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Claudia565 Sep 2011 10:07Hello,
soon we will be moving into our "new" 30-year-old house. It doesn’t have very good energy performance ratings, but we can’t afford a complete renovation with new windows and external wall insulation.
However, we want to insulate the top floor ceiling – which is a concrete slab. Above it is an attic of about 100m² (1,076 sq ft), which will only be used for storage of items not needed regularly. The insulation must therefore be walkable. Around the chimney, the insulation should be fire- or heat-resistant, as far as I have read.
The attic ladder also needs to be insulated – either replaced with an insulated attic staircase or fitted with an insulated cover. I would prefer the latter, as I think it’s easier to carry out by two people – but what is better?
There are many different insulation boards available online – which ones are suitable for skilled DIYers to install themselves? The floor is flat and does not need to be leveled or built up with filling material. Do I need a vapor barrier with a concrete ceiling depending on the insulation material used? What material should be placed around the chimney?
For 100m² (1,076 sq ft), the solution should also be reasonably cost-effective.
Thanks in advance
Claudia
soon we will be moving into our "new" 30-year-old house. It doesn’t have very good energy performance ratings, but we can’t afford a complete renovation with new windows and external wall insulation.
However, we want to insulate the top floor ceiling – which is a concrete slab. Above it is an attic of about 100m² (1,076 sq ft), which will only be used for storage of items not needed regularly. The insulation must therefore be walkable. Around the chimney, the insulation should be fire- or heat-resistant, as far as I have read.
The attic ladder also needs to be insulated – either replaced with an insulated attic staircase or fitted with an insulated cover. I would prefer the latter, as I think it’s easier to carry out by two people – but what is better?
There are many different insulation boards available online – which ones are suitable for skilled DIYers to install themselves? The floor is flat and does not need to be leveled or built up with filling material. Do I need a vapor barrier with a concrete ceiling depending on the insulation material used? What material should be placed around the chimney?
For 100m² (1,076 sq ft), the solution should also be reasonably cost-effective.
Thanks in advance
Claudia
Hello Claudia,
The Energy Saving Ordinance requires all property owners to insulate the top walkable ceiling or the roof directly above it by the end of 2011. As you suggested yourself, this can be done simply and cost-effectively by covering the top ceiling from above with insulation material. According to the German Energy Agency (dena), at least a 12-centimeter (5-inch) layer of insulation should be installed. The agency’s recommendation is between 18 and 20 centimeters (7 to 8 inches). These thicknesses are easy to achieve using XPS insulation. Available in designs with tongue and groove, smooth edges, or step joints, the insulation boards can be laid out to form an even surface. The key advantage of XPS is its high compressive strength: the insulation boards can withstand pressures of up to 30 tons per square meter (6,140 pounds per square foot), making them walkable and able to support heavy loads, such as fully packed moving boxes being moved around. Covering the insulation with chipboard flooring panels at least 22 millimeters (7/8 inch) thick, which protect the material from sharp edges and shoe heels, ensures that the attic remains fully usable even with the insulated ceiling.
I wish you every success!
FPX Fachvereinigung Polystyrol-Extruderschaumstoff
The Energy Saving Ordinance requires all property owners to insulate the top walkable ceiling or the roof directly above it by the end of 2011. As you suggested yourself, this can be done simply and cost-effectively by covering the top ceiling from above with insulation material. According to the German Energy Agency (dena), at least a 12-centimeter (5-inch) layer of insulation should be installed. The agency’s recommendation is between 18 and 20 centimeters (7 to 8 inches). These thicknesses are easy to achieve using XPS insulation. Available in designs with tongue and groove, smooth edges, or step joints, the insulation boards can be laid out to form an even surface. The key advantage of XPS is its high compressive strength: the insulation boards can withstand pressures of up to 30 tons per square meter (6,140 pounds per square foot), making them walkable and able to support heavy loads, such as fully packed moving boxes being moved around. Covering the insulation with chipboard flooring panels at least 22 millimeters (7/8 inch) thick, which protect the material from sharp edges and shoe heels, ensures that the attic remains fully usable even with the insulated ceiling.
I wish you every success!
FPX Fachvereinigung Polystyrol-Extruderschaumstoff
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