5 life hacks for house insulation in ancient Russia that really worked

  • Aug 19, 2021
In the conditions of a temperate climatic zone, the problem of insulation of residential premises has always been. And if today we can take advantage of the benefits of scientific and technological progress, then our ancestors had to show real miracles of ingenuity and knowledge of the world around them, so that their homes were warm. Moreover, seemingly completely unexpected techniques were used: from the features of the layout to... moss and snow. Here are five life hacks for home insulation in Ancient Russia that really worked.
In the conditions of a temperate climatic zone, the problem of insulation of residential premises has always been. And if today we can take advantage of the benefits of scientific and technological progress, then our ancestors had to show real miracles of ingenuity and knowledge of the world around them, so that their homes were warm. Moreover, seemingly completely unexpected techniques were used: from the features of the layout to... moss and snow. Here are five life hacks for home insulation in Ancient Russia that really worked.
In the conditions of a temperate climatic zone, the problem of insulation of residential premises has always been. And if today we can take advantage of the benefits of scientific and technological progress, then our ancestors had to show real miracles of ingenuity and knowledge of the world around them, so that their homes were warm. Moreover, seemingly completely unexpected techniques were used: from the features of the layout to... moss and snow. Here are five life hacks for home insulation in Ancient Russia that really worked.
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1. The correct arrangement of the house of the rooms

The layout of the house in terms of insulation was paramount. / Photo: batheouse.ru
The layout of the house in terms of insulation was paramount. / Photo: batheouse.ru
The layout of the house in terms of insulation was paramount. / Photo: batheouse.ru

Oddly enough, but this rule is one of the most important. Therefore, always before the start of direct construction, the location of the future dwelling was carefully examined. Moreover, even the wind rose could affect the features of the construction. However, the layout of the house itself was carefully calculated. So, for example, they tried to direct windows and doors to the south side so that the sun's rays would warm up the rooms for as long as possible. But the legendary Russian stove was laid on the contrary - in the coldest part of the house. This made it easier to maintain the optimum temperature.

Interesting fact: it turns out that even... animals were used to insulate the house. So, they tried to place sleeping rooms in an adjacent position with a room for animals - of course, in those days when it was also was part of the house itself - and the warm vapors of the living creatures raised the temperature not only inside the barnyard itself, but also the owner's housing.

2. Insulation of walls from the facade of the house

Warming with moss is so high quality that it is still used today. / Photo: glavstroy365.ru
Warming with moss is so high quality that it is still used today. / Photo: glavstroy365.ru

The traditional type of house in Russia was a wooden hut. However, the builders were not limited to one material. So, before sheathing the house with logs, the blockhouse was pre-insulated by lubricating the latter with a special adobe mixture, which includes clay and sand in certain proportions. This organic putty, however, perfectly protected the interior from moisture and wind, and it was capable of serving for more than half a century.

Another environmentally friendly and at the same time effective method of insulation, which was used even before the adobe mixture and is still used today, was moss - it is laid between the logs. Sometimes moss was replaced by hay, but it was inferior to the latter in terms of protective functions. In principle, this method really was not able to protect the house from excessive moisture - this process was prevented by other methods, but its thermal insulation properties were of very high quality.

3. Wall insulation from the inside

Carpets on the walls, it turns out, were not just hung up. / Photo: talci-irkutsk.ru
Carpets on the walls, it turns out, were not just hung up. / Photo: talci-irkutsk.ru

Who would have thought that the hanging carpet on the wall is an echo of the ancient way of insulating houses. But this is really so: in the days of Russia and even earlier, the premises were hung with carpets, animal skins or just scraps of fabric, using them as insulation for the inner part of the wall. Moreover, the same technique was used for floors, and the gaps between the elements of the log house were additionally plugged with straw and or pieces of fabric. Centuries later, another method began to be applied. It is about the use of wood and murals.

4. Ceiling insulation

The roof hayloft was positioned with a clear purpose. / Photo: liveangarsk.ru
The roof hayloft was positioned with a clear purpose. / Photo: liveangarsk.ru

The ceiling also required special insulation measures. Thus, ancient Russian builders used the attic as a storehouse for straw and hay, which served as bedding or fodder for livestock. The even distribution of dried grass under the roof not only allowed it to be stored for a longer period, but also protected from unfavorable weather conditions, in particular, from drafts, which could significantly affect the temperature of the internal premises.

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5. Applying snow

In winter, snow helped to keep warm. / Photo: ratobor.com
In winter, snow helped to keep warm. / Photo: ratobor.com

Another great way to insulate ancient Russian dwellings, which, however, was very temporary, turned out to be snow. It has been known since time immemorial that frozen water falling from the sky is an excellent heat insulator, and our ancestors successfully used this property. So, the snow was never removed from the roofs of houses, thus protecting the latter from strong winds and excessive moisture. Additionally, the walls of the dwelling were specially thrown with snowdrifts, which isolated them from the chilly winter drafts.

In addition to the topic:
8 striking examples of traditional homes that can be found on the planet
Source:
https://novate.ru/blogs/050321/58073/

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