How to insulate an apartment or house: choose the least expensive ways

House insulation

It is not easy for owners of city apartments to provide a favorable microclimate in their living space. Much depends on the actions of the management company, as well as the condition of the house itself. But if you approach the problem seriously, you can achieve a lot. For example, make the walls warmer.

Cold walls are a typical phenomenon for high-rise buildings. Residents of five-story panel buildings built more than half a century ago are especially affected by the cold. However, even in relatively new apartment buildings, problems often arise with the thermal insulation of the outer walls. In this regard, corner rooms are the most vulnerable. Not only do they “look” at the street from two sides, they also often have a cold corner. If the house was built without taking into account modern requirements for maintaining heat, then in winter, even with a working heating system, it can be cool in apartments. We also note that in rooms adjacent to elevator shafts, it is especially uncomfortable.

The problem of insulation in a private house is solved simply. For example, exterior walls can be lined with mineral wool or foam boards. There are two types of insulation systems – plaster and hinged – better known as a ventilated facade. The same technologies are used to insulate apartment buildings from the outside by management companies. But the owners of apartments such methods are not within the power. So, you need to take matters into your own hands, that is, insulate the walls from the inside.

Insulation from the inside

If you use standard heat-insulating products in an apartment, you will have to attach wooden or metal racks to the walls, fill the frame with basalt or glass wool slabs, and sheathe it with drywall.

As a result, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room is noticeably reduced, by at least 8-10 cm from each insulated wall, and in standard apartments every millimeter counts. In this situation, it makes sense to think about using a special heat-insulating plaster. To insulate the walls with “warm” plaster, you will have to completely free the walls from the finish, but the result will justify all efforts. The thickness of the walls will hardly increase, the plaster forms a single whole with the base surface. As a result, the insulation will lie flat, without inclusions and voids.

Heat-insulating plaster is a dry building mixture, which includes cement, a complex of polymer additives and a porous filler. They not only insulate and level the walls, but also improve the acoustics in the room. In other words, the room will become not only warmer, but also quieter. Some compounds inhibit the vital activity of microorganisms – fungi, mold. Plasters have good vapor permeability, which means they contribute to air exchange in the thickness of the walls. That is, such a finish in many respects has a positive effect on the microclimate in the apartment.

Heat-insulating plasters can be used without resorting to a global renovation of the premises, that is, partially, for processing the so-called “cold bridges” – areas with reduced resistance to heat transfer.

They can process corners, window slopes, seal holes under pipes, panel seams, junction areas of balcony slabs and, in general, all places where it can blow. Thus, the risk of freezing of the walls will be eliminated. In addition, these plaster mixtures are excellent for warming unheated premises, in particular, loggias.

Working with plaster

The surface must be hard and clean. Loose areas are strengthened with a deep penetration primer, old paint is removed or treated with stiff brushes.

Pour water at room temperature into a clean container, gradually pour out the dry mixture. At the same time, observe the proportions indicated on the package. The solution is kneaded for about 5-7 minutes with a construction mixer or a special electric drill. Wait 5-10 minutes to allow active additives to react, then mixing is resumed. The prepared solution is thrown on with a spatula, then the mass is leveled, focusing on the “beacons” attached to the wall. When the plaster hardens and dries, the “lighthouses” are cut out with a “grinder”. The resulting channels are filled with gypsum and leveled.

Warm floor

Residents of the first floors often have to suffer not only from cold walls, but also from the icy floor. The cable heating system “warm floor” solves the problem only partially – heating the entire apartment with electricity is too expensive. In addition, in old houses there is not enough allocated power to power a large-area heating pad. Usually “warm floors” are installed in the kitchen, bathroom and hallway. In rooms, you can increase the degree of floor heat due to the “warm” screed – dry building mixtures with crushed expanded clay or expanded polystyrene granules. Such materials allow laying screeds with high sound and heat insulation performance.

If you do not intend to change the floor, it is easy and simple to insulate it without laborious work. A well-chosen carpet will not only help keep the house warm, but also make the room more beautiful and comfortable. For warming floors or walls, it is better to choose products made from natural wool. Wool carpet is the best insulation. In addition, wool acts as a humidity regulator in a room by absorbing or releasing moisture. Choose a carpet size that covers as much area as possible. Thus, you can keep the heat as much as possible.

A carpet with a long fluffy pile, such as “shaggy”, has excellent thermal insulation properties. Modern manufacturers use both natural and synthetic materials for the manufacture of such carpets. Wool is more durable, and synthetic fibers are much more pleasant to the touch.

To insulate the floor in the hallway or corridor, use carpets. Today, there are many high-quality walkways made from natural materials and synthetic fibers in stores.

With the onset of the warm season, you can clean carpets and runners until next fall.

Window insulation

Insulation and airtightness are key to helping keep our homes warm in cold weather and cool in summer. However, while some measures are relatively cheap, others can cost thousands of dollars. Replacing windows with more energy efficient ones can be very costly. Thus, other ways to keep warm need to be found, especially for those with old wood or single glazing windows. Here are some of those ways.

Sealing seals

Sealing seals or sealing gaskets are a quick and inexpensive way to insulate windows. One of the most common types of protection are self-adhesive foam strips, which are available on rolls. They are usually ready to be cut to length and cover any gaps in and around windows to prevent cold drafts.

Application of sealant

Sealant is the best friend of home craftsmen, as well as a particularly effective way to insulate windows. Use it to seal gaps between the window frame and the wall, as well as all joints in and around the frame. Before you begin, scrape off any loose old paint or sealant, then use a caulk gun to carefully apply new silicone sealant.

window film

Window film is a good way to insulate as it is cheap to buy and easy to install. Window film is made from plastic and is often sold in kits that include everything you need to apply it, including tape.

You need to make sure your window is clean before you measure it and cut the film to size. The manufacturer’s instructions usually state that a slight allowance should be left around the edges. The tape is then glued around the frame so that the film adheres to it. Once you are sure that there are no wrinkles in the film, you need to shrink it for a snug fit – this can be done with a hair dryer. Window film is easy to remove, but be aware that it can sometimes pick up paint, especially from old wood frames.

double glazing

This method will help those who have single glazing. Although replacing single glazing with double glazing is not suitable for every type of frame, sometimes it is easier to replace windows completely. In addition to keeping the room warm, double glazing can also prevent overheating in the summer. However, before you rush to replace your windows with double glazing, pay attention to drafts and other sources of heat loss – otherwise your costs simply won’t be worth it.

Additional glazing

Supplementary glazing is a popular way to insulate windows among those who live in listed buildings and old homes where new windows may not be acceptable. It is much cheaper than installing double-glazed windows. When installing additional glazing, existing windows and glass remain in place, just another panel of glass or plexiglass is installed inside. This enhances sound insulation, reduces the chance of condensation, and can improve safety.

Supplementary glazing comes in different shapes, with PVC, aluminum or wood frames. Systems can be temporary or permanent, and can slide or open like a normal casement window.

Thermal curtains and blinds

Thermal curtains and blinds are one of the best ways to insulate windows, as long as you buy good quality products. Air curtains are made of at least three layers of material, which together regulate the temperature in the room. Thermal blinds are also available. They usually have tiny pockets in the form of honeycombs or something similar that trap air, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Thermal pads

Thermal pads are a simple and easy way to stop annoying drafts and keep your home warm. Small, long tubular pillows can be ordered or sewn on your own. They can be placed on the windowsill to close the gaps around the window frame. You can also use these door cushions by placing them underneath.

Bubble wrap

It’s not a solution that everyone will like, but it’s effective nonetheless. A simple wrapping film with bubbles perfectly helps to keep the heat indoors. It is necessary to take measurements and cut the film in accordance with them, then moisten the glass with a spray gun and stick such a film with the bubble side to the glass. The film can be easily removed and leaves no residue.

Low-e glazing

Low-e glass has a special coating that contributes to its high energy efficiency. It absorbs the thermal energy generated by heating systems and prevents heat loss. Such glass transmits light in both directions, but absorbs and reflects heat rays, and from two sides: indoors in winter, outdoors in summer.

However, the installation of this glazing usually requires new windows, which implies significant costs. An alternative is low-e window film, which is bonded directly to the glass. But for large windows, gluing it can be problematic, and the film can also produce a tinting effect.

Advice

Andrey Voronin, repairman:

– Cracks and crevices around window frames are a clear escape point for warm air. To check for “weak spots” in the window, run your palm along the edge of the frame. If you feel cold, there is a hole. Seal weak spots with putty or sealant.

Most apartments have gaps between the baseboard and the floor, and if you have boards on your floor, there are probably a lot of gaps between them too. This is a job for silicone sealant. If you have a wooden floor, and you want to thoroughly insulate it, it is better to contact specialists. But just laying down a carpet would be fine too.

If your home has a “cold wall”, usually a concrete wall with no or poor insulation, you can attach a drywall wall to it. It is possible to do this even with your own hands by reading the appropriate instructions.

In general, in order to insulate your house without investing, you just need to analyze how many places there are in it from where cold air can penetrate from the street. And then just close them or close them up.