Bathhouse is a traditional Russian place in which a person is not only steamed, but also heals, while gathering his thoughts. The unique properties of superheated steam allow you to clean all the pores of the body better than any soul. The bath should be properly built to maximize the heat of the stove. If during the construction process the features of heat conservation were not taken into account, it is never too late to fix them yourself.
What materials are best to insulate the bath and why
Thermal insulation of the bath is carried out in two stages, including finishing the inner and outer sides. The installation of external coatings is a standard facade work and is carried out in accordance with the general building rules. External coatings slightly affect the properties of the steam room.
High-quality insulation inside the room is the main factor affecting the maintenance of temperature in the bath. Insulating walls prevent the consumption of heat for heating walls and ceilings. The materials that are used for internal thermal insulation are divided into groups:
- organic heaters - mainly waste from the woodworking industry and peat processing products. This group also includes materials on an organic basis, having an inorganic binder (arbolite, fibrolite, etc.). The advantage of such heaters is their lower cost. The disadvantages of organic materials include increased flammability and hygroscopicity. With an increase in moisture content, the heat-insulating properties of the coating sharply decrease, especially in the winter season;
- polymeric cellular materials - polystyrene foam and polyurethane foam. These materials have a low density and can be reliably fixed in insulation walls. They are completely non-hygroscopic and have high vapor barrier. Polymeric heat insulators are more expensive than organic ones, however, they have an optimal balance at a price-performance ratio;
- inorganic heaters - mainly represent stone or slag mineral wool. Stone wool is made from natural rocks and has great durability and environmental friendliness. Slag wool is cheaper because it is made from waste from the metallurgical industry. Inorganic insulation also includes foamglass, which does not absorb moisture, has a low heat transfer coefficient and is chemically inert. The main advantage of these heat insulators is complete fire safety;
- combined heaters - made in the form of combined layers of foamed polymer and aluminum foil, having the highest cost and efficiency. The reduction in heat loss occurs due to the reflection of the infrared (thermal) radiation from the aluminum layer back to the steam room.
When choosing any insulation, pay attention to their maximum allowable temperature of use. The temperature in the bath can reach 120-160 ºС, especially in the local upper zones of the steam room. The working temperature of the material must exceed the specified values by 10-20 ° C.
Foam is a material unsuitable for internal bath insulation. The temperature of the beginning of its destruction is at the level of 90 ºС, and with more intense heating, harmful substances are released and the quality of thermal insulation decreases.
Process basics
There are various approaches to warming the bath. With comprehensive thermal insulation of the steam room, it is most convenient to start finishing from the ceiling. The correct sequence of work stages will increase the efficiency of the insulation layer and save from subsequent design improvements. The procedure for performing thermal insulation:
- seal the gaps between the walls and the ceiling as much as possible. It is most convenient to do this with adhesive aluminum tape, which prevents moisture loss and accumulates vapor indoors;
- attach the guide rails to the ceiling, to which the external frame will be attached in the future;
- fill the space between the rails with a heat insulator. Foam polymer or combination boards and sheets are best suited. For their fastening to the ceiling, you can use a wood stapler, glue or mechanical fasteners that connect to the ceiling through wooden choppers;
- glue the joints between the sheets with an impermeable tape (to give additional tightness);
- sheathe the ceiling along the guide rails with a wooden lining.
Always leave an air gap between the lining and the inner layer of insulation. This will create an additional energy-saving pillow and protect the tree from decay. In the resulting piers, air will circulate, providing its own microclimate.
What to look for
The technology of thermal insulation of walls plays no less important role than the decoration of the ceiling. Although much less heat is lost through the walls, even a small amount of it is still enough to significantly cool the bath. For walls, cheaper heat insulators can be used than for the ceiling, since the material is mounted on a vertical surface much easier.
Fixation of thick insulating layers should be carried out between the guide strips located vertically and parallel to each other. Outside, the plating will be attached to these trims. Hygroscopic slabs of organic insulation can be covered with aluminum foil, additionally providing reverse reflection of heat.
Joints of combined roll materials or foamed polymer slabs must be sealed with aluminum duct tape. This will prevent moisture from entering the wall and increase the durability of the walls.
Before using organic heaters (for example, wood chip boards or reed blocks), treat them with a 3% solution of iron sulfate. This will prevent rotting that occurs over time in the tree.
When decorating windows, do not forget to glue all the cracks. Best of all, if the windows will be in the middle of the bath - with this arrangement, less heat will go through them. To minimize heat loss, you can put a double or triple glazed window in the window - this is especially important in cold areas.
If you decide to do it yourself
A huge number of advisers can confuse even an experienced landlord. So that the repair of the bath does not result in a round sum and is of high quality, follow simple recommendations:
- Get the most practical material. The pursuit of the most environmentally friendly heaters is unlikely to be effective, since you will not feel any tangible advantages from their use. Buying the cheapest insulators can lead to damage during the repair phase. The best in practice are polymer insulation and the cheapest combined varieties;
- work in the company - independent thermal protection of the walls is rather complicated, not to mention the decoration of the ceiling;
- if the bath is built of timber, be sure to seal the gaps between adjacent logs to eliminate heat leakage with steam and air;
- always make the window open - the safety of people in the steam room depends on this;
- try not to use plastic lining. Although it is much easier to wash, an unpleasant coating will nullify this advantage. The most suitable tree is a pine. Unlike pine firewood, the lining emits resin moderately and creates a pleasant atmosphere in the steam room.
If you notice that the bath is less hot than it should be, do not hesitate to proceed with its modernization. The better the steam room will keep heat, the greater will be the saving of personal time and fuel for kindling. The temperature in such a steam room will last much longer and bring more pleasant and useful time.