How to insulate the floor in a wooden house from below from the basement?


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Warm floors in a living space mean comfort, coziness, and a healthy atmosphere. Modern buildings are designed using the latest technologies and are often equipped with heated technical rooms. The floor thermal insulation layer added during construction retains heat throughout the entire house and relieves owners from the hassle of additional floor insulation.

In private wooden buildings the situation is completely different. Outdated residential buildings often do not have an insulated floor above the cold basement. Often, owners carry out repair work themselves and insulate floors and ceilings in the basement with their own hands.

Why insulate the floor

In old wooden houses, cold cellars and vegetable storage facilities are always used. Such rooms, located below floor level, in most cases have a small thickness of the floor covering layer and cause a lot of trouble for the owners.


There are several ways to insulate a floor

Without an insulating layer, cold air and dampness come from under the floor all year round. This situation has a detrimental effect not only on human health - it affects the condition of the materials from which wooden floors and wooden floor boards are laid. Rotting processes also develop in wood.

It becomes noticeable that the wood is rotten, dilapidated, and on the log ceiling of the cellar you can see logs blackened by fungus. Until they finally turn into dust, the owner is faced with a completely solvable problem: how to replace the floors and what materials to use for this purpose.

Main difficulties and thermal insulation

How to insulate the basement floor taking into account all relevant standards and technical parameters, but using a normal thermal insulation system? At first glance, this is difficult, and sometimes even impossible, but in reality there is nothing overly complicated here. It is important that all requirements, and such source materials, are studied. And for the correct choice of insulating material, in turn, you should inquire about the properties of the foundation.

Expanded polystyrene is one of the most popular materials today, and when using it you will encounter only one difficulty - the correct selection of thickness. In principle, normal companies that sell this heat insulator should advise which thickness is most suitable. So, the thermal insulation is ready, all that remains is the finishing touches. If stone, tiles, etc. are used for this, then all this is attached with glue to the reinforcing mesh. As an option, the foam can simply be coated with a cement-sand primer. After this, the surface is painted with textured plaster.

That's all, good luck with your insulation and have a warm winter!

Methods for insulating the floor above the basement

To ensure that the basement does not cause trouble during further operation, the ceilings in the basement are replaced. Next, insulation work is carried out, and the choice of insulation, as well as insulation methods, is approached very thoroughly. The process includes not only insulating the ceiling and floor on the basement side, but also insulating the floor directly above the basement.

This is interesting: ways to insulate a basement ceiling from the inside.

In this video you will learn more about insulation: The process depends entirely on the design features of the building. A residential private house does not always have a basement. Insulation measures are carried out directly on the ground, since the thermal engineering calculation involves organizing a ceiling above the basement on the side of the house. During construction work, the quality and characteristics of the materials used should be taken into account.

What should you pay attention to?

The density of the purchased polystyrene foam should be 35 kg per m3 or higher. Materials for work should be purchased only from sellers with a good reputation. Expanded polystyrene boards are often sold with defects, so it is important to visually check their quality before purchasing.

  • Saving on the thickness of the insulation can negate the results of the work done.
  • For installation of anchors, only high-quality drills should be used.
  • With significant ceiling heights, it is safer to use strong sawhorses or low scaffolding than stepladders or chairs.
  • It is recommended to hold the hammer drill with both hands, as it may jam during operation.

What material is the floor insulated with?

The construction and installation of floor slabs is carried out in various ways, which, like the materials offered, are sufficient. It all depends on the features of the structure, individual requirements, owner preferences and financial capabilities. Many insulating raw materials have high-quality properties, good characteristics, and during operation receive only high marks.

Expanded polystyrene

Industrial enterprises produce several types of special slabs that can be used for insulation. When choosing a material, you must pay attention to the purpose of the room and the further load on the floor.

At the initial stage of the process, a thick layer of gravel is laid on the base of the prepared surface, which is covered with a concrete screed. Next, the floor is waterproofed. At the last stage, a wide, soft and comfortable roll of material is stretched.

Extruded polystyrene foam

These boards contain more durable materials. Construction raw materials have a high density and are used when it is necessary to support large weights and loads.

Expanded polystyrene practically does not absorb moisture; it is used in places even with high groundwater levels. The easy-to-use material is attractive due to its low price and does not require the help of special equipment during the work.

Polyurethane foam boards

Of the large number of tiled insulation materials offered, the best option is only rigid materials with a uniform structure and closed cells. They perform floor insulation with such building material more efficiently, in a short time and without extra costs.


Some types of insulation are covered with foil

Some types of polyurethane foam boards are covered with aluminum foil or fiberglass. Such additions increase thermal insulation properties, reduce moisture permeability and distinguish foam plastic from other similar materials.

Mineral wool

Rigid cotton wool boards are chosen as thermal insulation in a wooden house. The material is characterized by high resistance to deformation. You can install such an insulation system yourself, since the entire installation process will not take much time. The fibrous material absorbs moisture well; it is laid out over an unheated basement between two waterproofing layers. To insulate floors in residential premises, it is recommended to use ten-centimeter thick mineral wool.

Expanded clay

Bulk air material can replace three layers at once in insulating a home floor: concrete base, gravel, thermal insulation. Fill the drainage in layers, periodically compacting each layer. At the end, the expanded clay is poured with a solution of cement and sand. When the three-centimeter crust has hardened, waterproofing insulation and concrete screed are laid under the finished floor. After the insulation work has been completed, they begin laying the laminate.

Foam glass

Proper insulation with this material is carried out as follows:

  • lay out a ten-centimeter gravel layer;
  • pour concrete screed;
  • a special adhesive composition is applied to the ends of the insulating blocks;
  • After the glue has dried, the heated floor structure is installed.

In rooms with high humidity, to enhance waterproofing, roofing felt, two layers of polyethylene film, and a cement screed are laid over foam glass. Such actions are usually carried out if the final flooring is made of ceramic tiles.

Granulated slag

The material has high thermal insulation properties, but the by-product of iron smelting contains harmful impurities. In the construction and insulation of country houses, they use material that has undergone careful processing and has a document confirming compliance with regulatory requirements.

The slag is laid directly on leveled ground, without the use of waterproofing. The thickness of the layer should be 40 cm. Next, lay a layer of insulation. The poured concrete screed completes the process. The flooring can be laid out from any material you like.

Ecological wool

Fluff pulp is convenient in the work process. The environmentally friendly material is not damaged by rodents, insects, or fungi. When wet, it does not lose its protective properties, does not shrink, and when ignited, does not support the fire, but smolders. The material is used in dry form and with a solution.


This wool is easy to install

Are there differences for different types of bases?

Thermal insulation of the foundation from the outside meets all existing requirements of regulatory documents, its effectiveness has been confirmed in practice and, with the correct choice of insulation “pie,” it can provide 100% protection of the basement from heat loss and moisture penetration.

Internal foundation protection is used as a forced measure, its effectiveness is low, the degree of protection depends on the type of foundation. The highest level of protection is for a monolithic base ; in this case, all surfaces of the basement must be covered with thermal insulation: walls, base and ceiling. If you do this from the inside, the structure will remain without protection from moisture, cold and the effects of soil heaving.

A strip foundation has the lowest protection coefficient; it is protected with sheets of foam plastic and can be used for outdoor temperatures down to -20 C. You can learn more about how to properly make a strip foundation with your own hands here.

Technology for insulating the floor above the basement in a private house

The basement of a house can be used or not. It can be warm or cold. But regardless of the condition of the basement, the floors in the house must be warm. The work carried out on floor insulation in a private house has significant advantages:

  1. The consumption of heating media is reduced.
  2. A comfortable temperature regime is established in the room.
  3. Rotting and damage to floor structures does not begin between the slabs and the floor walls.
  4. There are no fungal deposits or mold on the foundation and walls.
  5. After the service life has expired, cosmetic finishing, repairs and arrangement do not take much time and money.

There are many technologies for insulating the floor above the basement, but the fastening methods for each material are different. When installing reliable thermal protection, it is necessary to observe the order of layers, which are the same for all existing methods. You should also take a responsible approach to the choice of materials and strictly follow all manufacturer’s recommendations.

Reasons not to do this

Before making a decision about insulating the base from the inside, you should take into account the fact that this option is acceptable only for buried types, in which the underground part creates the basement of the household.

In construction practice , there are several good reasons why carrying out such types of work is inappropriate :

  • According to calculations of the thermal insulation “pie”, it has been proven that reinforced concrete structures will still freeze, even with an insulating layer laid.
  • The foundation will not be protected from temperature changes, which will lead to its destruction.
  • In accordance with calculations, the “dew point” will be established at the “insulation-foundation” boundary, which will require additional means to create a vapor-tight and ventilation layer in the heat-protective “pie”.

Thermal protection of the foundation from the inside is a necessary measure, used only when an external thermal protection device is installed ineffectively or is impossible for good reasons and when calculations have proven that its use will lead to the thermal efficiency of the house.

Features of insulating the basement ceiling of an apartment building

All proposed methods and materials are relevant for basement floor insulation in private homes. In apartment buildings, owners of first-floor housing are often interested in how realistic it is to insulate the ceiling in the basement, when these premises are not personal property.

Living in an apartment with a basement underneath, residents are faced with the problem of cold floors, dampness and mold. Laying an insulating layer in an apartment causes high costs for insulation and forced replacement of the flooring. Also, this situation forces the owner to limit the thickness of the insulation layer if the apartment has low ceilings.

To carry out work on insulating the ceiling in the basement of an apartment building, residents will need a lot of effort, time, and patience to collect all kinds of permits and certificates. It is not a fact that the planned enterprise will be effective and positive.

How to insulate a cellar with foam plastic

Before insulating a basement from the inside with polystyrene foam, all its disadvantages and advantages are taken into account. Then, polystyrene foam 5 centimeters thick, grade PSB-25, is taken. For a long time, it allows you to maintain a stable temperature. No lathing is needed for its installation.

Further, the technology for carrying out the work is as follows:

  • Sheets of foam plastic are glued to the brick or concrete surface of the walls using frost-resistant glue.
  • Additional fixation of the joints is done with dowels with a wide head.
  • A vapor barrier film is attached to protect against condensation.
  • All joints are processed by gluing reinforced masking tape.

Installation of insulation


When laying polystyrene foam, a special cement adhesive is used.

If you decide to insulate the basement with your own hands, then we have compiled step-by-step instructions with photographs especially for you:

  1. We clean the walls from dirt and debris, carefully seal all seams, eliminate imperfections and defects;


We clean and tidy up the walls.

  1. We cover the walls with a deep penetration primer;


We prime the walls.

  1. We take a sheet of expanded polystyrene (or polystyrene foam), cut off the locks from the left end (if installation is carried out from left to right) and apply glue to the sheet with a dosing spatula with teeth;


Apply glue with a notched trowel.

  1. We press the sheet against the wall and fix it with dowels. We hammer the disc-shaped dowels into the left corners and in the middle;

We press the sheet against the wall and fix it.

  1. Take the next sheet, apply glue, press it to the wall. We make sure that the locks on the edges of the sheet coincide, and each subsequent sheet should cover the locks of the previous one, and not be inserted under them. We hammer in the dowels in the left corners and in the middle;


We hammer the dowels into the covering lock.

  1. We complete the first row. We start the second row with half a sheet to offset the seams. Here, when fixing, we hammer in only two dowels - in the lower left corner and in the middle, the remaining corners will be pressed by the following sheets, which will cover the locks near them;


Remember about the displacement of seams.

  1. We cover the entire wall. We move on to the next wall and gradually complete the installation of insulation throughout the entire room. We cover the foam plastic with a reinforced fiberglass mesh, which we coat with a thin layer of glue;


Coat the mesh with glue.

  1. Using the grid, we plaster the walls, onto which we apply the previously selected finishing coating (wallpaper, putty, decorative plaster, etc.).


Using the grid we carry out the finishing of the walls.

Foundation ventilation

Even a foundation that is well insulated from the inside does not eliminate the danger of high levels of humidity forming in a confined space. To prevent such a negative phenomenon, you should properly organize the ventilation of the basement. This is especially important for the foundation of a bathhouse, where there is constant high humidity.

Ventilation can be natural or forced.

To circulate air in the foundation or in the basement, small through openings equipped with covers are installed slightly above the surface of the soil composition. With their help, when organizing constant control of humidity and air temperature, they regulate air movement. From the inside of the basement, the vents are covered with steel mesh to prevent rodents from entering.

Some people prefer to use automated systems for ventilation. As a rule, such equipment is installed in large basements. The automatic system independently controls the moisture content in the air, activating or disabling forced ventilation.

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