How to insulate the ceiling in a bath with your own hands - the better to do it

The ability of the structure to retain heat depends on the quality of the thermal insulation of the ceiling surface. If the ceiling is not insulated in the bath, the stove will not be able to quickly heat up the air streams, and the condensate will drip down. Using a step-by-step action plan, choosing the right materials, the owners will cope with the work in a short time.

The better to insulate the ceiling in the bath

Before choosing heat-insulating materials for a bath, it must be borne in mind that high humidity and temperature are constantly maintained in this room. High-quality insulation should have:

• resistance to temperature extremes and humid environment;
• mold and insect resistance;
• compatibility with other finishing materials;
• low moisture absorption;
• ecological cleanliness, so that it is normal to breathe in the bath;
• low thermal conductivity to prevent cold air from penetrating inside;
• ease of installation without loss of basic characteristics.

Choose materials that are light in weight for the bath room - they are easier to carry.

Mineral wool as insulation

Mineral wool, or basalt heat insulator is used as the main layer. The mineral material is distinguished by environmental friendliness and heat resistance. During manufacture, it is impregnated with fire retardants, therefore it fades out during fires. Treatment of fibers with boric acid prevents the invasion of insects and small rodents. The positive aspects of using ecowool include:

• the minimum thermal conductivity is from 0.035 to 0.041 W / m × ° K;
• absence of vapors of harmful substances during heating;
• high-quality closure of cracks and cracks during wet installation;
• small weight - cotton wool fits to any thickness;
• long period of operation - from 40 to 50 years;
• no waste and recyclability.

The disadvantages of using the material include a high level of moisture absorption (about 20%), which is eliminated by arranging high-quality ventilation.

Foam boards

You can insulate the ceiling in the bath with expanded polystyrene plates. The polymer material is different:

• low thermal conductivity (0.037—0.040 W / m × ° K);
• versatility - the wall, ceiling and even the floor surface are covered with heat-insulating panels;
• ease of self-styling;
• preservation of thermal insulation properties for 30-40 years;
  
• fire resistance - has only foam with flame retardant impregnation;
• low level of moisture absorption.

Among the disadvantages of thermal insulation boards is exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the release of a harmful smell during combustion.

At elevated temperatures, the foam becomes toxic.

Slag heaters

Fuel slag is a good material for insulating floors or ceilings. When using it, it is necessary to carefully remove impurities - ash and coal. In the presence of impurities, the quality of insulation and sound insulation will decrease.

This insulation option is characterized by a number of positive aspects:

• high degree of thermal insulation due to the loose structure;
• environmental friendliness - when burning, they do not emit toxins into the air;
• bactericidal qualities and lack of decay;
• resistance to fluctuations in temperature and humidity;
• no shrinkage and deformation.

When laying fuel slag, difficulties arise with the unevenness of the seam, which are easily masked by the finish.

Industrial waste must not be used indoors.

Sawdust is a popular way to preserve heat

The grandfather's method, in which lumber, cements or clay are used to prepare the mixture. Components are selected in a ratio of 10: 1: 1: 1.5. They will need to be thoroughly mixed in a dry state, then add water and knead a dense solution. The quality of the thermal insulation coating will depend on the thickness of the layer. After readiness, foil insulation is laid on the covering.

Sawdust insulation has several advantages:

• affordable cost of raw materials;
• environmental friendliness - sawdust and wood shavings are natural materials;
• temperature and fire resistance of the finished heat insulator;
• good indicators of moisture resistance and vapor permeability;
• saving on the arrangement of the vapor barrier layer;
• sound protection quality.

The disadvantages of using sawdust are the laboriousness of the preparatory work, the significant weight of the finished material.

Cracks in the dried mixture are repaired with the same compound.

Using penoizol

Penoizol can be used from the inside in the bath room. The material is made in the form of foamed plastic before insulation. Using special equipment, you can fill the voids in the wall, roof, flooring. The thermal insulation coating is different:

• lack of costs for organizing double-sided insulation;
• fire resistance
• long operational period;
• resistance to decay and mold formation;
• ease of installation.

The disadvantages of the technology include the high cost of equipment and adherence to a clear application algorithm.

Penoizol cannot be used in a log bath or in the presence of concrete floors.

Other types of materials

You can insulate the cold ceiling yourself in the bath using other materials:

• Expanded clay granules with a light and porous structure. The filling material is made on the basis of clay, it is environmentally friendly and has a good thermal insulating effect. Expanded clay is resistant to flames and exposure to damp environments.
• Penotherm. The material with a foam structure was developed for use in saunas and baths. It keeps heat well, has the ability to radiate, thanks to which the steam room heats up 2-3 times faster.
• Penofol. It is produced on the basis of polyethylene foam and foil applied by spraying or lamination technologies. Supplied in rolls or sheets. The metal layer reflects heat fluxes, and also provides protection against extraneous sounds and vibrations.
  
• Seaweed. In the coastal zone, damask is used, which is not exposed to moisture. It can be weighed out in bales, in the form of mesh mats and dense slabs. Differs in minimal heat retention.
• Growing aerated concrete. Designed for concrete structures only. It is made on the basis of cement and pore-forming additives. Heat-insulating materials for secondary application have a density from 400 to 600 kg / m3, structural materials with heat-insulating properties - from 600 to 900 kg / m3.

Foil insulation will not retain heat in the event of a rupture.

Methods for insulating the ceiling surface

The thermal insulation layer is organized from the side of the roof or indoors.

From the roof side

The side to which the attic comes out is insulated with foamed polymers, mineral wool, covered with ceramisite or sawdust. Thermal insulation is laid on reinforced concrete floors or between lags. You can consider the features of work outside using the example of basalt wool.

1. Arrangement of a waterproofing layer. The film is attached with an overlap of 10-15 cm using a stapler, and the joints are worked out with tape.
2. Creation of a sheet of plywood or planks, which will later be the floor of the attic.
3. Laying mineral wool between the beams so that the second layer covers the joints of the first.
4. Installation of vapor barrier membranes with a "breathing" layer downward, followed by fixation on the beams.
5. Installation of slats on thermal insulation and ceiling filing.

Before laying bulk insulation on the beams, a rough ceiling is hemmed.

Insulation from the inside

Internal insulation for the ceiling in a bath or sauna with a cold roof is suitable if a second floor is planned above the building in the future. The correct algorithm of actions implies:

1. Calculation of the coverage area taking into account climatic conditions and room parameters.
2. Preparation of building materials, tools.
3. Installation of beams - the floor is placed on the harness.
4. Laying a vapor barrier and sealing joints. The vapor barrier is fixed with a ventilation gap of 2-3 cm.
5. Installation of an insulation layer.
6. Organization of membrane waterproofing.
7. Finishing the structure with lining or tongue-and-groove boards.

No cement is used for flooring.

Preparatory work

Warming is organized according to the principle of a puff cake, because the material must be protected from moisture penetration and further dampness. To do this, you need to make a steam and waterproof layer.

Arrangement of vapor barrier

For a bath without an attic, a vapor barrier made of aluminum foil, linseed oil-impregnated cardboard or wax paper is suitable. Attic buildings are additionally processed with clay, laid in a 2-centimeter layer. Other materials can be used:

• Polyethylene film 0.4 mm thick. It is laid with a ventilation gap through which condensate is discharged.
• Vapor barrier film with vapor retaining pile.
• A membrane that removes moisture from the mineral wool. They also prevent condensation from entering the insulation and heat loss from natural ventilation.

If there is foam or foam insulation on the roof, the vapor barrier does not fit.

Organization of waterproofing

If waterproofing was not carried out during the construction phase, several technologies can be used:

• Coating room. One-component or two-component materials based on polymers or bitumen are applied 2-4 mm.
• Okalechnaya. Roll materials based on fiberglass or bitumen are applied only on top of the concrete structure.
• Painting. The waterproofing coating is in the form of mastics, pastes or emulsions. It is applied with a brush, carefully smearing the corners. Enough 2-4 layers with a thickness of 2 to 6 mm.
• Sprayed. Liquid rubber is applied to external surfaces using special equipment.

On the ceiling of the bath, you can put polyurethane foam waterproofing, which will perform the functions of insulation.

Step-by-step instructions for thermal insulation

When insulating the ceiling of a bath or steam room, depending on the type of room, the work algorithm may differ.

Thermal insulation of the bath building

Step by step guide:

1. Fastening boxes in the form of a box to the bottom of the beams so that there are 5 cm gaps between the elements.There must be a distance of at least 25 cm from the chimney to the shields.
2. Impregnation of the assembled shields with antiseptic compounds.
3. Laying the vapor barrier coating and fixing it with staples.
4. Installation of shields, starting with the latter, so that their planes at the bottom converge with the beams.
5. Installation of heat-insulating material in boxes and joints of beams with shields.
6. Organization of the top flooring across beams made of boards or fiberboard.
7. Processing of the finished structure with anti-fire impregnations.

Wooden elements next to the chimney are covered with asbestos sheets.

Thermal insulation of the ceiling in the steam room

The steam room should not allow warm air to pass outside so that steam remains in the room. For this reason, insulation work includes:

1. The choice of moisture resistant material. Boards impregnated with two layers of drying oil will do.
2. Installation of lumber on beams.
3. Fastening boards over beams with a moisture gap of 3 cm.
4. Laying insulation - reinforced foil, film or roofing material.
5. Backfilling of the structure with slag or sand to a layer of 20 cm.

Glassine is used as a vapor barrier coating, and only then sand is poured.

Possible difficulties when performing work

Inexperienced builders often make the following mistakes:

1. The shrinkage of the log house is not taken into account, at which a ventilation gap of 2.5 cm is formed on the ceiling. To eliminate it, the sheathing is completely removed.
2. Insulation under the floors is installed in the steam room and sink. If these rooms are insulated, the boards can rot.
3. Insulation materials are not selected for the main one. Aluminum foil is suitable for wood cladding. In the presence of a dry steam room, it is better to use expanded clay.
4. Hollow ceiling partitions are mounted. Mineral wool without vapor barrier will lead to the formation of mold and mildew.
5. Use mineral wool or basalt slabs in highly heated rooms. When heated to 66 degrees in an unventilated room, materials release harmful formaldehyde.

Polymeric heaters cannot be installed without a vapor barrier underlay.

Depending on the type of room - a washing room or a steam room, an insulating material is selected in the bath. Under conditions of high-quality installation in compliance with the recommendations of experts, the building is kept warm, comfortable conditions for rest and water procedures are created.