Bath and sauna are premises in which it is necessary to create and maintain a special microclimate. The temperature in the steam room reaches 70-90 ° C. To reduce heat loss, a thermal insulation system is thought out during the construction phase. From a wide range of building materials, experts recommend using foil insulation for a bath. It is resistant to high humidity and effectively reflects infrared radiation.
The need for thermal insulation of the bath
The steam room is good for health, it promotes skin rejuvenation, dilates blood vessels, and speeds up metabolism. When building a bath, builders take into account the special requirements for the design. It should warm up quickly and hold a high temperature for a long time. To fulfill these requirements, reflective thermal insulation for the bath is mounted. Without high-quality insulation, the steam room will not be able to function, or the heating costs will be huge. Practical bath owners note the advantages of thermal insulation:
- the service life of the bath is extended;
- the amount of time the temperature rises to a maximum is reduced;
- the consumption of firewood, coal or electricity for heating the sauna is reduced;
- basalt insulation increases the fire safety of the building.
Thermal insulation is installed inside or outside buildings. In the case of thermal insulation, steam rooms choose a material for interior work. Several layers are installed sequentially, including steam and waterproofing. The use of insulation for baths and saunas with foil allows you to get by with one material that performs all of the above functions.
Sauna heater selection criteria
When choosing the optimal insulation for a bath, you should focus on the basic requirements for the material:
- coefficient of thermal conductivity;
- the presence of a reflective layer;
- moisture resistance;
- working temperature;
- thickness;
- flammability.
The specificity of a sauna with high humidity and temperature requires paying attention to the quality of the material. Difficult conditions negatively affect the insulation, shortening its service life. Manufacturers take into account the requirements for thermal insulation of baths, create special series with appropriate marking. An important factor is the absence of harmful emissions when heated. When buying insulation, you should read the manufacturer's information.
In saunas with wood-burning stoves, it is worth considering the flammability index of the material. Basalt or mineral wool does not support combustion, polyethylene foam melts.
Characteristics of insulation with foil
The use of insulation for a bath on the walls from the inside with foil or metallized coating allows you to create the effect of a thermos. Heat transfer from heating devices occurs due to infrared radiation. To prevent the energy from leaving the premises, a metallized screen is installed that reflects it. It is advisable to cover all sections of the structure with thermal insulation: ceiling, walls, floor. The continuous coating will reduce heat and moisture loss.
It is impractical to mount foil without a layer of insulation. It is a thin material that is easily damaged during installation. In addition, aluminum has a high thermal conductivity, which is unacceptable in a bath and sauna.Correct installation and a layer of thermal insulation material will eliminate the problem.
The main characteristics of foil insulation:
- High ability to reflect infrared radiation 90-97%.
- Low thermal conductivity due to the cellular or fibrous structure of the material.
- Vapor tightness - the coating of an aluminum layer does not allow vapor molecules to pass through, no additional protective films are required.
- Waterproofing - the material does not absorb moisture.
- High temperature resistance - heaters are designed for a wide operating temperature range, the upper limit is 150-300 ° C.
- Availability of installation - most insulation materials are available in rolls and mats, which allows you to install them yourself.
In addition to thermal insulation qualities, sauna heater with foil has vapor barrier and sound-absorbing properties.
The choice of foil material
Thermal insulation with foil for a bath differs in technical characteristics and properties. The choice of insulation is influenced by the structural features of the room, fire safety requirements, and the complexity of installation. For stone and concrete buildings, mineral wool is recommended. It is a reliable material of considerable thickness that will provide an adequate level of insulation.
A building made of timber or logs does not require much effort to maintain the temperature. Wood itself is a good heat insulator. In this case, foam or craft foil is sufficient. Reviewing popular options will help you decide which material to use
Roll-up heat insulator
Insulation in the form of a roll cloth can be from 20 to 150 m in length. The thickness of the material ranges from 2 to 40 mm. The base is foamed polyethylene or propylene. Thanks to a fine aluminum coating, the material reflects heat radiation. Penofol is popular in the domestic market. The material is produced with one-sided or double-sided foil coating with a self-adhesive backing.
Rolled foil without a base is laid on the surface of the walls after the insulation. Strips 1-1.5 m wide are overlapped. The formed surface is highly resistant to temperature (up to 650 ° C), moisture and steam.
Basalt wool with foil layer
Mineral or basalt wool is a versatile fiber insulation. It is resistant to fire and moisture and provides excellent thermal insulation of the room. Foiling of the outer layer reduces heat loss and creates a vapor barrier. Among the assortment of leading manufacturers Isover, Park and Rockwool, you can pick up special materials with foil for bath insulation.
- For anti-condensation insulation, ROCKWOOL ALU is recommended. The material is supplied in mats. Its fibers are perpendicular to the surface. During operation, the strength and elasticity of the cotton wool is not lost. The Sauna Butts series is designed for insulating saunas and baths. Mineral wool slabs 50 and 100 mm thick serve as heat and vapor barrier. The material is intended for indoor installation.
- Rolled insulation Isover Sauna is quickly installed on walls and floors, providing reliable insulation. It is safe for health, does not have harmful emissions when heated and wet. The material allows you to save on the installation of membranes and films.
- The popular Paroc insulation is available in lamellar and stitched mats. They are easy to use and can be quickly mounted on an insulated surface. The aluminum layer is reflective. Basalt wool does not change its thickness during operation.
The quality of the insulation depends on the thickness of the selected mineral wool. The best option is 5-10 cm. Basalt wool is fireproof, does not rot from moisture, and has a long service life.
Kraft foil
- foil or foil glassine - an elastic material based on cardboard with a corrugated aluminum coating;
- foil-fabric - fiberglass insulation, backed up with foil, reflects up to 97% of radiation, withstands temperatures of about 200 ° C;
- Isolar - foil for a bath with a thickness of 50 and 100 microns with the addition of polyethylene film, resistant to fire, temperatures up to 300 ° C.
Among the types of insulation, it is worth noting a novelty - PIR plates from TechnoNIKOL with foil lining. The range of products for bath insulation creates a reliable barrier between the cold from the outside and the hot, humid air of the steam room. The slabs are lightweight, have low water absorption, and are resistant to deformation
Installation of insulation with foil
When installing foil insulation for a sauna, you must follow the rules:
- The layer with aluminum foil is directed inside the room.
- When installing the material on the ceiling, a descent is made to the walls, from vertical surfaces to the floor. This is necessary for condensate drainage.
- The steam room needs ventilation.
- A gap of at least 30 mm is left between the foil layer and the finish of the bath.
The sequence of installation work depends on the type of insulation. A roll of penofol is rolled out, cut into canvases of the required length and fixed on the walls with a stapler. For basalt wool, it is necessary to make a frame according to the thickness of the material. The mats are placed in the finished crate. The joints of the canvases are glued together with metallized tape. On top of the heat-insulating layer, strips of 30 × 50 mm are stuffed. The lathing will provide the necessary ventilation gap between the insulation and the steam room skin.
You can insulate the bath and sauna with your own hands. Popular materials with foil will provide the necessary level of protection against heat loss and save on heating costs.
Penofol and its derivatives cannot be used in steam rooms. At temperatures above 100 degrees, harmful substances are released, which are harmful for a man, for his pride, a device. You only need to use rolled foil, having thought about how to mount it on a flat surface and use air gaps between layers of materials, sheathing the walls and ceiling. Depending on which stove, we install the correct ventilation for the correct distribution of steam, etc.