How to properly insulate the floor in the apartment on the ground floor

The cold floor in the apartment is the number one problem. Residents of the first floors suffer from a constant blow from below. Even having insulated the ceiling and walls, you will not correct the situation, since the main area of ​​contact is the floor covering. There is only one way out. High-quality floor insulation will not only create comfort in the rooms, but also reduce material costs for heating.

Types of insulation, which is better to choose

The types of existing insulation allow you to make the choice that is most suitable for each individual case. Bulk materials, plates, roll option, as well as liquid composition, each suitable for floor insulation on the ground floor.

Bulk materials
The types of bulk insulation materials include expanded clay, polystyrene foam, slag and some others. Their advantage is the ability to fill the space between the existing crate as much as possible. Expanded clay also has low thermal conductivity, high strength and durability.

Plate materials
This type of insulation is also divided according to their main component. This is mineral wool, polystyrene foam, polystyrene, basalt fiber, vermiculite and others. They are characterized by lightness and low thermal conductivity. To increase thermal insulation, they are used complete with roll insulation.

Polyfoam is an environmentally friendly finishing material, affordable, but differs in fragility and melts when heated. A more successful option is polystyrene foam, which has a higher density, in addition, it is not combustible.

Vermiculite is also an environmentally friendly material, but in a plate version expensive. An alternative may be its granular appearance, which is much cheaper.

Roll materials
In this form, they produce mineral wool, cork mats, foil insulation with a different number of layers.

Some species from this category are small in thickness, so it is better to combine them with thick varieties to preserve floor heat. As for mineral wool, which is an excellent thermal insulator, it copes with the task, as an independent option. Add more of its low cost and get the perfect solution to the problem.

Liquid insulation materials
This insulation is a mixture of a solution of cement with expanded clay, crumb foam or wooden shavings.

A popular liquid insulation is penoizol. This is a polymer having a foamed structure. It fills the entire space with the help of specialized equipment.

There is still environmentally friendly, but rejected by many, material. Plant fiber from straw pressed into mats is an excellent alternative to modern materials. The only negative point is that after time it decomposes, like any organic matter.

One of the factors affecting the choice of insulation is the type of floor base - concrete or wood. Also, the structural features of the insulation process are affected by the presence of a basement or its absence.

Concrete floor insulation

On the one hand, the concrete base is durable, which is why it is the main material for flooring in apartment buildings. But it firmly holds the cold. This is especially noticeable on the ground floor, regardless of whether there is a basement or whether the floors are near the ground. In any case, a thermal insulation device is required.

If there is a basement, it is also necessary to provide waterproofing, since the dampness formed below will be deposited on the walls in the form of mold.

1. It is necessary to start floor insulation with preparatory work. Remove a clean coating, check the concrete base for cracks, crevices and other deformations. To eliminate the existing defects, pour cement mortar, leave until completely dry. Then treat the surface with an impregnation specifically designed to strengthen cement and concrete.
2. Next, a waterproofing layer is laid, which is successfully used as a plastic film. Its edges should be placed on the walls by 15 cm.
3. The device frame under the insulation material. Logs are put on pre-stacked bars, and the structure itself is attached to a concrete base.
4. The next stage is laying the insulation. The first layer may be loose. On top of it, the space between the structural elements is filled with any other type of insulation product.
5. For moisture resistance, the structure is covered with a waterproofing film, fixing it to the lags with brackets.

At this process of insulation can be completed. But if the height of the room and the family budget allow, it is possible to strengthen the thermal insulation properties of the floor base. Plywood or boards are suitable as a rough floor, it depends on the type of clean coating.

Warming of a wooden floor

The wood floor is practical, aesthetic in appearance, environmentally friendly, it is warmer than concrete. But this type of coating on the ground floor needs to be insulated. The technological process takes place in a certain sequence.

1. Remove the existing coating by checking its integrity.
2. The space between the lags is filled with sheets of mineral wool or polystyrene. If expanded clay is used as insulation, choose fine granulation. Pour loose and compact so that the filling is uniform and dense. But before dealing with expanded clay, lay the waterproofing in the form of a plastic film.
3. The next layer is gypsum fiber sheets, which differ from drywall in increased strength. Putty the joints and you can lay the final floor.

Expanded clay insulation is the most reliable option for maintaining heat. It can also be laid on a concrete base. It is characterized by minimal thermal conductivity, low density, very light.

Options for external insulation

A huge role in the insulation of the floor on the first floor will be played by external insulation, that is, a series of events held in the basement. This is not always realistic, and not every material is suitable for these purposes, but when the conditions allow, this opportunity should be used.

It is impossible not to take into account the presence of existing communications that interfere with the work. The use of mineral wool is unacceptable with high humidity basement. Observing fire safety standards, foam insulation also has a certain risk, but in some cases it is possible. Glue sheets of insulation to the basement ceiling with a finished compound, sold in specialized stores. Fill joints with mounting foam.

The most optimal solution is to insulate the basement door. Let a little, but the heat can be saved in this way. The access to cold air will stop if the ventilation opening is closed in the basement for the winter period.

Warm floor

Insulated floors of a new type, in addition to maintaining the thermal regime of the flooring, also increase the temperature of the air. Their varieties differ in the principle of action and cost, both during installation and during operation.

1. Infrared floors are special-purpose films. It is laid directly under the final coating.
2. Electric mounted in a screed or on top of the rough floor. Installation of such a floor is quite simple, but the negative point is its high energy consumption.
3. Watermarks are a tube with circulating water. Go deep into the screed.This is the most economical option for installation and operation. First, one of the classic heaters is laid on the floor to reduce heat loss. An reinforcing mesh is laid on top, intended for fastening pipes by means of clamps. The tubes themselves are arranged in a spiral, water is poured into them. And only after special testing the screed is performed. When it dries, you can proceed with the installation of a clean floor. The effect obtained from warming in this way will meet all expectations.

Each person is characterized by a desire for economy and comfortable conditions. To get both at the same time, just use one of the methods of floor insulation in the apartment on the first floor. You will feel comfort instantly, but the economic effect will be your companion throughout the entire stay in a warm room.

Video: floor insulation over a cold basement