile soil 15 cm high. Then the roots of the plants will act as an additional reinforcement for the roof.

As a result, the structure will be a semi-buried hill, which is reliably protected from the sun and frost. The temperature in such a cellar optimally meets all the requirements for storing vegetables and preparations.

We insulate the underground cellar

Insulation of a cellar in a garage, basement or outdoors is carried out outside and inside. Performed both externally and internally. The hatch is insulated from the outside; the description is given below. From the inside, circular insulation of the floor and walls is carried out as described above.

Nuances of thermal insulation of cellar doors and hatches

If the entrance to the cellar is located indoors, it is possible not to insulate it or to lay a thin insulator. You can stick penofol under the finishing coat.

The entrance from the street or the hatch must be insulated. The work is carried out as follows:

• Sheets of stone wool or expanded polystyrene, cut to size, are glued to the door. The top is finished with any material. The gaps between the frame and the wall are sealed with polyurethane foam.
• The hatch cover is covered with insulation on the outside and inside. A sheet of iron is fixed on top. If the lid is made for a new cellar, then a special frame is made to insert thermal insulation.

It is necessary to check the quality of the connection between the hatch and the door; there should be no gaps.

Insulation of a caisson for a cellar

The caisson can be made of polymer, reinforced concrete or metal. The shape of concrete and steel is most often cube-shaped, and plastic is cylinder-shaped.

This design is modern version underground cellar and its insulation is carried out in the same way. Before installing the caisson, the walls are insulated by pasting them with a heat insulator. Spraying polyurethane foam works best. It is easier to insulate a cylindrical caisson with liquid polymer.

Steel structures need to be insulated in several layers. They freeze more than others. When insulating, you can combine a layer of polyurethane foam with the laying of mineral wool or slab mats.

After the heat conservation work is completed, the structure is placed in the ground. The distance between the walls of the pit and the cellar is covered with crushed stone. The crushed stone is laid on top with roofing felt or filled with bitumen. The final step is to pour the soil.

The modern market offers caissons with insulation, but they are quite expensive. Therefore, it is easier to do the work yourself.

It is better to insulate any variant of the cellar during the construction of the house. But most often, ready-made properties are purchased, equipped with all outbuildings. The instructions given above are suitable for all possible types of cellars.

Garage counts good place for parking a car. Equipping such a room with a cellar can be an excellent idea for those who want to store crops and various preparations in it. Meanwhile, such underground storage facilities are characterized by cold and high humidity, which contribute to the deterioration of many products and the underbody of the car. Such phenomena can be avoided if you know how to insulate a cellar in a garage using modern thermal insulation materials and new technologies. If a garage with a cellar is just being built, then care should be taken in advance to insulate its underground part.

Features of insulation

The process of insulating a garage basement is practically no different from similar work in other rooms. However, there are a number of nuances that can significantly affect the final result. The fact is that high humidity occurs in all underground rooms. This fact is due to the fact that the walls of basements or cellars have direct contact with the ground. In practice, the soil contains a large amount of moisture, which easily penetrates inside through the basement walls.

Therefore, the main task when arranging a cellar will be to ensure sufficient waterproofing of its walls and floor. Most effective option Such protection of the walls of an underground room is considered to be the application of waterproofing to the outer part of the cellar walls. This is a rather labor-intensive process that requires digging a deep trench around the perimeter of the basement, which is impossible when several garages are located in one module. In this case, you can lay waterproofing on the internal walls of the cellar.

To create a waterproofing layer for basement walls, you can use polymer films, roofing felt, as well as special bitumen mastics. The main thing is to ensure the integrity of such an insulating layer. To insulate walls, you can use mineral wool, foamed polystyrene, and others. modern materials with high thermal insulation characteristics. Some materials support combustion, so in such a room it is necessary to ensure all measures fire safety and make the right choice.

Ventilation

In underground storage areas such as basements, ventilation plays an important role. To install an effective ventilation system, it is necessary to provide an air connection to the outside space. The best option for this would be to install a pipe of a suitable diameter. One end of it needs to be lowered into the cellar, and the other taken out into the street. If necessary, the pipe can be equipped with an exhaust fan. The ventilation system will be ineffective if the inflow is not provided fresh air from the street to the basement.

Ceiling insulation

The ceiling of the cellar in the garage is in direct contact with its cold floor. Therefore, the ceiling in the garage cellar also needs to be insulated. To do this, you can use traditional thermal insulation materials such as mineral wool and expanded polystyrene. First you need to build a sheathing from timber or metal profile. If wood is used, it should be carefully treated with protective compounds. After constructing the suspended frame, you need to lay insulation, cover it with a layer of vapor barrier film and cover it with plastic.

Note! When insulating the ceiling with polystyrene foam, it is enough to glue it to a flat ceiling and additionally secure it with parachutes. The surface is covered with a reinforcing mesh with a special solution. In this case, there is no need to make a frame.

Wall insulation

As already reported, it is necessary to provide a waterproofing layer on the walls of the cellar. To do this, you can use roofing felt, polymer film, or special bitumen-based compounds. Having ensured reliable waterproofing, you should begin insulating the walls. First you need to build a sheathing from a metal profile or wooden beam processed protective composition. The frame is a system of vertical posts and horizontal lintels, fixed to the wall using dowels.

After constructing the sheathing, you need to lay the insulation, cutting it to the size of the frame cells. When installing insulation, it is necessary to exclude voids and open areas wall surfaces in order to provide them with effective thermal insulation. A layer of vapor barrier film should be provided on top of the laid insulation. This is necessary in order to prevent moisture formed in the basement from penetrating into the insulation.

Insulating walls with foam plastic is done in the same way as for the ceiling.

Floor insulation

Depending on what kind of floor is available in the basement of the garage, you should select best option its insulation. If the floor is concrete base, then to insulate it, an additional layer of sawdust mixed with sand is required. After this, you can build a wooden platform from boards treated with a protective compound. The disadvantage of such insulation is that sawdust absorbs moisture and this thermal insulation layer will have to be changed frequently.

Note! When insulating the floor with foam plastic, you will need to cover it by making a sand-cement screed.

Insulating a cellar in a garage is a responsible undertaking, despite the apparent simplicity of such work. This is due to the increased humidity of underground rooms and the likelihood of cold air masses penetrating into them. The insulation process requires ensuring the necessary insulation and compliance with all existing rules.

How to insulate a cellar in a garage - ways to insulate cellars in garages photo

Find out how to insulate a cellar in a garage. The article discusses methods of insulating a cellar. It describes in detail how to insulate the ceiling, walls and floor of the cellar.

How to insulate a cellar and where to start

Carrying out insulation work in the cellar with your own hands

As a rule, the cellar is used for storing food, since this room is most suitable for such use. Thermal insulation of the cellar not only solves problems with storing food, but is also responsible for the warmth in the house.

So, an uninsulated cellar will cause cold and high humidity.

How to properly insulate a cellar: getting started

It is possible to carry out insulation work yourself; it is not necessary to involve specialists.

• It is worth carrying out work on thermal insulation of the cellar during the construction stage.
• Insulating a cellar with your own hands begins with waterproofing the foundation and carrying out work that will result in good air circulation in the room.

Advice. If it is found that there is condensation on the walls of the room, this indicates that the foundation of the building is poorly waterproofed. In this case, insulation should not be carried out until work has been completed to protect the load-bearing base.

• Another way to waterproof a foundation is to lay drainage ditch, which is located at a depth of about 30 cm below the level of the cellar of the house.
• All of the above measures, in fact, are only an addition to protection. Of course, they are very important, but they are not the main ones.

Note. The main and most important method of waterproofing is treating the walls both outside and inside the foundation of the building with special compounds.

Waterproofing walls

Treatment of walls with liquid rubber – reliable protection from dampness

The simplest and in an inexpensive way treatment from the inside is coating the walls with liquid rubber. The price for such a polymer-bitumen solution is quite reasonable.

• The solution can be easily applied with a brush or roller to a previously prepared surface.
• Then the composition is placed in any in a convenient way. Despite the fact that such a mixture has excellent adhesion to the surface, it is necessary to additionally press it against the walls to avoid peeling under the influence of moisture.

Note. But such treatment of the surface of the walls of a cellar or basement is sometimes insufficient; there are many reasons for this.

• If waterproofing was not carried out during construction or was performed poorly, it is necessary to remove all adjacent soil to the foundation walls and wait until the walls are completely dry.
• After this, you need to apply a mixture of diesel fuel and bitumen in proportions 3:1 to the surface of the walls, and then cover everything with hot bitumen.
• You need to remember about ventilation, no matter what material is chosen for insulating the cellar, it will quickly become unusable if there is no air circulation in the room.
• The simplest and most effective way of ventilation is to install a system of supply and exhaust ducts made from ordinary pipes PVC diameter from 1 to 5 cm.

The air will circulate independently due to the temperature difference, and the end of the supply channel should be significantly lower than the end of the outlet channel.

How to insulate a cellar: choice of material

Thermal insulation of the cellar: A complex approach– insulation of the ceiling in the cellar, walls and floor

To insulate a cellar, you will need several materials, since different raw materials for thermal insulation are used for the walls, ceiling and floor. For example, it is easier to insulate the ceiling of a cellar with polystyrene foam.

How to insulate a cellar:

• If everything is in order with waterproofing and ventilation, then you can proceed directly to insulating the cellar.
• Despite the fact that internal insulation will significantly change the microclimate of the cellar, do not forget that the wall in any case interacts with the external environment.
• This means that in frost or extreme heat it will heat up or freeze to a large extent.
• This can be avoided if measures are taken to externally insulate the cellar. The most practical and inexpensive way is to cover it with a mixture of cement and sawdust.
• The composition is prepared at the rate of: 1 part cement and 8 parts sawdust, with this solution the wall is covered with a layer of 25–35 cm, after drying a cement screed is applied.

Note. This method, in addition to its direct functional features, will help to “shift” the formation of the dew point into the insulation layer, which will prevent the appearance of moisture in the insulated room.

Walls outside

Instructions for carrying out work external thermal insulation

Insulating cellar walls from the inside is ineffective, since the material will significantly reduce the area of ​​the room and moisture and cold will still remain. The strongest thermal insulation is measures aimed at insulating walls from the outside.

If this was not done during construction, then the soil should be removed and thermal insulation done from scratch.

The procedure for insulating walls with foam plastic from the outside:

• All wall defects must be eliminated.
• Carry out high-quality waterproofing of cellar walls.
• Install foam plastic boards (experts recommend using material with a density of 25).
• The insulation, in order to avoid the formation of condensation, is covered with a vapor barrier film.
• A cement screed is made on top; cement grade M-100 is used to prepare it; reinforcement is used for strength.

Insulation of the ceiling in the cellar

Working with the ceiling

“How to insulate a cellar ceiling?” - perhaps the most pressing question, since half of the total heat exchange between the room and environment occurs through the floor and ceiling. Therefore, insulating the cellar ceiling is a very important stage of thermal insulation.

Polystyrene foam, as insulation for a cellar, is best suited for:

• Excellent thermal insulation characteristics.
• Low weight does not create a load on structural elements.
• Availability and cost-effectiveness.
• Low exposure to moisture.
• Does not rot and does not contribute to the formation of mold.

We work with foam plastic:

• The only alternative to polystyrene foam is polystyrene foam. Other materials can be used as insulation, but they are much more expensive and less practical.
• Before you begin insulation, it is necessary to eliminate all wall defects: chips, cracks. You need to check the condition of the joints.
• Polystyrene foam is very easy to use; it is enough to glue it to the surface with frost-resistant glue or attach it using special dowels.
• Polystyrene foam fastening can also be done without the help of special lathing. The advantage is that the material is non-hygroscopic, and therefore does not require installation of a vapor barrier film.

Advice. If glass wool or similar insulation is used, it is necessary to install a sheathing.

The disadvantages of polystyrene foam include a high fire hazard, so wiring and other sources of ignition must be isolated from the material as much as possible. In addition, polystyrene foam is not environmentally friendly, which is why it is not used in residential areas.

Thermal insulation “pie” for the floor

There are several ways to insulate a floor. The most common option is expanded clay insulation. This requires a vapor barrier, the role of which is performed by a vapor barrier film. After this, beacons are installed according to the rules.

Note. Then expanded clay is poured, the fraction of which is from 5 to 20 mm, the layer thickness should be at least 10 cm, and then it is filled with reinforced concrete screed and leveled.

Floor insulation can be done using crushed stone and sand.

• Removed upper layer floor about 30 cm thick.
• A 10 cm layer of crushed stone is poured onto the bottom of the resulting depression.
• Construction of a sand cushion 5 cm thick.
• Tamping.
• Filling with bitumen for waterproofing.

Application of reinforced concrete screed followed by leveling.

Doors and hatches

The door or hatch to the cellar must also be insulated; thermal insulation can be carried out as in the case of walls. An important point is to eliminate cracks: the fact is that this can lead to disruption of air circulation.

How to insulate a cellar?

The underground room is intended for storing fresh and processed vegetables and fruits throughout the year. If the insulation of the cellar from the inside, or the thermal insulation of the cellar from the outside, was carried out poorly, then moisture accumulation and unacceptable temperature conditions are possible.

These factors can lead to crop damage, mold and rot on surfaces. You need to think about how to insulate the cellar from the inside from freezing.

Due to poor-quality waterproofing, moisture can penetrate into the structure in the form of precipitation or melt and flood water.

The solution to insulation problems can be additional and well-made thermal insulation. In order to decide how to properly insulate a cellar or how to insulate a cellar ceiling, you need to learn about all existing methods of protection against heat loss, choose required insulation and carry out all work in the required sequence.

Thermal insulation of walls

The walls must be additionally covered with a thermal insulation layer to protect against heat loss. This is also important in order to prevent short circuits, fires or breakdowns of electrical equipment.

Insulation work provides the following advantages:

• Dry wall surfaces;
• Insulation of cables and wires, especially if lighting is installed;
• Waterproofing joints between walls and foundation;
• Impregnation of walls with solutions that serve as a barrier to microorganisms, mold and mildew;
• Insulation of internal surfaces of the room.

Thermal insulation with polystyrene foam is an inexpensive but very reliable method of insulating underground rooms. The material itself has high thermal insulation characteristics, is easy to install and can be coated with any impregnation.

If high humidity is detected in the room, then foam plastic is needed with a density of 25 kg per cubic meter or more, since it can serve as a reliable barrier against moisture.

You can use extruded polystyrene foam, which is more expensive, but has absolute water impermeability and a long service life.

Experts note an unpleasant drawback of such material - its combustion. Because of this, when running wires through the insulation, it is necessary to make separate cable channels.

It is important to seal all joints, seams and cracks with mortar. polyurethane foam or sealant. If there is a possibility of groundwater penetration, treatment should be carried out with a penetrating mixture, noted by experts as one of the most effective in combating moisture.

Sequence of work

When a cellar is being built, how to insulate the wall surfaces is decided before the work begins. Using polystyrene foam, thermal insulation will be quite simple and should be performed in the following order:

• Manufactured and fixed wooden frame all surfaces of the walls of the room;
• The foam is placed as tightly as possible into the internal surfaces of the frame;
• The insulation is secured with dowels, 5 pieces per sheet of material;
• The cracks and joints are sealed with polyurethane foam and sealant;
• The mounting mesh is glued and the surface is plastered.

At foam insulation it is extremely important to make protection front door, insulating it more thoroughly than the walls. This will provide a high-quality barrier against cold air from the street and better food preservation.

Mineral wool and its analogues

Fiberglass, unlike polystyrene foam, is resistant to combustion and has low thermal conductivity. When using such a material, it is important to make high-quality waterproofing, since it is very vulnerable to water and high humidity.

If you allow water to get inside the room, the mineral wool will quickly absorb water and lose its heat-protective characteristics.

Destruction of the thermal insulation layer can occur within 1 season of operation of the cellar, the insulation of which will have to be re-insulated.

In this case, plaster is placed on top of the insulation, and additional finishing bars can be used on the walls.

Polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam thermal insulation is one of the most reliable and in a durable way insulation of wall surfaces. Moisture resistance and the absence of seams ensures high-quality thermal insulation, which will maintain the permissible level of humidity and room temperature.

The cost of the material is significantly higher than its analogues, but it is environmentally friendly, so it will be the optimal way to insulate when storing fresh fruits and vegetables.

For insulation polystyrene foam boards you can choose a similar penoplex that has the quality characteristics of foam and plastic. The mass is homogeneous, has increased thermal insulation characteristics and greater resistance to moisture. Penoplex insulation is carried out at the very initial stage of construction.

The material consists of many small closed cells that give it rigidity and strength. Such a layer can withstand the load from the soil and the weight of the structure if it is laid on the floor. Penoplex is produced in sheets from 3 to 10 cm thick.

Ceilings using penoplex are laid in blocks of not very high density, and more rigid structures are chosen for the floor and walls.

Storage cover made from concrete slabs, more often than other surfaces are subject to freezing. Before insulating the cellar in the garage, it is important to remember that even if it does not cool down due to frost outside, the cool air of the underground room and the warm air of the garage above can lead to the formation of condensation and high humidity.

You can guarantee dry and warm air inside the storage facility by using moisture-resistant substances. They impregnate the entire surface of the ceiling, even if it is for insulating a cellar in a garage.

Foam plastic is glued onto dry concrete with additional fixation with dowels. As an alternative to such fastening, you can use slats into which the insulation is laid.

At the end of the work, all seams are treated with polyurethane foam, and the mounting mesh is laid. The insulation of the cellar ceiling ends with a finishing layer of plaster.

Basement floors play one of the most important roles in the preservation of crops - they provide an optimal microclimate for the cellar. When the cellar floor is insulated, its reliability and durability depend on the quality of the hydro and thermal insulation made, which can be arranged in several ways.

Expanded clay insulation involves a leveled base, which is covered with sheets of roofing material. Roofing felt or roofing felt are even used for external thermal insulation, they are so durable and invulnerable to temperature changes. Expanded clay is poured on top of such waterproofing with a layer of 25 cm. The entire structure is filled with a concrete screed reinforced with reinforced rods.

Sand and crushed stone

Insulation with a sand-crushed stone mixture also requires a prepared surface, on which 20 cm of crushed stone and 5 cm of sand are poured. The pillow is covered with roofing felt or film, which will provide high-quality hydro- and vapor barrier, a reinforced belt is made and a concrete mixture is poured.

Insulating a cellar with polystyrene foam on the floor requires a sand or gravel cushion, which is covered waterproofing materials. Foam plastic is placed on top of the roofing felt for an insulated layer and the screed is poured.

Experts recommend mandatory ventilation, which will ensure high-quality air exchange and reduce the formation of condensation on surfaces. If you properly insulate the cellar outside, you can achieve a dry and safe room in which the harvest will be stored until next year in the right condition.

Cellar: how to properly insulate and choose insulation material

How to insulate cellar walls? Features of floor and ceiling insulation. How to properly insulate a basement?

How to insulate a cellar from freezing: proper thermal insulation from the inside and outside

In the country, personal plot or in the courtyard of an honest house they set up a separate structure for storing vegetables, canning, winter preparations, twists and other things. Proper cellar design involves insulation to create an optimal microclimate in the storage. The cellar and basement differ in a number of parameters, which means the approach to insulating them for the winter will differ in several ways.

What is the difference between a cellar and a basement?

Basement is a room located under residential building. The key characteristic is the presence of indirect heating. In this case, during the heating period the basement is much warmer than the cellar. In addition, it contains communications. In this connection, the requirements for basement insulation are stricter. Among other things, the basement ceiling is a serious source of heat loss from the heated rooms on the first floor.

Cellar - an object located separately or located under summer kitchen, garage, outbuildings. The temperature in it is more stable throughout the year, which means canned goods, vegetables or wine are stored much better.

This is what leads to the fact that, if there is free space on the site, the owners tend to build a cellar on the street. And already during operation, the question invariably arises whether it is necessary to insulate the cellar. After all, from excess heat, vegetables will begin to wither and rot, and from too little heat, they will freeze.

Of course, it is better to carry out thermal insulation work during the construction of the cellar. But what about those who already have a cellar in their country house? How to insulate a cellar from freezing without serious expenses?

The choice of insulation method involves carrying out work in one of the following areas:

• insulation of the cellar from the outside;
• insulation of the cellar from the inside;
• combined insulation. The most effective way, because is complex.

Types of cellars for a private home

When deciding how to insulate a cellar from the inside or outside, the type of cellar is first taken into account:

Separately standing room with a depth of up to 0.5 m into the soil. It can be free-standing or wall-mounted (one of the walls of the cellar is the wall of an outbuilding or garage). From the point of view of insulation, this is the simplest option, because It is possible to insulate the walls and roof from the outside and inside.

Deep cellar (semi-underground)

The lowest point of the building is located at a depth of no more than 1.5 m from the ground surface. In this case, in addition to insulation, you should also think about neutralizing the effects of groundwater and frost heaving of the soil.

Underground (bulk) cellar

It is distinguished by the location of the floor at a level of 2-3 meters underground. With proper waterproofing, this is the most advantageous cellar from the point of view of operation, which perfectly maintains above-zero temperatures, approximately constant, throughout the year.

Despite the differences in construction, the design of the cellar is not diverse.

Standard cellar design:

• walls - if the soil is dense - soil, if the soil is moving - brick or stone;
• there is no floor, or rather it is dirt;
• ceiling - reinforced concrete or wood.

Accordingly, the ceiling, walls, and floor are insulated. Those. all cellar surfaces through which heat loss is possible.

Materials for cellar insulation

Despite the significant diversity thermal insulation materials, it should be taken into account that not all of them are suitable. The material for insulating a cellar must have such properties as the ability to maintain geometry, withstand water and soil pressure, have high insulating properties (table), and absolute hygroscopicity.

Due to the above reasons, mineral wool or ecowool is of little use for thermal insulation.

If you arrange the materials in descending order, the following sequence will appear:

• insulation of the cellar with polystyrene foam. Most popular insulation. Indeed, in addition to its thermal insulation characteristics, polystyrene foam is distinguished by its low price and ease of installation. Polystyrene foam does not rot, is not hygroscopic, is biologically inert, is lightweight, and does not require the use of vapor barrier films or lathing. Mounted both outside and inside the room;

• insulating the cellar with sawdust or peat soil, which retain heat well and are unattractive to rodents;

• insulation of the cellar with polyurethane foam. PPU refers to sprayed insulation. Possessing all the properties of its predecessors, it is distinguished by its non-flammability and ability to fill the entire space (cracks, crevices). PPU creates a shell, which is the most reliable way to insulate cellars both outside and inside. At the same time, the cost of polyurethane foam is high, and application requires special equipment and the involvement of specialists;

• insulation of the cellar with polystyrene foam. Expanded polystyrene has all the characteristics of polystyrene foam. The only difference is the higher price, which is due to the higher density of the material, the integrity of the sheet structure (the ability not to crumble during installation), and the presence of a tongue-and-groove installation system;

• insulation of the cellar with expanded clay. Expanded clay, like any other bulk material, has a limited scope of application. As a rule, it is used for floor insulation. It can also be used for walls for external insulation of an underground (buried) cellar.

• insulation of the cellar with black soil. Used for external insulation. In this case, the earth is poured onto the roof of the cellar. However, when modern level technology development there is much more effective ways insulation while maintaining absolute environmental cleanliness of the site.

Insulation technology depending on the type of cellar

An approach to thermal insulation taking into account the structure of the structure.

Insulation of a ground cellar

With this design, the main emphasis is on insulating the walls and roof. This means that it is best to carry out external work and use polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam. Insulation work is carried out outdoors, according to the technology for installing these materials. The roof is insulated from the inside. For these works, soft or hard insulation can be used.

Insulation of a deep cellar

The walls of such a cellar are half located in the ground. Therefore, there is a risk of flooding. To level it, you need to release (dig up) the buried part outer wall from the ground, treat it with any waterproofing solution (mastic) or wrap it with roofing felt. Then lay down rigid insulation or polyurethane foam, re-wrap it with roofing felt (this will protect the sheet from deformation) and cover it with soil. To minimize the influence of water, it is better to equip a drainage system.

Insulation of bulk cellar (underground)

Performed both externally and internally. Below are detailed recommendations and tips for step-by-step thermal insulation of a structure for storing agricultural products in the country.

How to insulate a cellar with your own hands

Different insulation technologies in the form of step-by-step instructions.

External insulation of a bulk cellar

The most labor-intensive part of the work involves performing a number of actions:

• The soil surrounding the roof and walls of the cellar is removed.

Note. Sometimes it is not possible to excavate the soil. For example, when a cellar is dug into the ground and the resulting slopes are finished with brick. Such walls can collapse. In this case, users are advised to remove the soil at a distance of 100-150 mm. from the wall, and then gradually remove the rest.

Additional protection from moisture will be provided by installing a crushed stone-sand cushion at a depth of 200-300 mm. from the base of the wall.

Some craftsmen advise tightening the insulation with a polymer mesh to ensure the integrity of the sheet. Roofing material will cope with this task more successfully. But often the distance between the wall and the soil is simply filled with expanded clay, soil with a high clay content, or a mixture of soil, sawdust/straw and clay.

If there is no ventilation in the cellar, it is advisable to take care of it at this stage.

Internal insulation of the cellar

The walls, ceiling, floor and doors are subject to thermal insulation from the inside. A few photos as an example of the finished result.

Insulating the cellar wall from the inside

• the walls are inspected for defects;

• the cellar is emptied of contents, shelves and drawers are temporarily dismantled;

• detected defects are eliminated (protrusions are knocked down, cracks are foamed with foam or sealant); Increased attention is paid to the quality of the surface, because significant irregularities prevent high-quality installation of foam plastic;

  For this, umbrella dowels or glue are used. Attaching the foam starts from the bottom row and moves upward. In this case, in each subsequent row an offset of half a sheet is performed;

  Note. To eliminate pockets of mold, it is advisable to treat the walls with a solution of lime and copper sulfate.

  Insulation of the cellar floor

  There are several methods of insulation that have proven themselves in practice. Let's consider floor insulation with expanded clay as the best option in terms of price/quality ratio.

  Work order:

  • after the concrete on which the beacons are placed and fixed has hardened, expanded clay gravel with a fraction of 5-20 mm is poured. At the same time, the thickness of the gravel layer depends on the load that will fall on the floor;
  • A vapor barrier film is laid on its surface with access to the wall. The height of the overlap is equal to the height of the backfill;
  • the floor is deepened to the depth of the future heat-insulating layer (200-300 mm) and leveled;
  • Beacons are installed along the film. The first of them is at a distance of 300-400 mm from the wall. The rest are at a distance equal to the length of the rule that the screed will be equal to;
  • reinforced screed is poured. The thickness of the screed also depends on the load.

  Insulating the floor in the cellar with sand

  Thermal insulation method using sand and crushed stone. This method can only be used for loose floors.

  Sequence of work:

  • if insulation is not used, the floor is filled with hot bitumen. It will perform the function of waterproofing;
  • the sand-crushed stone cushion is carefully compacted;
  • a layer of crushed stone is poured (100 mm);
  • the floor is deepened to the depth of the future thermal insulation layer and leveled;
  • a layer of sand (50 mm) is poured on top;
  • Rigid thermal insulation material (for example, penoplex, expanded polystyrene boards) can be laid on the surface;
  • the prepared floor is filled with reinforced concrete screed.

  

  Insulation of the cellar ceiling

  In the case of a buried or above-ground cellar, the roof of the structure needs insulation. Roof insulation work involves the use of soft or hard insulation, which is installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

  As for the underground (buried, bulk) cellar, the ceiling of the room needs additional insulation.

  Work order:

  • plaster is applied.
  • a layer of rigid insulation is installed;
  • concrete floor slab or wooden beams treated with a penetrating waterproofing primer. The composition fills the capillaries and prevents water seepage. The wood is additionally treated with an antiseptic;
  • the thermal insulation material is covered with a mounting mesh;
  • Whitewashing is done with lime and copper sulfate.

  Note. The ceiling in the cellar is the most vulnerable place in terms of temperature conditions. Therefore, it is better to insulate it in two layers (100 mm).

  

  Insulation of the entrance area: doors or hatch to the cellar

  If the entrance to the cellar is located in a house or garage, there are no special requirements for its insulation.

  But if the entrance is located on the street, then it is necessary to insulate the entrance to the cellar.

  Work order:

  • Insulation of a cellar door was previously carried out using felt and other soft materials. However, now the use of rigid insulation materials that are glued to the doors is considered justified. Then the insulation is covered with a sheet of plywood, plastic or natural wood. Be sure to eliminate the gaps at the junction of the door and the frame. The door seal is installed at this location;
  • Insulation of the cellar hatch is carried out in a similar way. Only more attention is paid to reliable fixation of the insulation on the surface of the lid. Otherwise, it may fall off.

  An important point that you should pay attention to when insulating a door or hatch is to exclude the possibility of them opening arbitrarily. Otherwise, all work on thermal insulation of the cellar will be useless.

  Insulation of a caisson for a cellar

  Insulating a concrete or brick cellar is not difficult due to the optimality of their shape and resistance to mechanical damage(brick and concrete walls can be drilled, fixing an umbrella dowel or treated with hot mastic to ensure waterproofing).

  

  But with modern caissons for cellars the situation is somewhat different, because... Thermal insulation measures may damage the seal of the tank.

  However, insulating them is also important, because the walls easily transmit both heat and cold. Since the caisson is a solid structure, it does not require waterproofing. From the point of view of the material used, caissons for the cellar can be (types):

• plastic (made of polymer materials);
• reinforced concrete (made of concrete rings);
• metal (steel). It should be taken into account that materials have different heat loss rates.

  In this case, the caisson cellar can have the shape of a cube or cylinder, which affects the choice of heat insulator. To insulate a caisson for a cellar, you can use bulk, rigid and sprayed insulation. Let's consider ways to use them in descending order of popularity:

  • hard insulation. They are used in cases where the caisson has the shape of a cube, square, rectangle with smooth walls. The insulation is glued to the surface of the caisson. The caisson is placed in the ground, the distance between it and the soil is filled;
  • bulk insulation: soil, expanded clay, sand, peat soil. In this case, the caisson is placed in the ground, and the distance between its walls and the soil is filled up;
  • sprayed insulation – polyurethane foam. Provide the most effective thermal insulation. But the disadvantage of polyurethane foam insulation is its high price and the need to attract specialists with special equipment.

  The indicated types of thermal insulation materials are suitable for insulating a metal cellar, as well as insulating a plastic cellar. The construction market offers cellars made of plastic with insulation, which eliminates the need to carry out insulation work with your own hands; it is enough to carry out the installation correctly.

  An insulated cellar in a country house or in the courtyard of a private house is a guarantee that winter preparations will be safe and sound, despite the cold or heat “overboard”.

  How to insulate a cellar from the inside and outside with your own hands: how to insulate it from freezing: photo-video

  
  How to insulate a cellar with your own hands. Materials and technology of insulation from the inside, outside. Thermal insulation of above-ground, underground, buried cellars. Insulation of walls, floors, ceilings and caissons for the cellar

The size of the cellar depends on the size of the foundation and the height of the base. Often the ceiling height is at least two meters and it would be irrational to leave such space unattended. The main purpose of the cellar is to store food. At sub-zero temperatures, vegetables and preservatives will freeze, at too warm temperatures they can spoil, and at high humidity they will begin to rot. That’s why it’s so important that the room has optimal temperature and humidity. There are many ways to insulate a cellar from the inside; let’s look at the most popular and inexpensive ones.

Any room must be insulated during the construction stage. In this case, the walls are insulated from the outside, which prevents them from freezing. But, as practice shows, basements begin to be insulated only after construction is completed. This method will require high-quality waterproofing to protect the insulation from condensation.

Although the temperature at depth remains stable throughout the year, it is not suitable for storing food. The solution is to insulate the ceiling, walls and floor in the cellar. If the basement of a residential building is insulated, this will also lead to a reduction in energy costs for heating the building itself.

Waterproofing and ventilation of the cellar

Any insulation, even foam plastic, without proper ventilation and waterproofing of the basement will soon become unusable.

A mandatory attribute of any foundation is a blind area. It protects the cellar from the penetration of melted snow and rain. And for additional protection, a system of drainage channels is dug around the foundation.

Another way is to equip a drainage ditch. It is dug out from the outside to a depth of 20-30 cm below the floor in the cellar. Then geofabric is laid and crushed stone is poured. A drainage pipe is laid and everything on top is covered with geotextiles and covered with sand or soil with careful compaction.

All of the above methods are additional and are used in the presence of high groundwater. But there are a number of works that are carried out without fail - treating the walls of the cellar outside and inside with a waterproofing compound.

There are also special containers for cellars made of metal sheets or plastic - caissons. It would seem that this is the optimal alternative, and there is no need to carry out complex work on insulation and waterproofing of the cellar. But vegetables do not “breathe” in it and are not stored for long. Condensation forms inside, so maintaining an optimal microclimate in it is very difficult.

As for ventilation, the most in a simple way ventilation of the room is provided by vents in the foundation, or two channels are installed for supply and exhaust ventilation from PVC pipes with a diameter of 10 to 50 mm. Such a system will function due to the temperature difference between the basement air and the air coming from outside.

How to properly ventilate a cellar is described in more detail in the video.

Cellar insulation with foam plastic

A popular insulation material is ordinary polystyrene foam. An alternative may be to insulate the cellar with polystyrene foam. It retains all the characteristics of foam, but is more durable. Most often it is used for external work, but non-residential premises can also be insulated from the inside. Before making your final choice, you should know not only the advantages, but also the disadvantages. This knowledge will allow you to use it as efficiently as possible.

Advantages:

• good thermal insulation properties;
• light weight, due to which it does not place a large load on the walls and foundation;
• affordable price;
• resistance to rotting and mold formation;
• has low hygroscopicity, which means it will not lose its properties upon contact with water.

Flaws:

• not recommended for indoor use. When heated, it releases an unpleasant odor;
• easily ignites upon contact with fire, and when burned releases harmful substances;
• low environmental friendliness.

To insulate walls and ceilings, PSB-25 foam 5 cm thick is used. It will allow maintaining a stable temperature for a long time.

To install it, you do not need to construct a sheathing. It is simply glued with frost-resistant glue to the surfaces of brick or concrete walls. For additional fixation at the joints of sheets, it is attached using dowels with a wide head.

Insulating the cellar from the inside will inevitably lead to the formation of condensation. Therefore, a vapor barrier film is attached on top of the insulation to protect it. All its joints are taped with reinforced masking tape.

Insulation of the ceiling in the cellar

Ceiling insulation must be treated with special attention. Because cold air entering through the pipes can lead to the formation of condensation on the ceiling. If the floor of the first floor is made of wood, then the insulation of the cellar ceiling is done in the same way as the walls. But if the ceiling is a reinforced concrete structure, then the installation of a false ceiling will be required. Most often it is used when insulating the ceiling of a cellar in a garage.

Stages of work:

• pipes or beams with a diameter of 2.5 cm are mounted. They are placed in increments of 60 cm by 15 cm below the level of the reinforced concrete ceiling;
• a fencing mesh is made from reinforcing bars with a diameter of 0.8 - 1 cm;
• the resulting structure is painted with waterproof paint;
• the space between the ceiling and the structure is densely filled with thermal insulation material.

Insulation of the floor in the cellar

There are several ways to insulate the floor in a cellar. Let's look at the main types.

Floor insulation with expanded clay

Of all the known methods, the method of insulating the cellar floor with expanded clay is the most popular. It allows you to achieve complete insulation, is easy to use and inexpensive.

When insulating a floor with expanded clay, you should take into account the load that will be placed on it. The thickness of the expanded clay layer and the concrete screed that lies on top of it depends on this indicator.

But first, a vapor barrier is made with an overlap on the walls at a height no less than the bulk floor.

For insulation, expanded clay with a fraction of 5 - 20 mm of two types is selected. This will provide protection against subsidence.

First of all, beacons are installed using a level. The first is located at a small distance from the wall, and the second, and all subsequent ones, are located at a distance from the rule that will be used to level the screed. They are located strictly parallel to each other.

After the composition on which the beacons were attached has completely hardened, you can begin to fill in the expanded clay. The thickness of the bulk layer should not be less than 10 cm.

The top is poured concrete screed with reinforcement and leveled.

Insulation with sand and crushed stone

It is possible to insulate the floor of a cellar in a garage or house using a structure made of sand, crushed stone and screed.

• First, the floor is deepened by 30 cm and leveled;
• the first layer is filled with crushed stone 10 cm thick;
• a sand cushion 5 cm thick is poured on top of it;
• everything is carefully compacted;
• Hot bitumen is poured as waterproofing;
• The final stage is a reinforced concrete screed.

Insulation of doors in the cellar

IN wooden door There should be no gaps, otherwise air circulation will be disrupted. If they do exist, then they should be sealed using polyurethane foam or sealant.

Don’t forget about insulating the cellar door. Previously, felt was used for this. But now they are insulated with polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam. It is easy to cut, so it will not be difficult to adjust it to the desired size. It is glued from the inside using a special glue for foam plastic.

Insulation of basements and living spaces should be carried out correctly from the outside so that the dew point is outside the walls. This will protect them from getting wet and freezing during the cold season. The service life of load-bearing structures will increase significantly, the microclimate inside becomes optimal for storing vegetables, preparations and other things. However, it is not always possible to carry out such insulation; more precisely, if this was not done during the construction of the house, nothing can be done.

Insulated basement in a private house

In such a situation, only internal insulation will come to the rescue. It allows you to shift the dew point outside the room, which, of course, will not affect the service life of the walls, but will relieve the room from dampness. The topic of today's article is the insulation of the basement and cellar from the inside in a private house, methods of its implementation, materials for these purposes.

This question was partially answered in the introductory part of the article, but the information listed is not all that prompts the adoption of such measures. In addition to protecting the walls from dampness, you need to consider the following:

• When condensation and general dampness leave the room, microorganisms (read: mold) stop actively multiplying in it. If you organize proper supply ventilation and heating, the room can be used as a living room.
• You are expanding the usable area of ​​your home. In the basement, if a large storage area is not required, you can create an active recreation area. Many people set up gyms, billiard rooms, hookah bars, etc. here.
• The absence of dampness allows the use of a wide range of materials for finishing. This means you can create inside beautiful interior for your comfortable presence.

Comfortable seating area in the basement

Important! Dampness in the basement is not only caused by condensation. Foundation walls can be washed away by groundwater, which in some regions runs very deep. high level. You can protect yourself from such a threat only with high-quality waterproofing. It is mounted externally and in several layers.

Insulating the basement from the outside on top of the waterproofing layer

• The total heat loss of a building through the basement can reach high value in 20%. Of course, these are not walls and roofs, but the indicator is also significant. The cold from the basement rises into the living spaces, along the floor without heating and warm coverings moving around is uncomfortable and even dangerous to health.

Advice! If the main reason why a person decided to insulate the basement is precisely this, then it will be enough to insulate only the ceiling on the basement side.

Insulation of the cellar is carried out according to the same standards as for basements. The difference between this structure is that it can stand independently of the house. There are no communications inside, other than electricity. Its insulation is required to ensure optimal conditions for storing food. If the ceilings in the basement are often left uninsulated, then this cannot be done with the cellar.

Why is basement waterproofing and vapor barrier required?

It is impossible to protect your house with just one thermal insulator, especially if no external preparation of the foundation was carried out during the construction of the house. To achieve a quality result, you need to take a series of measures to protect your basement walls and floors.

Diffuse membrane waterproofing inside the basement

• Certain categories of insulation do not tolerate exposure to humidity. The most striking example is mineral wool, which, when wet, loses about 70% of its insulating properties.
• It turns out that the insulation itself needs to be protected. The photo above shows how the basement walls were previously covered with membrane waterproofing. For reference, this material is considered the best in the class of rolled waterproofing insulators, and is among the most effective.
• A wooden frame is mounted on top, inside of which sheets of insulation will be installed. Even if the foundation of the house is affected groundwater, moisture will not get on the insulation in this case.

Installing a vapor barrier film over mineral wool

• Moisture can get onto the insulation and from the room in the form of water vapor. Some people make kitchens or laundry rooms in their basements. There is always enough moisture in such rooms, and it tends to penetrate the walls.

In this case, a membrane vapor barrier film that allows air to pass through only in one direction will help protect the insulation. It is mounted on the same frame, on top of the insulation, using a stapler.

Attention! It is important to strengthen the protection on the right side. Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully, otherwise you will not receive any protection.

Vapor barrier film resembles polymer burlap in appearance

• Next, the sheathing layer is installed. Nowadays, moisture-resistant plasterboard is increasingly used - a good basis for many finishing materials.

Vapor barrier can be completely excluded from the described “pie” if a polymer insulation that is not afraid of moisture is used. We will talk about their types and properties in a separate chapter.

Basement ventilation

The third important point in creating a warm and dry basement or cellar is. Constantly moving air will remove moisture, steam and unpleasant odors from rooms.

Scheme of ventilation of the basement and living quarters

• The ventilation system can be active or passive. The first option involves creating air draft using fans and turbines powered by electricity. It is used mainly in large rooms where natural air movement may not be enough.
• There are three types of ventilation: exhaust, supply and combined. In an exhaust system, fans are set to exhaust. They create areas of low pressure in the room, which immediately tend to fill with air masses through the supply channels.

Exhaust fan in basement

• In the second case, a blower unit is installed that pushes air inside. Increased pressure is created in the cellar, and excess gas is squeezed out through the exhaust ducts.
• If the room has a complex configuration, there are many partitions in it, and air cannot circulate freely, both methods are combined. Such systems are the most effective.

Read also

Construction of poultry houses

Supply ventilation tube installed simultaneously with the basement walls

Passive ventilation for small basements and cellars is also effective. The draft is formed due to the temperature difference between the masses inside the room and those coming from outside. Warm air heats up and becomes lighter; it rises up, going into the exhaust pipe. A new one immediately takes its place through the supply vent.

In order for the room to be well ventilated, the outlet of the supply pipe should be located closer to the basement floor, but no more than 50 cm. The hood is placed under the ceiling and vented upward. In this case, it is better to space the pipes on different sides of the room so that more air is involved in the movement.

Interesting to know! Do proper ventilation not so easy, despite the simplicity of its design. It is very important to correctly calculate the position of the system parts, the diameter of the pipes and the power of the active equipment.

Professionals do these things. If you don't have the funds to hire them, you can use online calculators, but the results they provide will be approximate.

How and with what to properly insulate

In the second part of the article we will talk about popular materials, we will talk about their characteristics and installation methods. Let's look separately at how to insulate floors and learn a little about insulation water pipes which take place in the basement.

Cotton wool for internal insulation of cellars and basements

Depending on your tasks, you can take the following materials:

Material, photo:	Description:
	Mineral wool is a whole class of insulation, including a variety of materials. In this paragraph we will describe them general properties, and in the lower sections we will talk about the types and their differences. Mineral wool can be produced in different densities and thicknesses. On average, 5 cm of such protection is enough to replace clay bricks 10-15 cm thick. The material is flexible, so it is suitable for insulating surfaces of complex shapes. At the same time, it is a good sound insulator. Cotton wool is not afraid of heat - some types can tolerate temperatures of even +1000 degrees Celsius Its composition is completely natural - no one should have allergies. However, it is worth noting that the nuisance is that the lint is too small and gets caught in clothes and skin. It can also get into the lungs, so it is recommended to cover it with film. Mineral wool is not afraid of either rodents or mold, which is important for the basement. They are hygroscopic and strongly attract water. When wet, wool begins to rot, and its insulating properties are greatly reduced.
	Everyone knows this material. It is the cheapest in its class. Made from recycled glass, lime, sand and chemicals. All this is melted in special furnaces, then blown through grates. The composition includes formaldehyde, which is harmful to health, so glass wool is not used for residential premises. You can use it to insulate water supply pipes in the basement of a private house, then cover it with film. Glass fibers are fragile, easily break off upon contact with hands and become embedded in the skin. For this reason, you need to work only in protective clothing - goggles, gloves, a respirator, closed clothing and a hat.
	This material is made from slag obtained in metallurgical production (blast furnace slag). It has residual acidity, which is why it begins to oxidize upon contact with metals. Technically it can be used, but it is better to find a more suitable solution. Slag wool is also not used for pipe insulation. It gets wet very quickly and begins to rot.
	This insulation does not have many of the disadvantages of previous options - it is not fragile, less hygroscopic, practically does not shrink and is more tensile. It is made from diabase and gabbro. This type of cotton wool is sold in rolls and slabs. The first option is good for, that is, you can insulate a basement in a wooden house from the inside, and the second is good for walls. It is installed in the frame.
	Basalt wool can also be classified as stone wool, but it is distinguished by the absence of binding mineral additives. This allows you to increase the upper and lower temperature thresholds (-190 and +1000 degrees, respectively). The service life of the material is 80 years, provided correct installation and permanent waterproofing. Attention! Despite their less fragility, working with stone and basalt wool You also need to wear protective clothing. High-density basalt wool can be used as a base for plaster.
	Organic wools are a separate class of insulation materials. They can be made from different materials: wood fibers; hemp; coconut lint; flax; straw and other natural warm materials. Such slabs are popular in Europe and the world - there is now a real boom in everything natural. In terms of thermal efficiency and other properties, some solutions are even superior to mineral wool, but they have one serious drawback - rotting and other biological hazards. Rodents make cozy and warm homes inside. The efficiency of insulation will suffer from their activity, and unpleasant odors will appear.
Application of ecowool by spraying	Ecowool is a rather exotic material. It is made from paper production waste and old waste paper. It is produced in the form of slabs and loose mixture. This material is hygroscopic, so it needs high-quality protection. They mainly insulate floors and frame structures.

Artificial insulation

Everything that was listed in the article is of natural origin, but a large segment of the market is also occupied by polymers, which in many respects have properties superior to cotton wool.

Material, photo:	Description:
	Thin roll thermal insulators made of foamed polymers are highly efficient. The materials have many names (Penofol, Izolon and others), but their essence is the same. The polymer whipped into foam hardens, air remains in its internal pores, which effectively retains heat. One side can be covered with a layer of foil, which enhances the heat-reflecting properties. The fabric is vapor-tight and completely resistant to moisture. It does not need a vapor barrier - it effectively protects the walls itself. It can be used for both walls and floors, rolled into a screed. An 8 mm layer of the same Penofol will replace 5 cm of mineral wool. Interesting to know! Often this material and mineral wool are combined. A polymer insulator protects the second from moisture.
The basement ceiling is insulated with Penoplex	Extruded polystyrene foam will be almost the best solution for the basement. It is not at all afraid of dampness, very durable, but lacks elasticity (for smooth walls it doesn't matter). It can be installed both outside and indoors. The material is suitable as a base for screed and plaster, capable of supporting high static loads. Holds heat well and is easy to install. It is better to insulate the floor in the basement of a private house using extruded polystyrene foam.
	Innovative insulation with liquid polyurethane foam will create monolithic protection without cold bridges across all surfaces of the basement or cellar. This material and the work required to apply it are quite expensive. Polyurethane foam is superior in thermal efficiency to all other analogues precisely due to the creation of a solid “carpet”. He is also not afraid of water. Only ultraviolet radiation is harmful to it, but there is none in the basement and cellar, especially since everything is then covered with finishing.

Concrete basement ceiling covered with foam plastic

This is still the same polystyrene foam, but of much lower density, and made using a different technology. The material is effective insulation and a sound insulator, is not afraid of water and is easy to install, but it is not particularly durable and is loved by mice. Rodents will quickly process it into waste, so this option is questionable for the basement.

Bulk insulation materials

Insulation of the basement floor in a wooden house and insulation of the cellar can be partially done with bulk materials. They have proven to be a good base for concrete screeds, they are cheap and retain heat well.

This is what expanded clay granules look like

Such insulation is not suitable for walls, except perhaps frame ones, but such insulation is not found in cellars. For wooden floor This is a good solution because it is light in weight. Here is what is used most often in our country:

• expanded clay;
• granulated glass;
• penoizol and granulated polystyrene foam;
• sawdust - they are often mixed with pure clay;
• vermiculite crushed stone made from mica;
• perlite is a volcanic ore.

Basement insulation, like any other part of the building, it is preferable to do it outside at the stage of building a house.

Thermal insulation protects walls and foundations home from freezing, will shift the dew point outward and provide a comfortable and dry atmosphere in the basement all year round.

If, for some reason, external insulation was not done, or was not done well enough, will have to be insulated basement from the inside.

According to GOST 9561-91 and SNiP 2.08.01-85, it is imperative to insulate the basement or first floor floors. Main reasons, according to which the basement is insulated:

1. The usable area of ​​the house is expanding. Depending on desire and capabilities, the basement can be used as a warehouse for storing seasonal items, as a garage, gym, workshop, etc.
2. Thermal insulation protects the foundation of the house and basement walls from dampness and, as a result, from deformation during soil heaving.
3. If the basement is dry and warm, the appearance of dampness, fungi, mold and other microorganisms is eliminated, thereby improving the microclimate and ecological situation throughout the house, the unpleasant smell goes away.
4. According to the same GOST 9561-91, up to 25 percent of the heat escapes through a cold basement, which means that when insulating, most of the money is saved, which is spent on heating the entire house.

Main types heat-insulating materials are:

• polymer materials;
• fibrous materials.

Polymer materials

To polymeric materials include polystyrene foam, penoplex, etc.

The most suitable insulation, of course, is spray polyurethane foam. It will perfectly fill all the cracks, in addition, it will not require additional hydro and vapor barrier. All that remains is to make a false wall on top of it and the work is completed.

Using, penoplex or expanded polystyrene, you must first apply a waterproofing layer to the wall. This can be liquid rubber, tar, or waterproofing films.

On top of it, using special glue and dowels with fungi, sheets of insulation are tightly attached to each other. The gaps between the sheets are sealed with foam or sealant, in the case of expanded polystyrene. Insulation layer thickness, as a rule, 10 cm, but it all depends on the specific situation.

After this, the outer side of the insulation is covered with an adhesive composition, onto which a reinforcing mesh is applied. Another layer of glue is applied to the mesh. After all layers have dried, you can begin to finishing– grouting, priming and plastering.

Important: When insulating basement walls, it is not recommended to use polystyrene foam. But if you still choose it, you need to choose the most moisture-resistant and durable one, for example, the PSB-S-15 brand.

Mineral wool and other types of fibrous materials

These types of insulation absolutely not recommended for insulating any premises from the inside. Due to the fact that when insulating from the inside, it is located on inner surface walls, it will constantly condense moisture.

If exposed to moisture on any materials that have fibers in their structure, they lose their heat-insulating properties, and the entire insulation procedure becomes meaningless.

If you still have to insulate the basement with such materials, you must carefully protect them from the wall. It could be double layer of waterproofing, or air gap.

After installation of mineral wool Be sure to use a vapor barrier layer to allow the cotton wool to “breathe.” Then again there is an air gap and only then finishing with plasterboard or wooden panels.

Methods for insulating basements from the inside

When insulating basements from the inside, along with general rules installation of the selected type of insulation, there are some specific points.

Insulation process The repair of basement walls from the inside must be done in the warm season, when the walls are dry.

If there is condensation on the walls, it is necessary to thoroughly dry the entire room. Otherwise, you can only aggravate the situation and speed up the process of destruction of the building’s foundation.

Insulation of basement walls from the inside

This process is the most important and labor-intensive when arranging thermal insulation of the basement. The future microclimate depends 90% on it. There are some here general features:

• It is advisable to use polymer-type insulation for walls, which is not prone to getting wet and does not allow water vapor to pass through.
• Before installing the insulation, the surface of the walls must be leveled as best as possible by removing the old plaster.
• Any insulation must be laid in such a way that there are no gaps between it and the wall.
• Before insulating the walls of the basement, it is necessary to calculate the thickness and vapor permeability of the future thermal insulation layer, according to the calculation discussed in the article "" or SNiP 02/23/2003 " Thermal protection of buildings».

Only if all the above requirements are met can be achieved the desired result when insulating the basement.

Insulating the ceiling in the basement

Ceiling insulation no less important than wall insulation. The technology here is similar, with the only difference being that when we insulate the ceiling in the basement, we insulate the floor on the first floor.

Since in residential premises always warmer, than below, the dew point here falls on the upper surface of the floor slabs.

Options for insulating the ceiling in the basement:

• Insulation with foam plastic and other polymer materials. It is used if the floors are made of concrete. The thickness of the insulation is usually 5 cm. It is carried out according to a scheme similar to wall insulation. First, a thick layer of waterproofing is applied, then sheets of heat-insulating material are attached to glue or dowel nails, then a reinforcing mesh is stretched and glue is applied. After drying it is plastered. If plaster is not planned, you must first attach it to the ceiling wooden joists, the casing will then be attached to them. In this case, it is necessary to lay a layer of vapor barrier material under the casing.
• Mineral wool. Applicable if the ceiling (floor of the first floor) is made of wooden structures. A waterproofing film is attached to the bottom of the wooden base. Nailed wooden blocks, for external cladding. layers are laid between the bars and fixed with dowels with fungi. A vapor barrier membrane is laid on the wool, and then the sheathing elements are attached.

Insulation of floors in the basement

Usually the floor in the basement is built directly on the ground. The most common way insulation of the floor on the ground - using bulk heat-insulating materials. The second method is insulation with polymer sheet materials:

• Floor insulation using expanded clay. To do this, we separate the soil from the insulation using waterproofing. This can be thick plastic film or roofing felt. A layer of expanded clay, at least 15 cm, is evenly poured on top and poured with cement laitance. A reinforcing mesh is laid directly on the expanded clay and the entire space is filled with a cement solution no less than 5 cm thick.
• When insulating with foam plastic, or polystyrene foam the following is done. A sand cushion 5 cm thick is poured onto the ground, which is well compacted. A waterproofing membrane is spread on top of it with a reserve for the walls. Sheets of insulation are tightly laid on it. There is another layer of waterproofing on top and the “pie” is completed with a reinforced concrete screed at least 5 cm thick.

The use of vapor barrier when insulating a basement

When insulating a basement it is used without perforation. It is laid directly on the insulation without an air gap. If the film is double-sided, then it makes no difference which side you put it on. It happens that the film has different coating, for example, anti-condensation. This film should be laid with the fabric side inside the basement.

Metal coating on film, if any, should also be with inside. Manufacturers of vapor barrier films always indicate the outside and back side in the instructions. By following the installation procedure described by the manufacturer, you can be sure that the heat-insulating layer is reliably protected from water vapor.

Important: Do not pull vapor barrier film with effort. It should lie freely on the insulation.

Insulation of the cellar from the inside

The main difference between a cellar and a basement is the location. The cellar is usually located near the main building and, accordingly, does not have protection from external weather factors above it in the form of a double warm ceiling.

This fact must be taken into account when insulating the cellar from the inside. If the insulation of walls and floors does not differ from the insulation in the basement, then the ceiling needs to be isolated from cold in winter and heat in summer more thoroughly.

For insulating the ceiling in the cellar It is advisable to use slabs made of polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam. The total thickness of thermal insulation must be at least 20 cm.

Insulation process is as follows:

• Treatment of floor slabs with waterproofing material.
• Gluing 2 layers of insulation onto glue in a cross way, sealing the cracks with polyurethane foam. The thickness of each layer of insulation is at least 10 cm.
• Gluing the surface of the insulation with glue using reinforcing mesh.

If you don’t plan to cover the resulting “pie” with anything, then you can stop there. If the ceiling is hidden under the finishing of sheet materials, needs to be added a vapor barrier layer between the sheathing and insulation.

If it is impossible to insulate the basement from the outside, you can carry out heat insulation work from the inside. With the right choice and installation of materials, such insulation will be comparable to external insulation.

Carrying out work must be remembered that the basement is a room with a very aggressive environment, and, accordingly, use high-quality materials. By following insulation technology, you can achieve good result and the house will become warm and cozy, and besides, a lot of free space will be added.

How to make a dry basement and cellar with your own hands, watch the video: