Insulation for a bath on the walls from the inside

The main reason for creating thermal insulation on the walls of the bath is to maintain the efficiency of its use. Today there is a large variety of materials suitable for thermal insulation.

Features of warming the walls of the bath

A properly insulated bath can significantly reduce costs and time for heating it, faster the desired temperature indicator is reached and the cooling process is slower, and the steam room is excellent "Holds" steam.

If the technology for installing the insulation is made with violations, and the material is incorrectly selected, then:

• the service life of the building will significantly decrease;
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• heat loss will increase;
• a high level of humidity can lead to rapid rotting of the structure;
• an unpleasant odor will always be present.

Warming options

When installing insulation, two placement options are used:

• its location on the inside of the wall;
• outdoor placement.

When placed on the inside, there are a number of advantages:

• ease of installation;
• the possibility of using different technological methods and an assortment of insulation;
• there is no need to dismantle the previously made finishing from the outside.

Disadvantages inevitably appear:

• reducing the area of ​​the room;
• the moisture content of the entire structure increases.

If only this type of insulation is the only possible, then it is necessary to take a responsible approach to installation of vapor barrier and ventilation construction.

For outdoor installation, there are advantages:

• Vapor escape points are located outside the bearing wall and heat insulator. This allows you to significantly reduce humidity and extend the life of the bath.
• The layer of thermal insulation does not allow the heated air to pass freely from the walls to the outside and the overall temperature index inside the bath rises.
• Protection against freezing and thawing appears, temperature fluctuations are leveled.

There are also disadvantages with this method of insulation:

• the moisture content of the insulation increases due to the penetration of moisture inside;
• the outer layer must be protected ventilated facade or plaster from the influence of precipitation and mechanical influences.

Analyzing the options for insulation, the rationality of their use, most developers give their preference to placing the insulation outside.

Insulation materials

Frequently used materials for wall insulation are: expanded polystyrene, polystyrene, mineral wool and glass wool. Having the same purpose, each of them has its own individual characteristics.

Expanded polystyrene

It looks like polystyrene, but it has a denser and more solid structure. Its trade name is Penoplex. This material is used as a heat insulator for the outer walls of the bath.

It has a number of positive qualities:

• low price;
• low weight;
• ease of installation;
• excellent thermal insulation;
• immunity to high humidity.

There are significant disadvantages:

• increased flammability;
• may lose shape, breaking thermal insulation;
• emits compounds harmful to health when heated.

Therefore, its use as a heat insulator is allowed only in the dressing room.

Styrofoam

It is a sheet of foamed polymer. It consists of a huge number of air-filled cells. It is used only for wall insulation outside. Its use as an internal heat insulator is dangerous to human health and life.

It has a number of advantages:

• low price;
• little weight;
• its sheets keep their shape perfectly;
• high rates of thermal conductivity, sound insulation;
• gives reliable wind protection to the structure.

Its disadvantages include:

• fragility - may break during installation;
• flammability;
• obtaining many joints during installation;
• installation of additional vapor barrier is required.

Mineral wool

Waste from the metallurgical industry is used in the production. Consists of fibers obtained by drawing molten minerals. Minvata is stone (produced from basalt ores) and slag (from industrial waste). Insulation of walls can only be basalt insulation.

Basalt insulation

In its production, molten rocks are used. For indoor and outdoor insulation, this material is considered ideal.

Basalt material has a number of advantages:

• high strength;
• long service life;
• ease of installation;
• good sound absorption;
• incombustibility;
• resistance to deformation;
• high rate of thermal insulation;
• well processed;
• resistant to chemical and biological effects.

With a sufficient number of positive aspects of use, there is one significant drawback - the high price.

Glass wool

It is a weave of very thin fiberglass. Perfect for internal or external insulation of the walls of the bath.

Due to its structure, it has a number of advantages:

• low cost;
• keeps warm well;
• long service life.

Manufacturers produce it in various thicknesses and widths, which is very convenient in each case.

When installing mineral wool and glass wool, personal safety measures should be used. During their cutting, particles dangerous to humans are formed. When working with it, you should use respiratory and skin protection.

What material to choose

The entire large assortment of heaters can be combined into three groups, and each of them has its own characteristics that are important to consider when choosing.

Mineral

This group includes:

• basalt fiber;
• mineral wool;
• glass wool.

They are made from very thin fibers obtained from melted rocks or wastes from the metallurgical industry. Available in the form of slabs, rolls and mat. They have a density from 35 to 150kg / m3. They have high rates of thermal insulation, moisture permeability, durability.

At high temperatures, they do not lose their properties, do not collapse and are completely fireproof. Ideal for wall insulation both inside the bath and outside.

Organic (natural)

The materials for their manufacture are peat, wood waste and reeds. These include:

• arbolite;
• reeds;
• fibrolite.

They are produced in slabs of different sizes. Withstand loads from 8 to 12 t / m2, bending strength is 0.3-0.5 MPa, porosity values ​​are from 84 to 91%. They can be used in areas with frequent low temperatures. They have a low price, a high rate of thermal insulation, easy installation and environmental friendliness.

Suitable only for installing insulation outside the bath, since organic insulation quickly ignites at high temperatures and is highly sensitive to humidity.

Modern technologies do not stand still, and now special impregnations are being produced that increase the level of fire safety. After processing organic insulation with them, they become fireproof. Still, it's not worth the risk.

Heaters based on plastics

Perfect for decorating dressing rooms or rest rooms. They have low cost, light weight, insensitivity to moisture, low thermal conductivity and good thermal insulation, easy installation, long service life.

The density of the material ranges from 30 to 250 kg / m3, but they have low fire safety and are not recommended for use in a steam room.

This group includes:

• Styrofoam;
• polyurethane foam;
• expanded polystyrene.

Having a little idea about each of the groups of heaters, you can choose the right one among them that will provide effective thermal insulation in the bath.

Selection options

Before choosing any of the thermal insulation materials, you need to get acquainted with the main parameters that it must correspond to.

Many people try to choose a heat insulator based on its density. But this choice is not correct. Different manufacturers in the production of the same type of insulation with the same density use different technology, which means that the thermal conductivity index may be different.

Therefore, in your choice, you should take into account the thermal and mechanical indicators:

1. Moisture resistance. With a low indicator, the material absorbs water and very soon it will have to be changed. In addition, upon contact with her, he should not lose his properties and forms.
2. Environmental friendliness. The composition should not contain toxic and harmful components to humans.
3. It must withstand temperature drops and humidity without losing its qualities.
4. Fire safety. Should not easily ignite and burn with open fire.
5. Heat insulating indicator - the higher it is, the better the heat is retained.
6. Chemical and biological resistance. Must not react with or cause structural damage to other materials. High temperature and humidity should not provoke the appearance of mold and mildew.
7. Elasticity, resilience and the ability to maintain its original shape throughout the entire service life.
8. High compressive strength.

Naturally, the ideal material should have the following parameters: minimum weight and thickness, low thermal conductivity, high fire resistance and low hygroscopicity. But in practice, not one of the materials does not correspond to such indicators. Therefore, when installing thermal insulation, materials can be combined with each other.

What material to choose depending on the material of the walls of the bath

The choice of insulation for a bath is based on the material from which it is made:

• If the bath is wooden, then the best insulation is reed slabs (they are lightweight, have a low cost and are fire resistant). With large timber sizes, insulation can be done with hemp with waterproofing. Mineral wool is well suited for its insulation inside.
• In a frame bath, the installation of a vapor barrier is considered a prerequisite. The material in this case is glassine, roofing material, plastic wrap. In addition, the frame walls are insulated with slabs of reed or fiberboard (they have a high level of thermal insulation and a low price), as well as mineral wool.
• Thermal insulation of a brick bath is done in order to exclude the rapid freezing of bricks even with a slight temperature minus. In a pair room, it is recommended to sheathe the walls with a bar, having previously made waterproofing, and glass wool is used as a heater and foil side material. Sheathing brick walls with wood will make it possible to significantly reduce heat loss in the bath. Reeds or fiberboard will not be a bad insulation, but they should only be used for external wall cladding.
• If the bath is made of cinder blocks or foam blocks, then the material itself, having a porous structure, has a high rate of thermal insulation. But with the onset of cold weather, such a bath also needs insulation. Of all the insulation materials, mineral wool, glass wool, and polystyrene are perfect. They are good for insulating both external walls and internal ones.

Bath wall insulation technology

Insulation technology is simple, but its implementation should be approached responsibly.

Before starting the installation, all existing shortcomings should be eliminated: seal cracks and cracks, view the tightness of all joints, treat the walls and bars themselves with an antiseptic lathing.

Upon completion of the preparatory work, you can directly engage in insulation:

1. To preserve the shape of the insulation, a crate made of wooden bars or a metal profile is attached to the prepared wall surface. Its thickness is about 2-3cm more than the thickness of the insulation. The size of the pitch of stuffing the bars should be about 1 cm less than the width of the insulation.
2. Heat-insulating material is tightly installed between the bars (profile). For reliable adhesion to the wall, it is possible to fix it with screws.
3. To protect the insulation from the formation of condensation, a vapor barrier layer is attached on top of it (aluminum foil is more often used). To fasten it, staples or a construction stapler are used.
4. All joints are sealed with tape.
5. In order to create a ventilated space, a crate with a thickness of no more than 5 cm is mounted between the vapor barrier and the future finishing layer.
6. Finishing is done.

The better the walls of the bath will retain heat, the less will be the cost of heating it and keeping it warm. Technologically correct work carried out to insulate the walls of the bath will help improve its quality and functional characteristics.