ᐅ Should the ceiling below the attic be insulated?

Created on: 24 Oct 2021 19:04
K
Keks2013
Hello. We are currently renovating a mid-terrace house built in 1963. Everything needs to be completely renewed: electrical wiring, water pipes, heating pipes, etc. The house is basically in a shell state right now. The interior ceilings were originally insulated with reed mats, which we have removed. Now the ceilings are basically completely "bare"... you can only see the concrete blocks. We plan to cover the ceilings with drywall (plasterboard) and had considered insulating the cavity between the ceiling and the drywall. However, we have been told that interior ceilings are no longer insulated nowadays. This confuses us... Heat rises and would escape through the ceilings and the attic (which is not insulated at all), wouldn’t it?

We have also read that at least the ceiling directly below the attic should be insulated. Long story short:

a) Do interior ceilings need to be insulated? If yes, what type of insulation material should be used?
b) Does the ceiling under the unheated and uninsulated attic need insulation? If yes, what type of insulation?
c) Should only the attic itself be insulated? If yes, what material is recommended?

We would be very grateful for your opinions!
M
Myrna_Loy
25 Oct 2021 10:05
Reed mats on the ceiling were originally used only as a base for plaster, not as insulation.
Y
ypg
25 Oct 2021 12:21
I seem to remember that insulation installed in the wrong place can cause mold. In older buildings, walls and windows need to be considered together. Nowadays, insulation is applied on the outside. That’s why I suggest insulating the ceiling as well, so that a cold roof is created.
11ant25 Oct 2021 13:45
Keks2013 schrieb:

The ceilings in the interior rooms were originally insulated with reed. We have removed that. Now the ceilings are basically completely "bare"... you can only see the concrete blocks. We plan to cover the ceilings with drywall and were considering insulating the cavity between the ceiling and the drywall.
As you have probably realized by now, your wording was somewhat unclear, as it was not obvious what exactly you were referring to: a) the paving stones used as impact sound insulation on a wooden beam ceiling, or b) the view from below of a precast concrete panel ceiling. It has become clearer that you meant the latter. But if that is the case, as I suspect, then it is most likely a pumice concrete precast ceiling (with what type of beams supporting it?). Wooden battens for fixing the drywall should attach well; with standard concrete, this would be more difficult. Consider using this substructure as a service cavity and, if appropriate, recessing spotlights (or, for example, speakers in the kitchen) into it.

In general, I recommend that you support the discussion with photos showing exactly what you are describing.

You don't have to use his work as a benchmark, but as a reading tip I suggest you check out the story by @LordNibbler: https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/sanierung-bestandsimmobilie-unser-weg-zum-haus.31363/
https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
J
Joedreck
25 Oct 2021 14:54
Don’t change anything at all. Just add the insulation and that’s it. Any moisture that may occur can escape through the mineral wool.
K
Keks2013
29 Oct 2021 18:57
Thank you for the many responses. They have definitely helped us move forward. We will not insulate the ceilings but the attic instead. We were also not aware that the reed was only used to help the plaster adhere.
Best regards