Insulation of a wooden floor with expanded clay. Floor insulation with expanded clay. Which expanded clay should I choose and what thickness should I lay the layer? How thick is the expanded clay layer for floor insulation?

In the modern world, when energy prices rise literally every day, home owners pay a lot of attention to insulation.

Not only walls, but also floors are insulated.

In most cases, expanded clay is used for insulation.

Expanded clay is a bulk universal building material with a porous, light structure.

The shape of this insulation can be round or oval.

Expanded clay is obtained by firing in special kilns drum type light alloy clays.

Firing temperature - 1000-1300 degrees.

Depending on the quality of the clay, the resulting material has different densities.

Its mass depends precisely on the density indicator: from 250 to 600 kg/cubic. meter.

Depending on the size of the expanded clay granules, three types of fractions are produced:

expanded clay sand (up to 10 mm);
expanded clay gravel (10-20 mm);
expanded clay crushed stone (20-40 mm).

Expanded clay is able to solve two very important problems at the same time: leveling the surface and insulating it.

Expanded clay is especially effective for insulating the floor of the first floor.

Moreover, this material can be used as insulation not only on the floor.

It is also poured onto the ceiling of the last floor of the house, and expanded clay is also used when filling the walls of the house.

Despite the fact that scientists have developed more modern materials for insulation in recent decades, so far none of them can compare with expanded clay either in functionality or in cost.

In addition to its main property - retaining heat in a room, this material also has many good properties.

It is thanks to them that it is still a leader among insulation materials.

Here they are:

Thermal insulation level. It is enough to pour only 10 centimeters of expanded clay so that the thermal insulation is exactly the same as with 30 cm natural wood! Or a whole meter of brick wall! Expanded clay has a thermal conductivity of only 0.12 W/mK.
Decent strength.
High degree of sound insulation.
Durability. Since expanded clay is made from clay, its service life is almost endless.
Fire resistance and heat resistance.
Light weight.
Easy to install.
Low price.

This wonderful material has only one drawback - poor moisture resistance.

If the granules of this insulation are saturated with moisture, then it remains in them for a long time.

Therefore, high demands are placed on operation.

Insulation process

This video will show you the technology of floor insulation with expanded clay under a screed:

Preliminary surface preparation

The process of filling the material is not particularly labor intensive.

However, if you want expanded clay to “work” with maximum efficiency, then you need to do some preparatory work.

Believe me, you shouldn’t be lazy, because the material can be damaged irrevocably.

So:

The first step is to calculate the load on the floor. The thickness of the coating is determined.
If there is damage to the old floor in the form of cracks or potholes, they must be repaired.
After sealing the cracks, it is necessary to lay a layer of waterproofing on the floor. Thick polyethylene film will do. It is important that when laying the film, its edges extend onto the walls. After filling and filling is completed, excess film is removed.

It will take little time to complete such preparatory work.

But there are a lot of benefits from them!

After everything is prepared, proceed directly to laying the floor.

It should be said that this does not require special knowledge and skills.

Floor on the ground on joists

Let's consider insulating the floor with expanded clay on the ground on joists.

If the logs are removed, the soil surface is completely cleared and compacted.

Then any material based on bitumen (glassine, roofing felt, etc.) should be laid on it as waterproofing.

Then the required layer of this insulation is poured on top of the waterproofing.

Expanded clay is covered with a layer of expanded clay or coarse river sand, reinforced and a screed is poured.

Now all that remains is to lay the vapor barrier, tile insulation and any flooring.

The base is on logs, which are supported on brick supports

In private houses, especially wooden ones, this is the floor design that is used.

In this case, the insulation is poured only to the level of the joists placed on the posts.

Then the skull blocks are nailed and the flooring is made from wood boards or boards.

Laying the floor on top of a concrete slab

Such insulation is installed only in those rooms where the flow height is very high.

Because after filling the expanded clay layer and installing the screed, the floor level will rise significantly.

Before starting work, remove the old flooring down to the bare slab.

Then repairs are carried out (if necessary), during which all irregularities and cracks are repaired.

A polyethylene film is laid, which plays the role of waterproofing, and a layer of expanded clay is poured onto the film.

Backfilling is carried out to the front door from the farthest corner.

In order for this insulation to lie flat, beacon slats are pre-installed according to the level.

Now the resulting “pie” should be moistened with “cement laitance” so that the expanded clay granules adhere to each other.

After 24 hours, when the expanded clay after distribution is fixed with cement laitance, a screed is made.

Expanded clay concrete base in a bathhouse or garage

The design of this floor is very simple.

Strips of waterproofing material are spread directly on the ground.

It can be either dense polyethylene or any bitumen-based material.

Laying of waterproofing is carried out by approaching the wall to the height of the planned pouring.

Then you need to install the beacons at a level so that the floor surface is horizontal.

The next step is mixing the solution.

The solution is where the main feature lies.

Solution composition:

cement – 1 part;
sand – 2 parts;
water – 1 part;
expanded clay - 3 parts.

Ideally, expanded clay gravel should be used.

Then the concrete will be more dense and durable.

After the mixture has been thoroughly prepared, it is poured over the surface, focusing on the beacons, carefully compacted, and after hardening, the surface is ferruginated with cement laitance.

Waterproofing

It probably caught your eye that the word “waterproofing” is mentioned by us very often.

Yes, that's right.

Because the insulation cannot be wetted with water.

Wet expanded clay is effective only as part of concrete.

And even then its efficiency will be an order of magnitude lower than that of dry material.

It is for this reason that before starting to fill the expanded clay, waterproofing is installed.

And there are a lot of options:

bitumen-based mastic;
various polymer mixtures;
material impregnated with bitumen;
polymer-cement mixture;
rubber coating;
high density polyethylene film.

The most economical and therefore the most common waterproofing option is polyethylene film.

However, the vapor permeability of polyethylene film is very poor.

Therefore, many experts believe that ideal waterproofing is a combination of any material based on bitumen (roofing felt) and bitumen mastic.

The waterproofing properties of this combination are exceptional.

This composition is also distinguished by its durability.

To maximize the effect of expanded clay as a thermal insulator, it should be used as a dry backfill on top of waterproofing, and not as one of the components of concrete.

The thickness of the layer of this insulation should not depend on your desire, but on the permissible load on the floor.

To attach beacons, alabaster is used, which dries quickly and allows you to set the level quickly and efficiently.

In order for the structure to be intact and the expanded clay layer not to deform under load, it is reinforced with a metal mesh.

To ensure that expanded clay granules adhere better to each other, fractions of different sizes are used, that is, large and small granules are mixed.

The floor will reach its design strength only after 28 days.

Of course, in a few days it will be possible to walk on it, but this should not be done.

In order for your home to be comfortable, you need to take care additional insulation walls, roof and floor. Thanks to such work, you can not only create comfort, but also significantly save on heating the room in the future. Where is it advisable to use expanded clay? As insulation for vertical and horizontal surfaces it is widely used in private homes and industrial buildings. This option is considered the best and financially justified.

Expanded clay: what is it?

This building material is fairly light granules with small pores. They are obtained by It can be used both in private houses and in standard apartments located in high-rise buildings. Expanded clay is environmentally friendly for human health, as it contains absolutely no synthetic additives and harmful substances, which can be harmful and lead to harmful consequences. It allows air to pass through well, which prevents moisture condensation. Expanded clay insulation (people's reviews allow us to judge its quality) first of all has good thermal insulation. It also acts as a noise-absorbing material and has a high level of frost resistance and is not destroyed by temperature fluctuations. The service life of expanded clay is quite long; in this indicator it has no equal among other materials. It is worth noting that this insulation is not at all afraid of prolonged interaction with hot and cold water. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid that after a flood you will have to completely change the base of the floor.

Types of expanded clay

Expanded clay is used quite often as insulation in construction. However, you need to know that, depending on the scope of application, it is necessary to choose a certain type of material. As a rule, three main varieties can be distinguished.

The first, sand, is most often added to dry mixtures that are intended to be applied to surfaces in order to create a thermal insulation layer. Maximum size its granules are 5 mm. This type can also be used to create a heat and sound insulating cushion, which is compacted under the main covering.

Please note: a layer 15 cm thick allows you to save 50% on heating.

Expanded clay, as an insulation material (reviews are mostly positive), in the form of granules is used not only for floors, but is also widely used for roofing and ceilings. Owners of private houses give preference to this fraction when it comes to an attic or attic.

Expanded clay in the form of crushed stone is finely crushed gravel. The grain sizes are different. Thanks to this, the compacted layer is as functional as possible. Consumer reviews give the right to judge its high quality and properties. It copes well with its main purpose even in the coldest rooms.

Properties of expanded clay as insulation

The main indicator of this material is its natural clay composition. After high-temperature treatment, it becomes quite strong and reliable. It is worth noting that by using it in garages and basements, you can forget about such a problem as rodents. At an average cost, it has a long service life. And in comparison, for example, with wood, it is significantly better, since it does not rot, does not create a favorable environment for insects, and is not at all afraid of humidity and even prolonged exposure to water.

The properties of expanded clay as insulation are multifunctional both in winter and summer. He is considered the most universal material, which has high level frost resistance and copes well with exposure high temperatures.

The main property of this material is the complete absence of toxicity. Also, importantly, expanded clay does not create a favorable environment for mold, mildew and other pathogenic bacteria. Due to the fact that it does not enter into chemical reactions with aggressive substances, such a coating completely eliminates the possibility of the formation of harmful vapors that can adversely affect human health.

Expanded clay guarantees excellent thermal insulation for both the foundation and the roof. Thanks to its use, the house will faithfully serve for many years. Let's consider the advantages of insulation

Reviews from consumers who have already used expanded clay to insulate their homes allow us to highlight its main advantages.

Let's discuss the disadvantages

Like any other material used in construction, expanded clay has some disadvantages:

In private houses, garages and basements, the layer thickness should exceed 50 cm, otherwise there will be no benefit from such a pillow at all.
Very damp areas Expanded clay is completely unsuitable as floor insulation. Feedback from people allows us to draw these conclusions. However, the above-described drawback can be corrected using a special waterproofing film.

Scope of expanded clay

The scope of application of this material is quite large. First of all, it is a common material for It is in this place that it is considered the most ideal and financially acceptable. But for comparison: expanded clay as wall insulation (reviews help to conclude that this method is unprofitable) is used quite rarely. Some may say that nowadays manufacturers have developed special heated floors. And so it is. However, their cost is quite high, which makes this option practically inaccessible. But expanded clay, on the contrary, is easy to install and at a price suitable for any family with average income.

Depending on the base of the floor, the appropriate insulation method is selected:

Wall insulation using expanded clay is also used in construction. Basically, this method is acceptable in newly erected buildings. It consists in using a certain three-layer method, where the main layer consists of capsimet (a mixture of expanded clay with cement laitance).

Due to its light weight, this material is widely used for insulating roofs, attics, and attics. This method will not lead to an increase in the load on the foundation and, as a result, will not require additional financial costs for strengthening. Expanded clay as ceiling insulation is used in a unique way, that is, from the attic side, using the floor insulation method. The main advantage of this option is the absence of leaks and mold formation.

Insulation earthen soil also quite relevant, very often used in greenhouses for growing seedlings, seedlings, etc.

Expanded clay production technology

Some types of clay, which melts easily, are placed in a special chamber. In it it softens to a dough-like mass. After this, using exposure to high temperatures (over 1000 0 C), it is heated to boiling. It is this process that leads to the formation of porous granules. The more there are, the higher quality the expanded clay is considered. Here the raw materials remain until completely cooled. After which it is sorted and prepared for transportation. Expanded clay granules are produced in this way. However, if sand is needed, then the finished material is ground into small particles using a press. Crushed stone is produced in a similar way with the only difference: expanded clay granules are crushed into several parts. Their sizes are mainly different, which allows you to get a better result when filling.

Floor insulation technology

Expanded clay can be used as floor insulation only after special preparatory work has been carried out. There are several required steps:

Preparation. It is necessary to completely remove the old coating. Based on reviews from people who have already used this method of insulation, wooden floors are disassembled down to the fastening structure. If the joists are in good condition, they can be left.
Forming a sand cushion. It must be at least 10 cm thick. Before laying subsequent layers, the sand is carefully compacted.
After this, expanded clay is poured. It is recommended to immediately determine the thickness of its layer, since the thermal insulation effect will depend on this parameter.

All work is carried out strictly according to guidelines in order to maintain the evenness of the floor covering. If all steps are carried out accurately, then good result guaranteed.

Where to start insulating the floor with expanded clay?

Before you start insulating the floor, you need to familiarize yourself with all the nuances. Expanded clay as a floor insulation (people's reviews confirm this information) is considered the most ideal option, however, only if installed correctly.

So, let's take a closer look at what you need to know to get the desired result:

Determination of the material from which the floor base is made. This criterion is quite important, since its thermal conductivity fully affects the overall indicator.
Calculation of the thickness of the expanded clay layer. For clarity, the following example can be given: concrete slab with the addition of expanded clay 60 cm thick will provide the same warmth as a meter of brickwork.
Planned load. The floor is the only surface that is constantly exposed to mechanical stress. Therefore, it is necessary to take this parameter into account at the planning stage. When calculating what the expanded clay layer should be, the main thing is to avoid mistakes, so it is recommended to contact specialists to make accurate calculations.
Don't forget about the waterproofing layer. There are several features in which expanded clay without this layer will not be effective.

You also need to remember that an expanded clay pillow acquires maximum properties with a width of at least 15 cm

If the floor insulation work will be carried out independently, you need to take note of several important recommendations, which are compiled based on customer reviews:

Roof insulation

Expanded clay has been used for roof insulation for quite some time. Of course, many competing materials have appeared in this area over such a long period, but it has not yet been possible to completely replace natural materials. It is by using expanded clay as a floor insulation (look for truthful reviews on the information stands of manufacturing companies) that you can fully judge all its advantages.

First of all, thanks to this material it becomes possible to completely eliminate problems with condensation. The formation of steam and moisture is reduced to zero. Also, importantly, the roof will be protected from leaks for a long time. The light weight of the material will allow you not to spend money on additional strengthening of the foundation. And this is some kind of quite significant savings. If you involve professionals in the work, the end result will please the owners not only with warmth and comfort, but will not require financial investments for reconstruction for a long time.

The main specificity of carrying out insulation work with expanded clay, its strengths and weaknesses, floor preparation and thermal insulation technology, creation of concrete screed and final surface finishing.

Contents of the article:

Floor insulation with expanded clay is one of the most known methods its thermal insulation. Many synthetic heat insulators that were previously in demand are being replaced by natural insulation materials that are safer for humans and pets. Considering the relatively low cost of the material and consumables, it is not surprising that it has earned such popularity.

Features of floor insulation with expanded clay

Expanded clay is a natural insulation material because it is made from clay and shale-containing rocks containing no more than 30% quartz in its base. During the manufacturing process, raw materials are subjected to heat treatment in special ovens. The temperature affects it in such a way that it sinteres and forms granules of various sizes.

During production, it is not possible to produce granules of the same size. Therefore, expanded clay is divided into the following fractions: sand - 5-10 mm, crushed stone - 10-20 mm, gravel - 20-40 mm. The material is characterized by its low weight and porous structure.

Experts recommend it as a reliable and effective heat insulator, since it is not only harmless to the health of the inhabitants, but also reduces the cost of insulation, as well as further maintenance of the building. Which expanded clay is best for floor insulation depends on the type of building and its purpose. To achieve maximum effect from thermal insulation with this material, the characteristics of the floor surface on the first floors of buildings are taken into account.

When making calculations, it is necessary to take into account that this layer of only 10 cm has an effect that is equal to 20 cm from wood insulation. Whether to fill expanded clay around the perimeter of the insulated floor or mix it with a concrete screed is up to each owner to decide for himself.

If you are interested in how to insulate a floor with expanded clay, pay attention to its basic properties in combination with other materials. One of the common methods of thermal insulation is mixing cement with expanded clay granules. As practice shows, this option improves the insulation characteristics of indoor floors. On the other hand, the main advantage of this material is the presence of air bubbles in it, which are created during its production.

When we insulate the floor with expanded clay with our own hands, mixing granules with cement-sand mortar, then we achieve a deterioration in its thermal insulation qualities due to the presence of water in the composition. That's why professional construction crews in many cases, preference is given to the dry insulation method. But the use of wet solutions is in demand in those facilities where the floors have significant differences and it is necessary to level them with a new concrete screed. In addition, it is much easier to work with solutions than with dry expanded clay.

Important to know! Granulated expanded clay must be laid so that it is reliably isolated from moisture that can enter from below. Even in cases where the heat insulator is not placed directly on the earthen base, it is impossible to do without covering it with a waterproofing film. The height should be such on both sides that it rises several centimeters above the insulation.

Advantages and disadvantages of floor insulation with expanded clay

The main positive characteristics of this insulator are as follows:

It is completely harmless to humans and pets, since no chemicals are used in its production, but only exclusively natural materials.
In addition to its heat-insulating qualities, it acts as a good barrier against the penetration of extraneous noise and sounds into the room.
Expanded clay is characterized by increased fire resistance and resistance to significant temperature fluctuations.
It perfectly withstands even the most severe frosts, preventing heat loss from the building.
Simple installation technology makes it possible not to involve outside specialists at the stage of such work.
Expanded clay is practically not subject to physical, biological and chemical effects.
You can achieve different meanings thermal insulation by changing the size of material fractions.

There are, of course, certain disadvantages that characterize floor insulation with expanded clay. Firstly, it is quite high fragility, which it owes to natural raw materials. This can significantly complicate the creation of an insulating layer. Therefore, it is necessary to lay expanded clay with the utmost care so as not to disturb the structure of the granules - otherwise this will lead to a violation of the insulating properties.

Secondly, it is worth mentioning the moisture-absorbing characteristics, which can also be a real disadvantage. This is due to the fact that the granules only absorb moisture, but do not release it outside.

Another negative quality is the thickness of expanded clay. It automatically leads to the creation of a fairly thick insulating layer. Therefore, such thermal insulation is not entirely suitable for rooms with low ceilings, because the volume of space will significantly decrease.

Expanded clay floor insulation technology

These works are not particularly difficult if you carefully follow the recommendations given here. This does not require construction qualifications, but you must adhere to the specified algorithm.

Preparatory work before installing expanded clay

Before proceeding with thermal insulation, it is necessary to carry out a number of works to prepare the floor surface. This may include the removal of old flooring, old joists, and fastening structures. You can leave all this only if the wear of the elements allows them to be reused.

If we are talking about insulation on a soil base, then it is first carefully leveled and then compacted. A layer of gravel or crushed stone approximately 30 cm high is laid on it. A 10 cm layer of sand is poured on top of these materials.

For concrete bases, it is enough to remove protruding folds using grinding machine with attachments for working on concrete. Pits and depressions are filled with leveling mixtures or putty.

After this, the floor is cleaned of debris, particles and dust, and wet cleaning is performed. Once the surface is completely dry, it is coated with 2 layers of primer. The base is ready for insulation.

For country and cottage-type houses, it is best to opt for insulation using joists.

Instructions for installing expanded clay on the floor

As for expanded clay fractions for floor insulation, to achieve greater efficiency it is necessary to mix heterogeneous ones, that is different sizes granules. Therefore, large pieces of material alternate with small ones in the same space. This is also due to the fact that large granules are less compacted on their own.

The very essence of floor insulation with expanded clay comes down to the following:

Before pouring granules onto the floor, it must be waterproofed. Even ordinary plastic film can be used for these purposes. The joints on the panels are fastened using ordinary tape - this is necessary to ultimately obtain a single canvas.
To carry out insulation, it is necessary to obtain a perfectly flat surface of the site. To achieve its leveling, the level of the future floor is marked with construction beacons before filling. The first is installed at a distance of 2-3 cm from the wall. All subsequent ones are placed in a parallel line, thereby achieving a single screed. To fix the beacons, you can use cement mortar.
After all the guides are aligned, begin filling in the expanded clay granules. The insulation layer should be as even as possible and free from irregularities and differences.
To ensure that the expanded clay is securely fixed, it is filled with cement mortar. It will give the future layer the necessary strength.
In some cases, it may additionally be necessary to use reinforcing mesh. It will be able to give the entire structure a single whole and reduce the risk of deformation of the insulated coating.

The complete hardening time of the poured floor is from 7 to 10 days, after which it will be possible to move freely on it.

Pouring concrete screed

After the expanded clay insulation is laid, it must be covered with a concrete screed. It will not only add strength and fix the top layer, but also provide waterproofing on top.

But first, another intermediate layer is poured. It is made from a mixture of cement and water, which form a kind of suspension. It should be neither too liquid nor too dry. This layer is necessary to displace air with cement from air pores. The result is a monolithic coating that will not be subject to heavy loads or excess moisture.

Now you can move on to the final screed, which will not only level the insulated floor, but also prepare it for laying any floor covering.

The quality and strength of the entire assembled structure will depend on the quality of the prepared solution. In other words, this is the quality of sand and cement, as well as their proportions in the mixture. A lack of cement leads to weakening of the strength, while its excess leads to the solution hardening too quickly.

The optimal ratio is considered to be: 1.5 parts of cement to 1 part of sand, while water should not exceed 20% of the resulting volume of dry matter. It is added by eye, and then mixed until a homogeneous solution is obtained, which is poured on top of the expanded clay.

The coating is leveled evenly over the entire layer of heat insulation using a large spatula, and as a result, a so-called “coupling mirror” is formed.

The following recommendations will help you perform a correct and effective screed that perfectly levels the floor:

It is important to prepare the potting mixture in the required proportion.
Drafts, excess moisture should be excluded whenever possible.
The mixing installation and working containers for solutions should be prepared in advance, and you should also ensure the operability and safety of the equipment.
The base level of the floor is measured, after which calculations are made to determine the height of the future screed.
The layers must be applied in sequential order.
In order to control cracks, cuts with a spatula can be used, if necessary.

The technology of floor insulation with expanded clay followed by installation of screed requires complete drying of the poured surface before final finishing. This allows for the necessary connection of materials. To do this, it must be covered with any protective materials - sheet cardboard, plastic, etc. will do.

Finishing of insulated floor

One of the promising options for finishing a thermally insulated floor could be laying parquet with subsequent varnishing. True, not every owner can afford this technology due to the high cost of wood. For parquet flooring it is necessary to invite experienced craftsmen, as it requires special sanding machines and installation skills.

To give the finished look to the laid parquet, it is sanded. The baseboards are installed and the coating is coated with varnish or oil. Parquet scraping followed by sanding occurs in several stages using machines equipped with various attachments. For example, rough processing is used to eliminate differences between adjacent parquet boards, as well as to remove dirt. After this, polishing is carried out, as well as processing hard to reach places, in particular under the elements of the heating system, etc.

The varnished and painted baseboard is nailed to the walls after giving them their final look: wallpapering, painting, paneling. Skirting boards are nailed with special nails, which are driven and hidden in wooden plugs.

The last stage will be finishing the parquet. This can be varnished or oiled. This layer not only gives the floor an attractive appearance, it reliably protects it from moisture, household pollution and other influences that lead to accelerated wear of the parquet. Can't be washed without varnish or oil parquet boards, but after coating they are easily removed damp cloth excess dirt and dust.

When working with parquet, it is necessary to use protective equipment such as masks and a respirator, and the doors and windows in the room must be open to effectively ventilate harmful fumes. It is necessary to wait between varnishing operations.

As soon as the first layer has dried, the surface is thoroughly cleaned sandpaper. Dust must be collected with a vacuum cleaner and dry rags, after which a secondary varnish coating occurs. After it dries, the product is applied a third time and then last time.

During use, the varnish layer gradually wears away and becomes covered with cracks and scratches. Therefore, it must be restored every few years. It is enough to cover the most worn areas of the parquet with oil, but in the case of varnish, sanding may be necessary to remove dirt and remnants of the previous varnish.

How to insulate a floor with expanded clay - watch the video:

Despite the fact that expanded clay began to be widely used for insulating buildings several decades ago, it is still one of the most popular materials today. This is due to the fact that in many qualities it is ready to compete even with high-tech modern heat insulators. In a word, according to standards and regulations, it is quite worthy to be used for various types of premises.

The popularity of creating environmentally friendly buildings in a forest or remote area from the city is growing every year.

To achieve this, all owners strive to use appropriate materials both for organizing the structure itself and for interior decoration in the premises.

The most famous green building option is a wooden house. Questions often arise about how and with what to insulate the floor in a given building, since many materials are not environmentally friendly. One of the options to solve the problem is to insulate the floor with expanded clay in wooden house.

Insulation of the floor of a wooden house, insulation options

Wood is a material that holds heat well. Designs only wooden houses are carried out in such a way that supporting elements the flooring is made of wooden logs, which are located at a distance of 40-80 cm from each other.

These elements are made from edged boards with dimensions of 50 x 150 mm and 50 x 200 mm.

They are laid on the initial level of the building, the piping of which is bars 150 x 150 cm or 150 x 100 cm, connected to each other “overlay”. The harness rests on the foundation.

It is the foundation that determines how to construct the subfloor.

The subfloor in a wooden house is often mounted on joists

For the construction of wooden houses, 3 foundation options are most often used:

monolith;
strip foundation;
piles.

Each of the listed types has its own characteristics and recommendations for use in certain conditions. If a wooden house is placed on a monolithic foundation, then the rough flooring will be concrete itself, but if on a pile or strip, then the subfloor will be made of wooden planks, which are hemmed from the bottom of the lag.

To prevent cold air from entering the building through the floor, it is recommended to insulate it. The insulation is laid on the subfloor, which is covered in advance with a waterproofing film.

Today, the range of insulation materials that are suitable for use in wooden houses is quite diverse.

For floor insulation the following is used:

products based on mineral and basalt wool;
glass wool;
foam;
expanded polystyrene;
expanded clay

Each material used for insulation has certain thermal conductivity indicators. The same insulation (its type) can be produced with different thermal conductivity and density.

Expanded clay as insulation for floors in a wooden house, its properties

Expanded clay is an environmentally friendly material

Expanded clay is considered a natural and environmentally friendly material, which is widely used in construction work for various purposes.

Many professionals consider expanded clay to be the first insulation material that has excellent thermal insulation and sound absorption properties.

This material is also used for the production of building blocks, as well as for organizing screeds and rough floor surfaces.

Before filling the material, line each cell with waterproofing material.

Before organizing the dry method of insulating a wooden house using expanded clay, it is necessary to treat the rough ceiling (if it is made of wood) with an anti-insect and mold remedy, only after this should a waterproofing membrane be laid.

It is better to lay the film in each cell (the spaces between the lags) separately. If it is not possible to purchase modern waterproofing material, you can fully replace it with roofing felt.

The poured granules must be compacted

After the waterproofing on the flooring has been installed, you should proceed to filling the gaps with expanded clay.

When pouring insulation into the cells between the joists, you should simultaneously distribute it so that there are no unfilled areas, while lightly compacting the material. The level of the filled expanded clay should coincide with the top of the support logs.

To organize floor insulation in wooden houses, experts advise using this building material of a fine fraction so that the individual granules fit as tightly as possible to each other, thereby creating a greater density of the insulated cover.

You can lay expanded clay directly in bags

Some builders use expanded clay, filled into plastic bags, to insulate the flooring of houses.

In this case, the bags are selected in large sizes and the material is not completely poured into it, leaving the possibility of uniform distribution during installation.

Installing a layer of insulation using expanded clay in bags allows you to avoid debris and dust, and also promotes uniform use of all the material.

The thickness of the expanded clay layer is limited by the height of the logs. For a certain region of the country, experts recommend an individual layer of expanded clay for floor insulation.

Insulation of the floor with expanded clay using a “wet” screed

Wet screed based on expanded clay is used as insulation, leveling cover and rough flooring, on which the finishing coating is already laid.

It is recommended to lay roofing material under expanded clay

Before laying the screed, over the entire surface monolithic foundation It is worth rolling out the roofing material, and its edges should extend onto the walls (up) by 10-15 cm. The screed - insulation should not come into contact with the frame of the house.

The proportions of the solution for organizing the coating are as follows: for 1 kg of cement there are 4 kg of expanded clay and 3 kg of sand. Water is added to the composition during mixing at the discretion of the builders. For more information about floor insulation with granules, watch this video:

When organizing both wet and dry screeds, it is necessary to calculate in advance the amount of expanded clay for flooring a certain area.

To do this, you need to know: the area of the room, the thickness of the insulation layer and the weight of 1 m3 of material. To correctly create a solution for a wet insulating screed based on expanded clay, you can use the examples of material ratios given in the table.

Expanded clay is a universal building material that does not lose its popularity and competes well with other types of insulation. Thermal insulation and noise absorption are the most important properties of expanded clay, which it does not lose even after many years of use.

Insulating the floor with expanded clay is not at all difficult, even in the absence of…

Thermal insulation of the floor using expanded clay allows you not only to reliably protect your home from the cold, but also to significantly save on materials. This insulation is one of the most affordable and easy to use, and if installed correctly, it is also very durable. It is not at all difficult to insulate a floor with expanded clay even if you have no experience; the main thing is to carefully study the technology.

Expanded clay is a loose insulation material; it consists of oval and round granules with a porous structure. It is obtained by firing clay of low-melting types, due to which the material acquires high deterioration with low weight.

Expanded clay of three fractions is used in construction:

A 10-centimeter layer of expanded clay has thermal insulation properties equal to brickwork 1 m thick or wooden covering 25 cm thick. Other advantages of expanded clay:

The disadvantage of expanded clay is its hygroscopicity; granules, saturated with moisture, retain it inside for a long time and almost completely lose their properties. Damp insulation sags unevenly and contributes to the deformation of the floor covering. To prevent this from happening, when using expanded clay, be sure to install reliable waterproofing.

Methods of insulation with expanded clay

In construction, 3 methods of laying expanded clay are used - dry, wet and combined. To choose the right option, you should first familiarize yourself with each in detail.

With the dry method of thermal insulation, the material is simply poured between the joists or beacons, and a subfloor is mounted on top - boards, chipboard, plywood. To protect against moisture, the base under the insulation must be covered with waterproofing material. To increase the density of the thermal insulation layer, it is recommended to take expanded clay from different fractions and mix it before backfilling. This insulation is done very quickly and does not require much effort.

Wet styling

When insulating using this method, expanded clay is mixed with liquid concrete and fill the space between the beacons. This option is excellent for floors with large differences in height, where a thick leveling screed is required. Due to the lightness of expanded clay, the load on the base is significantly reduced; The screed itself dries faster and does not crack as much. Choosing wet method, it should be taken into account that the thermal conductivity of the material increases sharply, which means that its efficiency will be much less than with dry installation.

With combined insulation, dry expanded clay is poured between the beacons, leveled, then the top layer is spilled with a liquid cement solution and, after drying, a standard screed is made. Cement mortar makes it possible to strengthen the expanded clay layer and avoid its deformation when pouring the screed. Additionally, reinforcing mesh is used if a large load on the floor is expected during operation.

For insulation you will need:

nail puller;
hacksaw or jigsaw;
roulette;
marker or pencil;
building level;
shovel;
hammer;
electric drill;
self-tapping screws;
sand;
waterproofing film or coating materials;
damper tape.

An arrangement option is being considered wooden floor on a concrete base.

Step 1. Dismantling the coating

The floor boards are removed and taken out of the room; The logs are carefully inspected and level checked.

Checking the logs and partially replacing rotten ones

If the beams are in good condition and do not have sagging or other deformations, they are left in place. In case of minor damage, individual beams are replaced, and if the logs are very old, loose and rotten, everything is removed down to the concrete base.

Step 2. Surface preparation

The floor is cleared of debris, small cracks are repaired, and corners are inspected.

Deep cracks in the corners are covered with mortar or blown with foam.

The joints around the perimeter of the floor and walls are also foamed. The surface is covered with a layer of sand, which is compacted well. When using coating waterproofing, sand is not needed.

Step 3. Waterproofing

Polyethylene or a special membrane is spread on the floor so that the edges of the material cover the perimeter walls by 7-10 cm; in this case, the logs also end up under the film. If the whole canvas is missing, pieces of film are laid overlapping and the joints are secured with construction tape. On the beams, the waterproofing must be fixed with a stapler, carefully distributing the film in the recesses between the joists.

When using coating waterproofing, the mixture is applied to dust-free concrete paint brush or with a roller, gripping the walls to a height of 15-20 cm. In this case, the logs are installed on top of the protective layer. Suitable for coating bitumen mastic, liquid rubber, bitumen-polymer mixtures and cement-polymer based mastics. The composition should be applied in 2-3 layers; Each layer takes about 3 hours to dry, so waterproofing will take time. Finally, a damper tape is fixed along the perimeter of the walls at the height of the subfloor, which will help avoid deformation and cracking of the screed during temperature changes.

Step 4. Installing the slats

So, if the logs have been completely dismantled, new ones must be installed. To do this, take strong wooden slats or beams, cut them to the size of the floor, prime them with an antiseptic solution and dry them. Height wooden frame for the floor there should be a minimum of 10 cm. The outermost slats are attached at a distance of 2-3 cm from the surface of the walls, between the rest there is a gap of 0.5 to 1 meter. Each rail must be level and parallel to the others so that no part protrudes from the horizontal plane.

The slats are screwed to the floor with screws using metal corner plates, one side of which is adjacent to the wood, the other to the base of the floor. The outermost fasteners are placed 2-3 cm from the ends of the slats, all subsequent fasteners are placed in increments of 50 cm.

Step 5. Filling with expanded clay

Mix large and small expanded clay and then pour it between the joists or guide rails. In the corners, the insulation is carefully straightened with your hands so that there are no voids left. Having filled the entire space, the expanded clay layer is carefully compacted, trying not to damage the granules. Waterproofing is laid on top and secured with a stapler.

Step 6. Installation of flooring

A subfloor made of plywood, chipboard or boards is placed on the beams protruding from the insulation, and then the finishing coating is laid. The film protruding along the perimeter is cut off with a knife, and the joints are covered with plinths.

If under the floor instead concrete base the soil is located, the insulation technology is performed slightly differently:

the soil is leveled and compacted;
pour a layer of gravel about 10 cm;
then add a layer of sand and compact it well;
the next layer is expanded clay, its thickness is from 15 to 25 cm;
After leveling and compaction, the wooden floor is installed.

Insulation under a concrete base

When insulating a floor under a screed, preparation of the base is carried out as standard: the old covering is dismantled, the cracks are sealed, and the surface is cleaned of dust. Then the base is covered with liquid waterproofing or covered with film.

The joints around the perimeter of the floor must be closed, so the film is placed on the walls. The damper tape is attached last at the level of the future screed. Now you can start insulating.

Step 1. Installation of beacons

Beacons must be metal, it is best to use aluminum slats T-shape. Mix a little cement or gypsum mortar to fix the beacons, take the first strip and lay it under the wall opposite the doorway on the mortar. Be sure to check the location of the guide with a level and, if necessary, press it into the solution or, conversely, lift it. The height of the beacons should not exceed 10 cm, and the distance between them should be from 0.5 to 1 m.

Step 2. Backfilling insulation

A mixture of expanded clay of different fractions is used to fill the space between the beacons and level it with a rule or a piece of plywood. Particular care should be taken to fill corners and joints where voids may form. After this, the expanded clay is carefully compacted so as not to damage the granules.

Step 3. Reinforcement

Placed on insulation metal mesh with large cells, leaving 4-5 cm indentations from the walls around the entire perimeter. The mesh should not have any dents or bulges or protruding sharp edges.

Step 4. Making the screed

For the screed, take 3 parts of sifted sand and 1 part of cement, mix thoroughly with water to a uniform thick consistency and pour in portions onto the floor between the guides. Level the screed using a long rule, running along the beacons and removing excess mortar. Now you need to wait for the concrete to dry completely and you can lay the floor.

Expanded clay concrete screed

If the rough foundation is too uneven or it is necessary to significantly raise the floor level, a expanded clay concrete screed is used. First, the surface is cleared and cleaned of dust, cracks and joints are foamed, and waterproofing is installed. After this, the main process begins:

It takes at least 3 weeks to dry, but it is better to wait a month. During the first days, the surface of the screed is periodically watered to prevent cracks from appearing. This base is quite durable and warm, and lasts a long time.

Advantages of expanded clay	Disadvantages of expanded clay
Good thermal conductivity of expanded clay - grade 500 has a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.12-0.15 W/m*K	You have to fill in a thick layer of expanded clay - more than 50 cm, because... otherwise noise and heat insulation will be poor
The weight of expanded clay is only from 250 kg/m3 versus 2500 kg/m3 of concrete	It is an absolutely moisture-resistant material; it is recommended to use either waterproofing film, or do not use expanded clay at all
With its help, the service life wooden floors extends to 50 years
Resistance to chemically aggressive environments
Environmental friendliness
Relatively low cost

Video - Floor insulation with expanded clay

How to properly insulate a floor with expanded clay?

About expanded clay and its properties

Description of insulation technology

Wanting to insulate the floor in a private house using concrete floor insulation, people quite often give preference to expanded clay. This technology is extremely simple - for which it is appreciated by those who want to get the job done with my own hands without resorting to paid services specialists.

However, despite its simplicity, expanded clay insulation is very effective and durable. It is not surprising that this material is still in demand, despite the emergence of a number of modern heat insulators.

1 Why insulate the floor?

When the goal of thermal insulation work is the highest possible quality of the result, you should pay attention to the insulation of all parts of the structure - that is, not only the walls. Insulation of the floor and ceiling of the house - no less important nuances, without which the indoor microclimate will still be far from ideal.

If the issue of insulating the ceiling with vapor barrier Izospan V is even more or less clear (so that warm air did not leave the room - since it will rise up), the need for floor insulation is often forgotten, considering it unimportant.

As a result, walking on the surface after completion finishing works It won't be very pleasant because of the cold. Moreover, in the room itself the temperature can be normal and comfortable, but walking barefoot on the floor is already cool.

Most often, the reason for this is an uninsulated basement. The cold and moisture reigning in it lead to the fact that the overlap between basement and rooms on the first floor. As a result, the floor surface in the living area will be cold, and this will not be affected in any way by the insulation of the walls or ceiling.

2 About the use of expanded clay as insulation (video)

3 About expanded clay and its properties

Bulk materials began to be used for insulating houses more than a decade ago - much earlier than foam plastic and mineral wool. Of course, initially it was not expanded clay, but sawdust, sand and clay.

This material, like infrared heated floors under tiles, began to be widely used as an insulator about several decades ago. It gained popularity very quickly, and has not lost it to this day (while the once popular polystyrene foam and mineral wool are gradually losing demand, giving way to more convenient analogues).

Expanded clay itself is small pebbles that have a rounded shape. For its production, clay and shale-containing rocks are used, processed in a special way: under the influence of high temperatures (over +1000 degrees) and centrifugal force.

The raw material rotates quickly in a large, hot oven, forming into small granules of varying diameters and being “baked.”

Expanded clay insulation is most often used for the floor, as well as for the ceiling (on the side attic space) . Less commonly, the material is used for filling into voids between partitions - that is, for insulating walls.

4 About the pros and cons of the material and technology

Let's consider why insulation of the floor (and other parts of the house) with expanded clay is so valued and why it is so popular. The list of advantages of the material is as follows:

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10 “Dry” screed

One of the most popular modern options. It differs from a regular (“wet”) screed in its simplicity and speed - you don’t need to prepare the solution, nor level it, nor pour anything in, nor wait for it to harden - everything is ten times simpler.

In essence, the technology is the same as when laying boards on joists, only instead of boards, gypsum fiber boards (GVL) are used. The advantage of this technology is not only its simplicity, but also the fact that the result is a perfectly smooth and even floor, ready for finishing. And if necessary, the coating can be easily dismantled (unlike a “wet” screed, which would have to be broken).

Wooden construction is mainly country houses. Moreover, how new construction, and those that were built long ago as summer cottages. Today these buildings are increasingly used for year-round residence. Therefore, the issue of insulating all parts of the house becomes urgent.

The floor in wooden buildings is one of the coldest parts of the entire structure. According to various estimates, up to 20% is lost through the floors in wooden houses. internal heat indoors. It makes sense not only to design good insulation when building a new house, but also take care of redoing the floor in an already built one, but without insulating the floor. Moreover, usually a residential wooden house is installed on a relatively high foundation. And this allows you to carry out insulation from below, without changing the level of the finished floor and without reducing the height of the room.

Floor insulation

During the construction of outbuildings wooden buildings floors can be located close to the ground or even laid directly on the ground. In this case, an insulating layer is still necessary, but it will have to be laid deep into the ground.

Any insulation of wooden floors must be carried out in compliance with the following rules:

Mandatory installation of waterproofing in two layers. The bottom layer protects the insulation from moisture from the ground. The top layer protects against water penetration through the finished floor boards.
Roughing and finishing wooden elements floors are treated with special anti-rotting agents.
For insulation, a material is selected that does not change its properties when in contact with wood.

Despite the recent emergence of modern insulation materials, insulation of wooden floors with expanded clay still finds its application. And there are reasons for this.

Expanded clay: pros and cons

Insulating expanded clay - granules made by foaming and subsequent firing of clay.

Scheme for the production of expanded clay granules

It has a number of advantages when used as thermal insulation.

Advantages:

Low thermal conductivity. The clay itself from which it is made is considered a good heat insulator. And the pores created inside, filled with air, further reduce thermal conductivity. As a heat insulator, it is several times more effective than clay bricks and twice as effective as wood.
Light weight. Increasing the thickness of the expanded clay layer does not lead to a significant load on the floors.
Cheapness. Despite the fact that it is inferior in thermal conductivity to many modern material, its use allows you to save money, losing slightly in the quality of insulation.
Fire safety. This material not only does not burn, but also does not emit any toxic substances when heated strongly.
Resistance to temperature changes. Thermal insulating properties do not change in heat or cold.
Resistant to household chemicals and humidity. Even when wet, mold does not form on it.
Completely environmentally friendly. Made from natural material, it is not completely harmless.
In addition to thermal insulation properties, it is also a good sound insulator.
Convenient to use. To work with it, you do not need to have special skills, and no special tools or equipment are required. The fact that expanded clay is a bulk material eliminates any requirements for maintaining exact dimensions when laying.
Long term of use. It is believed that it retains its properties for decades.

Flaws

Expanded clay also has disadvantages. But their list is incomparable with their advantages:

Large volume of heat-insulating layer. To create high-quality thermal insulation, the thickness of the expanded clay cushion must be at least 10 cm. But in practice, the expanded clay layer is usually 20–30 cm, rarely 40 cm. In some wooden floor designs, such insulation leads to a decrease in the space between the floor and the ceiling.
Low moisture resistance. When a large amount of water hits it, it absorbs it. This leads to an increase in the weight of the thermal insulation. Over time, moisture will evaporate from expanded clay granules, but this is a long process.
Laying expanded clay, despite its simplicity, is a tedious task. Spreading a thick layer, leveling with obligatory care so as not to destroy the shell of the granules - all this takes a lot of time.

Varieties of expanded clay

The quality of expanded clay as insulation also depends on the options for its production. Depending on the size, there are three main groups of expanded clay granules. And although for each group there are recommendations for its use, they usually use a mixture of granules of different sizes in one layer.

Expanded clay fractions

Crushed stone – granules with a diameter of 20 to 40 mm. Recommended for backfilling the main layer of thermal insulation.
Gravel - from 10 to 20 mm. Used to create thin layers.
Sand is the smallest granules with a diameter of 5 – 10 mm. Suitable for insulating small voids in floor structures. When mixed with large fractions, it allows you to fill the gaps between granules. Used to create a “wet” concrete heat-insulating screed.

In addition to size, expanded clay insulation varies in density. Industrially produced expanded clay is divided into several categories with a density from 200 to 800 kg/cub.m.

Methods for creating heat-insulating layers from expanded clay

In general, the device of expanded clay insulation differs little from the use of other materials. Expanded clay is located under the finished floor using moisture-proof materials.

Insulation with expanded clay, general principle

Depending on the location of the insulated floor (on joists laid on the foundation, on the ground or on a concrete base), the technology by which expanded clay is laid under a wooden floor also differs.

Backfill between joists

This is the easiest way to lay an expanded clay pillow. In this case, wooden logs serve as the base for the floor. If they are on a foundation, then panels or subfloor boards are attached to them. They can be tacked to the joists from below or attached to bars nailed to the joists from the side. The use of lightweight expanded clay is an advantage - the load on the subfloor is small.

The next steps are:

It is recommended to treat the logs and subfloor boards themselves with anti-rotting agents. This is especially necessary when creating new insulation in a long-built house.
The space between the joists is lined with a waterproofing film. As a substitute, you can choose polyethylene or roofing felt. If transverse bars are installed between the joists, then each cell is covered separately.
Expanded clay granules are poured into the prepared spaces between the joists. It is recommended to mix large and small fractions of expanded clay to completely fill the volume.
After backfilling, the expanded clay layer is leveled along the upper edges of the logs. The logs act not only as a support, but also as an indicator of the level of insulation backfill.
It is advisable to compact the leveled layer of expanded clay slightly. When tamping, you must not damage the granules, since they will absorb moisture through the cracks.

Expanded clay poured onto a wooden subfloor along the joists

Installation of the floor along the joists can also be carried out on a concrete base as a subfloor. The technology for filling expanded clay in this case is no different.

Filling expanded clay along joists on a concrete base

Backfilling expanded clay for a wooden floor on the ground

Such floors can be installed in utility rooms or garages. But the expanded clay pillow is not laid directly on the ground. The procedure is as follows:

The top layer of soil is removed.
A layer of gravel is poured. It will perform the function of waterproofing, protecting the expanded clay from moisture from the ground.
The gravel is covered with sand, which must be compacted thoroughly.
A protective film is laid over the sand.
The insulating layer of expanded clay is poured onto a sand cushion, leveled and lightly compacted.
Further installation of the floor depends on the wishes of the builder. You can lay the floor directly on top of the expanded clay, or you can fill the expanded clay layer with concrete, forming a “wet” screed. Or you can use a layer of expanded clay as rough insulation, creating another insulating level above it, on top of which to lay the finishing floor.

Expanded clay bedding as a subfloor on the ground

Concrete screed using expanded clay

If you plan to install a concrete base under the floorboards, then you can insulate such a floor by “building” expanded clay into the concrete screed:

The base prepared for the screed is covered with waterproofing.
The entire surface is covered with expanded clay. Small fractions are predominantly used.
The expanded clay layer is leveled and compacted.
For greater reliability, a reinforcing mesh is placed on top of the expanded clay.
The last stage is pouring concrete.

Concrete screed on expanded clay cushion

Dry expanded clay screed

This method of flooring has become known recently. The preparatory part depends on the base on which it is planned to install the screed - on the ground, on the rough wooden floor or on a concrete slab.

The base is covered protective film, onto which expanded clay is poured. After leveling the expanded clay cushion, it is covered with sheets of plywood or gypsum fiber. Fastening the sheets with glue or self-tapping screws.

Scheme of dry screed with insulation

Final work

Any option for installing an expanded clay insulating layer means completing the rough stage of flooring. The insulating layer must be covered with a hydro- or vapor barrier material. And on top of this insulation made of plywood or other sheet material, a substrate corresponding to the selected floor covering is fixed.

With the flooring option on joists, the finished wooden floor can be installed directly on them, without creating a separate substrate.