To prevent heat loss and increase in heating costs, it is necessary to carry out an insulation procedure. It is characterized by some subtleties that should be known in advance. It is worthwhile to study in more detail the information about which insulation for the bath is better to choose, what qualities of the material you need to pay close attention to.
What insulation for a bath is better
The bathhouse is a rather complex structure, in which high humidity and temperature are constantly observed. In view of this, it is extremely important to choose the right heater for the bath.
When choosing the required material, you need to pay attention to the following requirements:
- The insulation must be environmentally friendly and extremely resistant in high humidity.
- Prevents the formation of mold, the activity of harmful microorganisms and bacteria.
- Shape retention, elasticity.
- The material should prevent the formation and accumulation of condensation, have a minimum moisture absorption rate.
- Compatibility with other building materials used in the construction of the bath. This means that the insulation should not have any effect on the specific characteristics and functions of other building materials.
Insulation must provide extremely tight waterproofing, have a certificate of compliance with state standards and requirements. It should also have a good thermal conductivity parameter. It is generally accepted that the higher this value, the better the material retains heat. The most ideal option is mineral wool, the thermal conductivity of which is 0.045 W / (Khm).
How to insulate the walls in the bath from the inside
The construction market offers a huge assortment of various insulation materials. Therefore, consumers often have difficulties with the choice of a suitable material for the improvement of the bath.
It is worth noting that each material has its own definite positive and negative sides. Therefore, it is better to choose several insulation materials that will be used in combination. This will create an ideal thermal insulation system for the bath room.
It is worth taking a closer look at the most popular types of heaters for a bath on the walls from the inside.
Polymer heaters for a bath
This group of heaters includes all options created by human hands. They are not of natural origin, even if natural ingredients were used for their production.
The brightest representative of polymers is polystyrene. As a heater for a bath, it demonstrates fairly high criteria. It has an excellent ability to resist excess water, tolerates high temperature conditions. Due to its special lightness, it can be used to insulate attic rooms in a bathhouse, or on the second floor, if there is one.
Polyfoam will be a good solution as a heater for a bath on the outer walls. If you use it indoors, certain difficulties can arise. It is capable of releasing phenol vapors under the influence of high temperature. This substance is deadly to humans.
Recently, consumers are giving preference to other polymer compounds, including poroplates, foam with a cellular and foamy texture, plastic materials with a honeycomb structure. Foam glass is considered especially in demand. This is a relatively new modern material, which is a cross between stone wool and foam. It has a small mass, has excellent resistance to high humidity and temperature stress. It is easy to cut with both a saw and an ordinary knife, which greatly simplifies the procedure for installing the coating.
Basalt heater for a bath
This non-combustible sauna heater is one of the most demanded and is in high demand among consumers. This is explained by its advantageous characteristics, including:
- enhanced mechanical strength;
- low specific gravity, due to which there is no additional load on the wall ceilings;
- significant operational parameters;
- the ability to withstand sudden temperature changes;
- immunity to high temperatures (up to 160 ° C);
- ease of installation, basalt can be easily laid on structures of any configuration and geometric proportion, preventing the appearance of cold bridges in the area of joints.
At the same time, the use of the indicated insulation in the bath is limited. The material can lose its advantages at a high level of humidity, is afraid of rodents, and is not compatible with wooden elements. That is why this type of insulation is not recommended for use in rooms with a high concentration of water (steam room).
Foil insulation
Most often, it is recommended to use foil insulation for bath insulation, also known as mirror insulation. It is a classic mineral material complemented by polished aluminum foil or foil. The main task of this coating is to prevent the loss of infrared thermal radiation, as a result of which the room retains heat for a long time.
The use of this type of product is considered a good solution. Thanks to the reflective surface, most of the heat is returned to the room, which significantly reduces heating costs.
Heaters of this format are characterized by a number of advantages:
- quick installation and high level of thermal insulation;
- reduction in fuel consumption with rapid warming up of the room;
- the insulator does not accumulate condensate, therefore the finishing materials used in the bath are reliably protected from deformation and decay;
- the material is characterized by versatility, it can be used both inside the bath and outside;
- a high level of water resistance, which is extremely important when insulating bath rooms and rooms with a significant level of humidity;
- foil-clad product absorbs steam, is durable, does not emit hazardous chemicals.
Foil material is produced in several variations:
Heaters for the floor in the bath
It is advisable to start warming a bath not from the walls or ceiling, but from the floor. In buildings of this type, it can be of two types - continuous and flowing. Depending on the specific type, the insulation process will be slightly different.
If there is a continuous floor covering in the bath, it is better to use mineral wool or its analogues for insulation. For this, the material is laid on the subfloor, after which it is covered with several layers of waterproofing. Then you can proceed to pouring the main floor.
If the floor is leaking, then the insulation will take place in several stages:
- A pit is dug along the entire perimeter of the bath, the depth of which is not more than 50 cm. A sand mixture is poured onto the bottom, which must be carefully tamped and leveled.
- Foam plastic with a thickness of 20 cm is laid on the sand.In the future, it must be filled with cement mortar mixed with foam plastic crumbs or ursa for a bath.
- After the cement has set, at least 2 layers of waterproofing are laid on the coating.
- On top of the waterproofing, the floor is poured with cement mixed with vermiculite. Then the reinforcing mesh is spread.
- Another layer of concrete with fine gravel or expanded clay is poured onto it.
- The last stage of work is the laying of the final flooring.
Expanded clay
One of the most affordable insulation materials. Despite the fact that expanded clay is inferior to other materials in terms of thermal conductivity, its popularity is due to its low price and versatility in use.
Often this material is used for attic floors, for the elimination of cavities in brick baths. They are produced in various sizes, differing in the size of fractions. For a bath, it is better to take expanded clay with smaller fractions.
Important! Expanded clay can be the main insulation, and can also be used as a filler for lightweight concrete mixtures.
Heaters for the ceiling
To insulate the ceiling of the bath, you need to give preference to a fire-resistant material. Hot air is directed upwards, so this part of the building is most vulnerable. Mineral wool or foil material is often used as insulation.
Insulation is placed between the rafters or above them. The next step is to form a waterproofing layer. It should be remembered that the main insulation can increase due to high humidity, therefore, there must be an air gap of 20-30 mm wide between it and the waterproofing.
If there is no attic in the bath, it is more rational to use expanded clay as insulation. It is covered with a layer of 20-30 cm on the vapor barrier.
How to insulate a brick bath from the inside
When insulating a brick bath from the inside, it is better to use natural materials that retain heat, do not emit foreign substances during prolonged heating.
The process of warming the bath from the inside will take place according to the following algorithm:
How to insulate a wooden bath
A wooden structure is a source of increased danger. Since the temperature and humidity are constantly high in the bath, the insulation must meet a number of criteria. We are talking about ensuring fire safety, the ability to withstand prolonged heating without the release of toxic gases, the formation of high-quality steam and waterproofing.
To reduce heat loss in a wooden bath, it is recommended to pay attention to the following types of insulation:
- Glass wool. It is made of glass fibers of minimum thickness, which are intertwined with each other. Available in slabs or rolls. Due to the presence of air between the fibers, glass wool will maximally protect the room from heat loss. Moreover, it is not susceptible to high temperature loads.
- Mineral wool. The best insulation for a bath, according to most professionals, belongs to the group of non-hygroscopic materials. Excellent protection against heat loss, characterized by a high level of fire safety. The only caveat is that the cotton wool is easy to damage, so the installation must be carried out with utmost care.
- Basalt. This fiber is extremely expensive, but it is considered one of the best insulation materials. Its basis is rocks, previously melted. Because of this, basalt does not burn, is not afraid of mechanical stress and deformation, and keeps heat well.
Conclusion
You need to choose the right insulation for the bath. Not all types of materials can be used in bath buildings. It differs from other outbuildings and has certain difficulties. That is why it is necessary to carefully weigh the pros and cons when choosing a suitable insulation.
The general public concern for their health has led to the fact that almost every owner of a country house seeks to acquire a bathhouse. The specificity of this useful facility is thermal procedures that require the creation of a stable high temperature in the steam room. To provide a similar microclimate with the least waste of energy, inside the structure they equip something like a thermos. Baths can be insulated with different materials, which directly affects the implementation method.
Why thermal insulation is needed
The bathhouse has many useful properties, but many of them may be inaccessible if the internal insulation is not properly organized. In such a situation, even competently implemented construction work will not save: if the walls of the building are not able to keep the heat generated by the stove, the comfort of taking bath procedures will noticeably fall. The only way out is to reduce the time between kindling, which, accordingly, will provoke an increase in financial costs for paying for energy resources.
A more correct solution is to insulate the bath room, since there is a number of effective technologies for this. It is best to do this even during the construction of the building. However, if this important stage was missed for some reason, some methods of internal insulation allow for the possibility of implementation at the end of construction. The main difference between the thermal insulation of a bath and a similar procedure in an ordinary house is that in the first case, indoors, it is necessary to achieve the longest possible retention of the high temperature created by the stove. This requires a better approach to work.
Which material is better
In the old days, baths were insulated with exclusively natural materials. We are talking about felt, hemp hemp, flax, red moss, etc. The undoubted advantage of these heaters is their complete harmlessness to people. Even in conditions of a significant increase in temperature (which is often the case in a steam room), they do not emit any harmful substances and toxins.
Natural materials also have significant disadvantages:
Labor intensity of the laying process. Despite the simplicity of the procedure for caulking a bath with moss or tow, it takes a lot of time and effort. As a result, the wages of the craftsmen have to be increased.
Weak biological resistance. Natural materials are susceptible to rotting and the formation of fungi: in conditions of constantly high humidity, this is only exacerbated. Insects and rodents are often found in the thickness of the insulation, so regular revision and re-laying of the heat-insulating layer will be required.
Modern artificial insulation has more attractive performance characteristics.
Although their degree of environmental friendliness is somewhat lower, there are an order of magnitude more service lines. This is due to their absolute inertness in relation to constant moisture and high temperatures. If we add here the low weight, ease of installation and low cost, it becomes clear why synthetic materials have now practically replaced their natural counterparts. Most often they use expanded polystyrene, basalt fiber, mineral wool and glass wool. Before insulating the bath from the inside, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each of these materials.
Expanded polystyrene
It has excellent thermal insulation characteristics with low weight and low cost. Styrofoam resists moisture well, but in high temperature conditions there is a real risk of deformation and even fire of the plates. If we add to this the release of toxic substances during heating, it becomes clear why they try not to use this material in the baths (except for the external design of the dressing room).
Expanded polystyrene - the closest relative of polystyrene, but with improved characteristics
Basalt fiber
An excellent option for bath insulation. The raw materials for the manufacture of basalt fibers are molten rocks.
This explains the presence of the following characteristics of the material:
It doesn't burn at all.
It tolerates mechanical stress and high humidity well.
Has the ability to absorb noise.
Provides excellent thermal insulation.
It can be used for more than a dozen years without loss of performance.
It is very easy to install basalt insulation, because it can be cut into pieces of the desired size. The only drawback of this material is its high cost.
Basalt fiber compresses well, and after laying it takes up the entire required volume
On our site you can get acquainted with the most from the construction companies presented at the exhibition of houses "Low-rise Country".
Mineral wool
It is produced under approximately the same conditions as basalt fiber. The difference between them concerns the raw materials used: in this case, it is not rock, but metallurgical waste that plays its role. Thus, it is possible to significantly reduce the cost of the finished material.
In addition to being cheap, mineral wool has other advantages:
Low level of thermal conductivity. Thanks to this, the heated room retains its heat for a long time.
Moisture resistance. The material is allowed to be used at stable high moisture content.
High sound insulation performance.
The disadvantages of mineral wool include its low resistance to mechanical stress. This introduces certain difficulties in the styling procedure.
Glass wool
The composition of the material includes the finest threads of inorganic glass intertwined with each other. As a result, numerous air gaps and pockets are formed inside the glass wool, preventing heat leakage through the insulation. You should also highlight the good vapor permeability and low cost of the material. It is available on sale in rolls of different thicknesses and widths, which makes it easier to select the optimal level of insulation. In addition to rolls, glass wool is sold in the form of mats and slabs.
What to choose
Analysis of the characteristics of materials for thermal insulation leads to the conclusion that the most optimal option than to insulate the bath from the inside is basalt fiber and mineral wool. To save money, the choice is mainly made towards mineral wool. Moreover, the manufacturers managed to solve the problem of its fragility through the use of foiling.
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer the construction and design of a bath. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the Low-Rise Country exhibition of houses.
Warming procedure
You have to work in high humidity conditions. This means that the moisture resistance of the heat-insulating material alone is not enough in this case: in addition, you have to use a vapor barrier film. Thanks to this, it is possible to avoid condensation of moisture inside the insulation (condensation reduces the thermal insulation characteristics of the material and promotes decay of the walls). In addition to the film, aluminum foil is often used as a vapor barrier in baths, which enhances the insulation effect by reflecting heat into the room. To create a continuous protective surface, the joints of the foil sheets are decorated with metallized tape.
Walls
The nuances of thermal insulation of the bath walls largely depend on the material of their manufacture. Concrete, stone and brick bases in any case need insulation. In this case, the goal is not only to reduce heat loss, but also to protect the walls themselves from destructive moisture.
When selecting the thickness of the insulation, the following is taken into account:
Thickness of walls made of stone, concrete or brick.
Features of the local climate.
As a rule, experts recommend laying insulation with a thickness of at least 100 mm. As for the insulation from the inside of the bath from a bar, it is carried out only for walls thinner than 20 cm. For additional protection of more solid structures, a waterproofing film and lining from the lining are usually used.
List of stages:
Arrangement of the lathing on the insulated surface. The wooden blocks used for this must be well dried and treated with an antiseptic impregnation.
Fiberglass decoration of the gaps between the individual cross members of the frame.
Installation on the walls from the inside of the heater for the bath. For this, slabs of basalt or mineral wool cut to size are used.
Laying a vapor barrier material on top of the insulation.
Finishing finish. For this, natural lining is most often used in baths.
Ceiling
Equipping the bath ceiling with thermal insulation in many ways resembles a similar procedure on the walls. At the same time, it is allowed not to equip the washing department and the dressing room with foil vapor barrier, replacing it with inexpensive polyethylene or kraft paper.
The vapor barrier layer is separated from the finishing sheathing by a ventilation gap of 10-20 mm, which significantly accelerates the drying of the sheathing at the end of the water procedures. This nuance is of fundamental importance, since due to the microclimate of the bath, the ceiling finish is exposed to the extreme effects of heated humid air. The ventilation gap prevents wood from rotting, significantly extending its service life.
Floor
A significant amount of heat loss in the bath occurs through the floor surface. This becomes especially noticeable with the onset of winter cold. Features of floor insulation also directly depend on the material of its manufacture.
The procedure for insulating a wooden floor consists of the following operations:
Drain pipe lining. It is best to arrange the drain in the center of the room.
Roofing material is laid on top of the rammed earth base, with an approach to the walls (within 15-20 cm).
Backfilling expanded clay as thick as possible. In this case, it is important that at least 20 cm remains for ventilation to the upper lintels.
Installation of floor beams, pre-treated with antiseptics.
The bottom of the log is equipped with cranial bars for laying sub-floor boards.
Subfloor decoration with vapor barrier film. It is important to achieve protection for both beams and planks.
Laying insulation in the gaps between the beams. Usually mineral wool is used for this. A vapor barrier film is also stretched from above.
Installation of logs under a wooden flooring. They are stuffed at an angle of 90 degrees in relation to the beams.
Construction of a frame for a waterproof finishing floor made of mounting rails. They are equipped with a specific cut towards the central drain (cut angle - 5-7 degrees). The gaps between the frame jumpers (and the jumpers themselves) are made out with foil-clad mineral wool (the foil should look up).
Finishing wood flooring gasket.
Video description
In this video, you will learn how to insulate a bath or sauna. You will also learn how to properly insulate the bath with your own hands and not make mistakes while working:
The sequence of thermal insulation of the concrete floor:
Leveling and tamping the subgrade.
Pouring concrete screed.
Equipping the dried concrete with waterproofing. For these purposes, you can use a dense plastic wrap or roofing felt.
Laying of thermal insulation boards or strips. They are also covered with waterproofing.
Pouring another concrete layer, with a mandatory slope towards the drain hole.
Tile is usually used as a top coat on concrete.
The floor surface of the bath is constantly wet, therefore, increased requirements are imposed on the installation of waterproofing. It is important to ensure that even minor damage to the top screed could not cause the insulation inside the "pie" to get wet.
Video description
A few more words about choosing a heater for a bath in the following video:
Output
Its internal comfort and the amount of fuel consumed to maintain the desired temperature directly depend on the high-quality insulation of the bath. The most suitable heat-insulating materials, taking into account the specifics of operation, are basalt and mineral wool with additional foiling.
When building a bath, it is important to carefully make thermal insulation. To prevent expensive heat from the inside out, various seals and insulation are used. However, unlike a residential building, there are a number of nuances associated with temperature drops and high humidity. This must be taken into account when choosing thermal insulation materials. The domestic market offers a wide range of specialized products. Experts recommend considering the following points when buying.
- Heaters that will be mounted from the inside of the bath are selected taking into account environmental friendliness. Humidity and heat dissolve toxic compounds, which then enter the lungs or on the skin of people.
- The next important parameter of insulation for a bath is water repellency. This primarily applies to rooms such as a steam room and a washing room.
- Most often, baths are separate unheated buildings. The temperature difference inside is from -30 to + 100 ° С. Not every insulation can handle such a load.
- Any Russian bath has a stove. To insulate the chimney, a heat insulator with high resistance to fire is selected.
- Since the bathhouse is being built for many years, durability will be a good quality insulation. Some materials can serve well for more than 100 years.
- A classic of the sauna genre is the log building. One of the important stages of warming will be the filling of the gaps and voids between the joints. The better this work is done, the less funds will be required for thermal insulation of the walls from the inside. It remains to pay more attention to the floor and ceiling.
Our review includes the best heaters for a bath. When selecting applicants, the following criteria were taken into account:
- the purpose of the material;
- specifications;
- price;
- expert opinion;
- consumer reviews.
TOP-7 best heaters for a bath
7 Styrofoam
The best insulation for the dressing room
Country Russia
Average price: 4 rubles (1 sq. M)
Rating (2019): 4.4
The strengths of the foam are its low cost and lightness. Therefore, masters use this insulator wherever possible and where not. A typical example is the bathhouse. An easy-to-use polymer material does not absorb moisture, therefore it has the right to claim the title of the best heater for a bath. It can be easily cut with a knife, you can fix it with ordinary nails or self-tapping screws. But there is one significant limitation. At high temperatures, the material can deform, and even worse, emit an unpleasant and hazardous to human health odor of phenol. In addition, the foam burns well, so it is not safe to use it near the stove either.
Considering all these features of the heat insulator, experts recommend using the material for warming the dressing room. Moreover, it is better to do this from the outside. And the joints between the individual sheets will have to be glued with polyurethane foam.
6 Foam glass
Strength and moisture resistance
Country Russia
Average price: 1 600 rubles. (1 sq. M)
Rating (2019): 4.5
Every year, the eco-friendly material for insulating foam glass is becoming more and more popular. Due to its strength and moisture resistance, the material is suitable for thermal insulation of a bath. Lightweight blocks with a honeycomb structure withstand high temperatures, are not afraid of acids or organic solvents. Experts attribute exceptional durability and harmlessness to the human body to the advantages of the material. Foam glass as a heater can be used to isolate the interior of the bath. Microorganisms do not develop in the insulation, rodents and insects do not settle.
Builders note the high strength of the material, ease of installation. In this case, it is necessary to lay the blocks on the crosses, similar to the installation of tiles. This is done to release excess moisture from the room. An alternative is to drill holes. The disadvantage of foam glass is still a high price.
5 Mineral wool
Universal heater for a bath
Country Russia
Average price: 760 rubles. (1 sq. M)
Rating (2019): 4.7
Mineral wool is widely used in the construction industry. With the right approach, it can become a universal insulation for a bath. Experts call the strengths of the material an acceptable price, biostability and fire safety. And in terms of ease of installation, the heat insulator is one of the best. Since mineral wool loses its useful properties when wet, it is important to use it together with steam and waterproofing materials. Then it will be possible to effectively insulate the floor, walls and ceiling, both from the inside of the bath and from the outside. In addition to retaining heat, mineral wool is an excellent sound insulator.
Builders call mineral wool insulation classics. It can be used at different stages of the construction of a bath. It is only necessary to prevent contact with water, otherwise, over time, the material will begin to crumble. And it is better not to use this insulation in the steam room.
4 Expanded clay
Affordable insulation for floor and attic
Country Russia
Average price: 180 rubles. (1 cubic meter)
Rating (2019): 4.7
There is also a place of honor for a loose expanded clay heat insulator in the bath. This insulation is not afraid of moisture, microorganisms do not develop in it, it is not visited by rodents or insects. The main areas of application in the bath are the floor and the attic. But if under the roof the expanded clay simply crumbles between the beams, forming a continuous layer of insulation, then there may be some options when installing the floor. In one case, expanded clay is added to the concrete screed, the other way is to fill the space between the logs. The advantages of expanded clay include environmental friendliness, durability and reasonable price.
Builders call clay-based bulk material the best heat insulator for floor and attic. However, basic care should be taken when working with it. If the granules are damaged, the thermal conductivity of the material increases dramatically.
3 Foil insulation
Effective heat insulator for the ceiling
Country Russia
Average price: 130 rubles. (1sq.m)
Rating (2019): 4.8
One of the most difficult stages in the construction of a bath is insulation of the ceiling from the inside. The best option would be to use foil-clad materials. Thanks to a thin aluminum coating, the insulator reflects heat and light. Thus, it is possible to keep the heat in the steam room or sauna. In addition, the foil becomes a reliable barrier against moisture penetration into the insulation. The fire resistance of the heat insulator can be used when finishing the chimney. Due to the use of foil-clad insulation, it is possible to reduce the total thickness of the floor, and to increase noise insulation.
Experts note the light weight of the heat insulator, its high efficiency, absolute environmental friendliness and hygiene. The main disadvantage of users is the corrosion of the metal coating, therefore, it is additionally necessary to treat the foil with special protective compounds.
2 Mezhventsovy insulation
Reliable thermal insulation of a wooden frame
Country Russia
Average price: 10 rubles. (1m)
Rating (2019): 4.9
It is necessary to start the insulation of a log bath at the time of the construction of the walls. It is extremely easy to do this work if you purchase an inter-lead heat insulator. In a classic Russian bath, it becomes the main type of wall insulation. Builders prefer ribbon jute to traditional moss or flax. Material thickness ranges from 4 to 15 mm. Experts highlight such advantages of a heat insulator as high density and uniformity. After the logs have shrunk, the seam becomes even more airtight, preventing the penetration of wind and moisture from the outside. The material is easy to install; it must be rolled out over the surface of a bar or log and fixed with staples using a stapler.
Jute mezhventsovy insulation shows the best properties if its structure is not broken. Accordingly, the disadvantage of the material will be the excessive rigidity of the fibers and the instability to break.
1 Basalt insulation
Most suitable wall insulator
Country Russia
Average price: 175 rubles. (1 sq. M)
Rating (2019): 4.9
Experts consider safety one of the main advantages of basalt insulation over other heat insulators. The material made on the basis of rocks does not burn, is not afraid of moisture, does not emit harmful chemical compounds at high temperatures. And given the good heat and sound insulation properties, easy installation and long service life (30 years), the material is optimal for wall insulation from the inside of the bath. Neither temperature extremes nor strong fluctuations in humidity are capable of deforming or destroying the rock. Basalt has another significant plus; rodents and insects are absolutely not interested in this insulation.
In addition to walls, experts use basalt insulation for floor and roof insulation. However, the high price does not always allow the use of the insulator as a universal material. The disadvantage of basalt can be a lot of weight.
So that the accumulated heat is retained as long as possible, and the costs of maintaining the required temperature are the smallest. Therefore, the choice of insulation for the bath plays an important role. More often than others, mineral wool is used to insulate the bath. But this is the name for several types of similar heaters that have a significant difference in characteristics and areas of application.
Mineral wool is one of the most widely used materials for insulation and sound insulation
According to GOST (state standard), there are three types of mineral wool:
- Stone wool. This type of mineral wool is made from basalt, diabase, dolomite and limestone.
- Slag wool. The raw material for this type of material is the waste of blast-furnace metallurgy.
- Glass wool. This type of mineral wool is made from broken glass, or from sand, limestone and soda.
The quality and characteristics of any type of mineral wool depends (except for raw materials) on the length and thickness of the fiber. The exact composition is usually kept secret - each manufacturer tries to create a material with the best performance, selecting the percentage of components, while not forgetting to minimize costs. Therefore, one and the same type of this insulation from different manufacturers can have a significant discrepancy in characteristics, and also in cost.
Due to its low price, glass wool was common even a few decades ago. But working with this material is very, very difficult - small prickly fibers penetrate into the smallest pores. Therefore, when working with glass wool, disposable tight clothing is required (no processing makes it possible to remove the remnants of fiberglass from the fabric), protective gloves, glasses, and a respirator.
It happens that when a bath is insulated with foam, mice start up in it. As for glass wool, it is unlikely that mice will have a desire to gnaw glass.
Judging by the reviews on the Internet, many believe that mice are not afraid of glass wool and live well in it. Most likely, people mistake stone wool or slag wool for glass wool.
It is much easier to work with stone and slag wool - they are not so prickly and do not irritate the skin and mucous membranes, although a protective mask and gloves will not be superfluous. Recent studies indicate the release of formaldehyde from mineral wool, which is used as a binder. Therefore, with prolonged contact in a closed room, it is recommended to use protective masks or respirators.
Although none of the studies carried out has yet precisely proven the negative effects of mineral wool, they, depending on their composition, are classified in the world classification:
- To 3 safety group (there is no evidence of a carcinogenic effect) all types, except for ceramic fiber wool and glass wool from discontinuous fibers.
- Group 2 includes discontinuous glass wool and mineral wool from refractory ceramic fibers. For them, there is confirmed evidence of a carcinogenic hazard to animals.
Therefore, when choosing materials, it is advisable to choose trusted manufacturers who control the level of emissions of formaldehyde resins of their products (usually indicated on the packaging).
Characteristics and applications of mineral wool for bath insulation
Each of these materials has different characteristics and applications.
Glass wool
Glass wool can be used to insulate walls and ceilings. The operating temperature range is from -60 ° C to +450 ° C (+500 ° C is the threshold at which sintering of the fibers begins and the loss of thermal insulation properties). Thermal conductivity 0.030-0.052 W / m 2.
Glass wool has high elasticity and strength. When compressed, the thermal conductivity remains almost unchanged. The most unpleasant moment when working with glass wool is its causticity.
You can insulate the bath with glass wool outside and in the washing rooms, changing rooms, dressing rooms. In the steam room or openings near the stove, it cannot be laid - temperature conditions do not allow.
Glass wool - the cheapest type of mineral wool Slag wool
This material is produced from waste from the metallurgical industry. The charge from blast-furnace, open-hearth furnaces, waste from the production of non-ferrous metals are mixed in certain proportions, melted and drawn, obtaining long, thin fibers. There are two methods: using air currents (blowing) or centrifugal force. During transportation, storage and laying of slag wool, excessive pressing of the material must be avoided: the fibers are destroyed. You can not load this type of insulation during operation. This type of mineral wool can be used as a filler in the construction of frame houses, but only in dry rooms.
The slag wool has an even lower "working" temperature: up to +300 ° C. In addition, it is hygroscopic, so it cannot be used for insulating wet rooms in baths. Slag wool can be used to insulate the walls of the bath from the outside, but you will have to carefully consider moisture protection. And although this material is the cheapest of the mineral wool, its use for warming a bath is questionable: excessive measures to protect against moisture will easily "eat up" the savings when buying.
Slag wool is highly hygroscopic (absorbs moisture well) and does not tolerate high temperatures very well Stone wool
Stone wool (like basalt) is made from molten basalt, to which clay, limestone and dolomite and some other substances are added. They make the alloy more viscous, which allows for a thinner fiber. As a result, a material is obtained from thin basalt fiber (marked with BTV) - 5 - 15 microns thick, up to 50 mm long.
The fibers are very thin (as in glass wool and slag wool). A binder is required to give them strength and shape. Formaldehyde is used for these purposes. Manufacturers with the name strictly control its content, adhere to the technology. They guarantee safety in compliance with the operating conditions. These materials (made of fine fibers with a binder) are commonly referred to simply as mineral wool. Since formaldehyde is an unsafe substance, when choosing insulation for a bath or at home, it is better to buy products from a trusted manufacturer.
The main disadvantage of any type of stone wool is hygroscopicity. When wet, the thermal conductivity increases significantly (heat is retained worse). When the humidity rises by 5%, the thermal insulation properties deteriorate by 50%. After drying, the properties are partially restored. The situation is worse if the moisture in the cotton wool freezes. When defrosting, the insulation will simply crumble. So when using this insulation, special attention should be paid to hydro and vapor insulation, as well as ventilation: the penetrated water must be removed.
Despite such a significant drawback, it is stone wool that is used for thermal insulation of baths. There is simply no real substitute. They are either not suitable for their characteristics - like polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, or too expensive - like foam glass.
Therefore, the most optimal heater for a bath is stone mineral wool. It has the following characteristics:
- Withstands temperatures up to +600 ° C, there are materials whose working temperature is up to 1200-1400 ° C.
- Thermal conductivity 0.077-0.12 W / m 2.
- Does not burn and does not support combustion.
The video, using the example of Rockwool stone wool, demonstrates that it does not burn and does not form smoke even when heated with a gas burner.
Any kind of mineral wool does not support combustion. When the limiting temperatures are exceeded, the fibers fuse together, which entails a loss of insulating properties, but not combustion. It must also be said that mineral wool is resistant to formation, which is an undoubted advantage when used to insulate a bath.
Application area
Stone wool can be used to insulate the bath from the inside and outside, both the walls and the ceiling. The only difference is in the thickness of the layer. To insulate the ceiling of a bathhouse in a steam room, it is recommended to take a double layer of insulation, because the greatest amount of heat leaves the ceiling. The thickness of the required standing depends on the region as well as the wall material. For central Russia, 50 mm is most often taken on the walls, and a 100 mm layer on the ceiling of the steam room. In other rooms, 50 mm is sufficient for both walls and ceilings.
Foil-clad stone wool can also be used to insulate the ceiling and walls in the steam room. In this case, the number of layers of the insulation cake is reduced, its laying and fixation is easier (foil is used in the steam room as to prevent steam from penetrating inside the insulation).
In places of the highest temperature load (passage of the pipe through the roof, thermal insulation of the wall gap when firing the stove from the dressing room, etc.), it is necessary to use basalt mineral wool.
Basalt wool
The raw materials for its manufacture are basalt and rocks close to it, as well as for the production of conventional mineral wool. But in the production of basalt wool, no additives and binders are added to the rocks. It is also called super-thin (there is a designation STBF - super-thin basalt fiber). The thickness of the fibers in it is 1 - 3 mn, the length is more than 50 mm.
The strength of this fiber is sufficient to withstand high enough loads. Therefore, there is no need to use a binder during production. If you're looking for safe steam room insulation that won't emit formaldehyde, look for super-fine fiber basalt wool. One of the distinguishing characteristics is high heat resistance. They normally tolerate constant exposure to temperatures up to + 1000 ° C, intermittent temperatures up to + 1200 ° C. With alternating temperature loads, their properties do not change.
The disadvantage of this material is the high price. But to achieve the same heat-insulating effect, a smaller layer of material is required (less thermal conductivity of the material).
Looking at this table, it is easy enough to give an answer to the question: which is better - basalt or mineral wool. The answer is also unambiguous when comparing thin (BTF) and super-thin fibers (STBF).
Mineral wool brands for bath insulation and their application
For thermal insulation of horizontal unloaded surfaces, mineral wool with a density of 75 kg / m 3 ( grade P-75). This brand can be used to insulate the attic of a bath or in a roofing cake.
Mineral plates IZOVOL ("Izovol"). To insulate the bath from the inside, plates of the P-75 brand are suitable To insulate the walls of the bath outside and inside (any surfaces), it is recommended to use mats or rolls of mineral wool brand P-125... Higher density materials are not used in low-rise construction.
Any kind of mineral wool comes in the form of slabs or mats. All slabs must be impregnated with water repellent agents (hydrophobic impregnations).
Mineral wool slabs can be:
Manufacturers and materials
Since the production of mineral wool uses substances that can harm human health (although this has not been proven, but theoretically possible), it is advisable to buy it from trusted manufacturers. Very strict requirements for mineral wool manufacturers are adopted in Europe. Probably for this reason, the popular mineral wool Knauf, Rockwool, ISOVER, URSA, etc. But the most stringent requirements are adopted in Germany, because German materials are considered the safest.
TechnoNIKOL
A large corporation with 36 factories in different countries. It specializes in the production of roofing and thermal insulation materials. The range of mineral wool is very large. For private housing construction, three lines are used:
- ROCKLIGHT
- TECHNOBLOCK
- TECHNOACUSTIK
The scope of these materials is shown in the table.
Basalt wool with fire retardant properties in four positions:
The most acceptable option for thermal insulation of the steam room is TechnoNIKOL broaching mats - they do not contain phenols. In the production of the rest, a low-phenol binder was used (information from the manufacturer's website).
Knauff
This well-known German manufacturer has a different approach to assortment formation: materials are grouped according to areas of application. There are several versatile products that can be used on walls, roofs, floors, ceilings and partitions. These are KNAUF Premium Heat, KNAUF Insulation Thermo Stove 037, Knauf Home and Home Heat +, Knauf Cottage and Cottage Heat +. There are several narrow-profile materials:
Rockwool
This manufacturer is no less famous than Knauf. The assortment is extensive, the quality is not bad. The approach to the formation of the assortment is the same: there are universal and special materials. Universal ones are: LIGHT BATTS, LIGHT BATTS SCANDIC. There are a large number of specialized ones:
ISOVER (Isover)
This trade mark belongs to the Saint-Gobain group, has a considerable number of factories, one of which is located in Russia (Yegoryevsk). Therefore, the prices for the products are reasonable. This enterprise produces mineral wool based on fiberglass. The assortment is considerable. It's easier to present everything in a graphical form (look at the photo).
Separately, it should be said about the material for saunas: unlike other materials presented above, it has a fire safety class G1 (low-combustible). One side is covered with foil.
How to work with mineral wool
Slabs or mineral wool mats are cut with a hacksaw or a well-sharpened knife. When marking, add 0.5-1 cm to the required length. This will allow the material to adhere more tightly to the frame without the formation of cold bridges.
The material is fastened with dowels with a lining, special glue or just a bullet, sometimes fixed with lathing strips.
Special dowels ("fungi") for fixing heaters When fixing mineral wool with dowels, it is necessary to make sure that the insulation does not protrude too much, since if the layer of mineral wool is squeezed, its thermal insulation properties will decrease.
When using insulation of sufficient rigidity, it can be tightly installed in the crate without additional fastening. The process of laying insulation on the walls of the sauna is shown in the video.
conclusions
As a rule, during the construction of a bath, three rooms have to be insulated from the inside: a steam room, a washing room and a dressing room (rest room). Since the temperature in the washing and dressing room does not reach high values, mineral wool can be used to insulate them without any problems. As for the steam room, in which the temperature can exceed 70 degrees Celsius, you need to know that low-quality cotton wool, when heated, emits formaldehyde, which is harmful to health.
To find out what kind of insulation for the bathhouse on the walls, and for other structural elements there is, it is recommended to visit various construction sites on the Internet. The market is saturated with a variety of materials for insulation, and in order to make your choice, you need to study their complexion, service life, cost. Only in this way can you decide to purchase the desired insulation for the walls of the bath.
An example of warming a bath with expanded clay
Insulation for saunas and baths, which is to be chosen for the implementation of insulation, must have the following qualities:
- be combined with the materials used in the construction;
- be stably durable, not losing its qualities from temperature extremes;
- resist the formation of condensation and the development of destructive manifestations of a biological nature;
- be moisture resistant and have excellent insulating properties;
- contain environmentally friendly components and have a certificate confirming compliance with sanitary standards;
- create conditions for convenient installation and the likelihood of finishing with a heat insulator along the entire contour of the log house without cracks and holes.
Possibilities to achieve the perfect result
Effectiveness in arranging the best insulation can be achieved by combining several materials.
The process of insulating walls in a bath Some owners decide to build a "warm floor" system in the bathhouse, which will require a special insulation. For others, the following may apply:
- various granular backfills;
- lightweight extruded insulation;
- material consisting of fibers;
- specialized mats, plates, rolls;
- liquid insulation of polymer origin.
Various layers of polyethylene film, kraft paper used in the dressing room can also be used for insulation. A mixture prepared according to a folk recipe is suitable: sawdust mixed with clay or a similar composition. You should not use roofing felt and roofing felt as a heater, which emit harmful fumes.
Varieties of materials
To find out which insulation is better for a bath, you need to understand those that exist and make a choice. 
Conditionally available heaters can be divided into the following:
- inter-wedding;
- mineral;
- polymer;
- foil-clad.
Mezhventsovy heater for a bath
Representatives of natural insulation have long been used everywhere. These include: felt, jute, hemp, hemp and others. We can talk about these varieties - these are inter-row heat insulators. They are valuable because they have natural air exchange, antibacterial properties, are not subject to decay and perfectly seal the seams. In addition, the price of such materials is low.
Laying mezhventsovy heater for a bath The disadvantage of such heaters is the following: they can be chosen by various living microorganisms that exude the product, and it quickly becomes unprofitable. Fortunately, there are various pest control products available.
The purpose of such a heater
In order to know which type of insulation to choose, you need to decide: for what purposes it is needed. It is used to:
- preserve and strengthen the thermal insulation of wood and extend its service life;
- avoid the penetration of moisture and the development of harmful bacteria, insects;
- provide steam permeability.
Mezhventsovy insulation is placed between the logs, as well as around the windows and door frames.
Correctly selected material will give the bath room low thermal conductivity, non-blowing ability of the walls, a balanced balance of moisture absorption and evaporation. 
It is impossible to say unequivocally: what kind of insulation is better, everything is determined by the type of structure and the wishes of the customer.
Mineral-based sauna heater
The best insulation for a bath from a number of minerals is basalt wool, economical and convenient. It is produced in the form of stone wool mats. It can be used to insulate almost all components of the surfaces of the bath complex. Basalt-based material for thermal insulation of a bath has the following advantages:
Basalt-based insulation is the most used material for arranging the insulation of bath walls from the inside, floor, ceiling and other components of the structure.
Polymer heaters
Air, high-quality, rational in equipment heat-insulating materials based on polymer components withstand moisture and significant temperatures well. Among them are:
- plastic: polystyrene;
- honeycomb materials: cellular plastics;
- insulating: polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene.
The industrial representatives of these heaters produced today have in their composition fire retardants, which help to prevent ignition, attenuation of sparks that have fallen. The material is moisture resistant, effective in use. It can be used for floor insulation in a bath, for external cladding of a building. This group of heat insulators includes foam glass. This representative has signs of stone wool and foam. It is strong, does not lend itself to fire, and is waterproof.
An example of wall insulation in a bath with polystyrene foam It is very comfortable to work with it, sawing with tools, attaching to the right places.
What you need to know about polymers
In the case of using polymer heaters, do not forget about the presence of a constant layer, otherwise condensation will accumulate on the material. It is also necessary to know that when heated, phenol vapors are released from the foam, so it can only be used for the external decoration of the bathhouse.
Foil insulation
These materials are a good solution because they have a reflective surface that returns most of the heat. This allows a significant reduction in fuel consumption and the heating period of the steam room. In addition, such heaters have excellent operating characteristics:
Foil insulators are rarely used for outdoor work, they are used outside with or.
Types of foil insulation
There are such representatives for bath rooms:
Foil insulation in rolls 
It is recommended to combine various heaters for the bath, for example, to decorate the ceiling with foil, on fabric, and place insulation in rolls or basalt on the walls. Recommended heaters for different parts of the bath
Implementation of thermal insulation of walls
At the end of the construction of a block or brick building, it is necessary to produce. In addition, steam room insulation will be required. Then the walls and partitions in the bath are sheathed with Euro lining. This material has low thermal conductivity and contains some resin.
When preferring a heat insulator for the walls of a bath, it is recommended to prefer mineral wool. It is fire-resistant, tolerates strong heat well and creates conditions for long-term heat retention.
When laying it down, you must adhere to the following sequence:
Scheme of thermal insulation of walls in a bath - equipping a hydro-barrier using a specialized film;
- placement of mineral wool;
- laying foil to create a vapor barrier;
- sheathing with wooden clapboard or other selected material.
To make insulation cheaper, it is possible to use sawdust, chips, shavings mixed in a ratio of 10 to 1 with gypsum or lime. This mixture must be covered with a layer of 20 cm inside the sheathing.