What kind of foil to sheathe the bath. Which aluminum foil for a bath is best for

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In order for the generated heat from the boiler to remain in the steam room, foil for the bath must be used for insulation. HomeMyHome editors will tell you how to choose it, what are its performance characteristics and much more in today's publication. You will also learn about the advantages and disadvantages of this material.

Plain or backed foil can be used
PHOTO: banya-expert.com

The unfortunate builders have always believed that foil is useless. Nevertheless, this opinion is erroneous, and, with the right approach to its installation, a special effect can be achieved.

In fact, foil is a thin layer of aluminum. When attaching it to the walls under the wooden sheathing, all the heat generated by the boiler reaches the surface and is reflected back. Thus, all the heat energy remains in the room. This layer is used together with insulation or separately. The corresponding material is capable of reflecting about 97% of the heat generated.

PHOTO: skif53.ru

Related article:

Bath interior decoration. Photos and examples. In a separate publication you will find interesting ideas for decorating steam rooms and rest rooms, as well as learn the main stages of installation.

Reflector types and performance characteristics

There are several options for foil reflectors, which are usually used when arranging a modern steam room. Let's consider which of them are used in practice, which have operational features.

PHOTO: alibaba.com

Izolar craft foil: what kind of material, its characteristics

Kraft foil is a kind of aluminum sheet. It is manufactured with a seal that makes its structure simpler. Differs in the following technical features:

environmentally friendly material;
insulator thickness - 0.03-1.0 mm;
working temperature - 100 ° C;
reflectivity - 95%.

This material variation is very convenient for installation. It is characterized by increased strength compared to ordinary foil, which has no base.

PHOTO: m.bud.inforico.com.ua

Folmot cloth as an option for thermal insulation

Folded fabric is a special structured foil. It is designed for installation in the ceiling area of the steam room. The material is based on heat cloth and aluminum foil. The characteristics include:

width - 100 cm;
foil thickness - 11-35 microns;
working temperature - up to 500 ° С;
suitable for replacing fiberglass.

When heated, this material does not emit toxic substances and an unpleasant odor.

PHOTO: russian.alibaba.com

What is roll foil

As a rule, roll foil does not have a reinforcing base. It is a fairly thin material that easily tears and deforms. Its technical characteristics are:

thickness - 0.007 - 0.2 mm;
width - 100-150 mm;
operating temperature - 650 ° C;
thermal radiation - up to 97%.

Does not emit toxic substances, and also resists corrosion.

PHOTO: sanpol.ua

Foil polyethylene foam

The basis of this raw material is foamed polyethylene. They are trying to use it to retain heat energy in home-made baths and saunas from a wooden frame. Occasionally used for soundproofing cars. The main technical characteristics are as follows:

coating thickness - up to 15 microns;
has low dynamic resistance;
laying method - overlap by 10 cm;
holding of working temperature - 300 ° С.

To fix this material, special metallized tape and wooden slats are used.

PHOTO: russian.alibaba.com

Foil polystyrene foam

Material fitted with foil on both sides. Such a coating is able to prevent heat from leaving the room and prevents moisture from entering. Its features are:

porous or corrugated structure;
high resistance to external loads;
ease of installation and operation;
unpretentious care.

However, you should not nail the canvas with nails with a too large cross-section, as this may damage the insulating material and lose its quality.

PHOTO: stroy-podskazka.ru

Foil mineral mat in mats and rolls

Manufactured in the form of slabs and rolls. Differs in increased property of thermal insulation. Suitable for baths, saunas and industrial steam rooms due to its high temperature resistance. Material characteristics are as follows:

thickness - 5-100 mm;
variable length and width;
heat reflection - up to 97%;
operating temperature range - from -60 ° C to 300 ° C.

On a note! There are a large number of foil materials, one of the most expensive is the "ISOVER Sauna" heat insulator. It is suitable for use in specific conditions, as it has all the necessary characteristics.

PHOTO: uteplenieplus.ru

Advantages and disadvantages of the material

Foil usually always comes with a different type of insulation. It is rational to mount it in combination with glass wool and other denser materials. Subject to these conditions, the material will have the following advantages:

Vapor barrier and thermal insulation- due to this, hot steam does not pass into the middle of the insulating material, thereby preserving its properties, as well as the heat inside the room.
Fire safety... The material can withstand high temperatures and is non-flammable. Prevents the spread of fire to other walls.
Possessing good sound insulation properties... It suppresses noise from the street and from inside the steam room by almost 70%.
Reducing the heating time of the bath... Properly equipped interior wall insulation will help heat to fill and retain the steam room faster.

PHOTO: potolok-exp.ru

PHOTO: v-banyu.ru

Despite the large number of advantages, this material is not without its disadvantages. These include:

constant formation of condensation;
you can not do without ventilation equipment;
poor air penetration, which can cause dampness and mold;
the poisonous properties of aluminum (this metal is capable of heating up in the body).

Proper care of the room, its regular airing can reduce all the disadvantages to a minimum. Therefore, after each bath, do not forget to open doors, windows and vents.

PHOTO: deluxemm.ru

Which foil manufacturer can you trust

There are a sufficient number of brands on the building materials market that specialize in the production of foil insulation. Among all, three manufacturers can be distinguished.

Izolon... The concern is located in Izhevsk. Specializes in the manufacture of foil and plastics. For the production of insulation, special technologies are used. The material is produced both sewn and not sewn.
Penofol... This manufacturer produces a thin material with no backing. At the same time, the structure is sufficiently strong and reliable.
URSA... One of the leading manufacturers in Spain. He produces high quality insulation of various thicknesses and structures. This insulator is also sold in Russia.

When choosing a brand, attention is paid to those brands that promise high quality and compliance with all GOSTs.

PHOTO: klevo.net

Rules for choosing a foil for a bath

Having studied all the possible options and characteristics of foil-clad materials, you can make the right choice. To do this, you need to consider a few simple criteria.

As for the thickness of the material, it all depends on how much the bath needs insulation. If the room needs to be insulated from the loss of thermal energy, then you can do with the usual thin heat-resistant foil.

PHOTO: proraboff.rf

Foil for a brick bath

Brick walls do not have good thermal insulation, as they have gaps between the seams. For such premises, foil-clad canvas is used throughout the entire area. Fits directly onto partitions. A small space is left, after which the crate and sheathing are made. Therefore, it is better to buy material with a thick backing.

PHOTO: expertbani.ru

In a steam room with concrete walls

The usual aluminum modification is not suitable here. In this case, it is better to use options with some kind of substrate. This allows you to achieve effective vapor barrier, reduce the risk of dampness in the walls.

PHOTO: proraboff.rf

PHOTO: m-strana.ru

Popular insulating foil models

Many people prefer not so much the brand as the version of the material they like. It is often chosen for its appearance and performance. The HomeMyHome editorial board offers an overview of decent models.

Model	Characteristic	Price as of October 2019, RUB
ELTETE (reinforced foil)	· Roll; · Dimensions 1.25 × 24 m; · Area 20; Reflectivity 97%	1900
Foil for a bath 100 microns	· Roll of 100 m²; · Reflectivity 97%; · Is not a heater	1200
Alukraft - foil	· Creates a vapor barrier; · Density 0.12 kg / m³; · Reflectivity up to 97%.	417
Foil on paper base	· Dimensions 1.2 × 25 m; · Area 32 m²; Suitable for installation on walls and insulation	1100
Mosfol type A insulation - foil	· One-sided foil and insulation; · Dimensions: 1.2 × 25 m²; · Thickness 3 mm; · Operating temperature -60 ° С - + 100 ° С; Foamed polyethylene	35

It is clear how to attach the foil to the walls of the steam room. However, the following tips should not be neglected.

For the installation of insulation, it is necessary to install a separate crate.
Thick enough foil sheets are best glued joint to joint using aluminum tape.
Damaged canvases must be sealed with the same tape.
Insulation and cladding should not be done close to each other. It is important to leave a distance of at least 3 cm between the materials.
Insulation near the windows must be measured close, and after installation, paste over with sealed tape around the perimeter of the frame.

PHOTO: kakpotolok.ru

PHOTO: uteplix.com

PHOTO: kubankrovmontag.ru

Observe the installation requirements and be guided by the performance characteristics of the material when using it. Also ask questions about the topic of the publication and do not forget to rate the article.

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Let's start with the fact that many do not know at all whether foil is needed for a bath. The question is relevant for most of the owners of country houses. If you believe the professionals, then the foil must be used when decorating the bath, since the inside requires a fairly high temperature, which, in addition, must also hold for a long time. It is for this reason that the ceiling and walls are covered with insulating material that prevents heat energy from escaping outside the room. In almost all cases, the "cake" that is formed on the inner surfaces of the bath for the purpose of insulation includes aluminum foil. The latter, in turn, is produced in several versions at once.

Be that as it may, we note that the foil recommended by some people for use in the bathhouse is categorically denied by others, and the dispute between the parties has not subsided for a long time. That is why we have to figure out whether the foil is really so necessary or can we refuse it? In parallel, we will find out what this material is, what it can be, how much it costs and how to properly perform the installation for maximum efficiency of the insulation layer.

And now, having familiarized yourself with the features and main varieties of the material described in the article, you can begin to consider some of the popular brands. For the convenience of visitors, the information below is presented in the form of a small pivot table.

The price of foil for warming a bath

Table. Popular foil heat insulators for a bath.

Name, photo	Characteristics, description	Average market value, in rubles
1. "Annealed" foil	A fairly soft material, the thickness of which is 100 microns. Sold in rolls of 10 square meters. As for the total length of one roll, it is equal to 10 meters. Complies with GOST.	From 1400 rub. (for one roll)
2. "Isover Sauna"	The aforementioned brand of insulation 5 centimeters thick is also sold in rolls 12.5 meters long. The total area of one roll is 15 square meters. It is characterized by the fact that it also has soundproofing properties.	From 2200 rub. (for one roll)
3. "PARK MAT ALUCOAT 35"	Quality Finnish heat insulator, still sold in rolls. The thickness of this material is 3 centimeters, and the length of one roll is only 8 meters. In addition, the total area of one roll of insulation is 7.2 square meters.	RUB 1800 (for one roll)
4. "Rockwool Sauna Butts"	And this is already foil mineral wool, which is sold in plates. The thickness of this material is 5 centimeters, and the dimensions of one slab are 60x100 centimeters (WxL). The total area of one slab is 0.6 square meters.	750 RUB per package (8 plates)
5. URSA GEO M-11F	High-quality roll insulation - foil-coated mineral wool. Characteristically, this bath foil lined with kraft paper. The thickness is 5 centimeters, and the length of one roll is 12.5 meters. The optimum operating temperature is +270 degrees.	RUB 2100 (for one roll)

As you can see, the cost of foil varies and depends not only on the variety, but also on the specific manufacturer.

Is a foil layer in a bath really needed?

As a rule, baths today are insulated with thin foil (thickness varies within 30-300 microns). Tellingly, the aluminum layer can either be applied directly to a heat insulator or kraft paper, or sold separately for later use in tandem with other insulation materials.

Those who are against the use of foil claim that there is no use for it, since its thermal conductivity is high enough, and therefore it is simply unable to retain heat inside the room. Opponents of this method believe that buying / installing a foil-clad thermal insulator is just a waste of money. Note that this is partly true, because the use of foil can only be effective if it is installed correctly.

That is why the room, during the decoration of which the foil for the bath was used, heats up faster and retains heat longer. Therefore, it would be quite logical to conclude that it will be more comfortable to take a steam bath in such a bath, while heating costs will noticeably decrease.

The main advantages of foil for a bath

In view of the operational and climatic features of the bath room, a number of requirements can be distinguished, which must be met by the used aluminum foil:

high moisture and vapor resistance;
adequate thermal conductivity;
fire resistance;
high reflectivity (from 95 to 98 percent), which is obtained due to the special polishing of the outer layer;
excellent anti-corrosion properties.

As we have already found out, high vapor barrier characteristics prevent the escape of heated steam from the room, while it will not accumulate in the coating.

In addition, aluminum foil for a bath has other advantages:

it does not deform and does not lose its original properties;
it protects adjacent premises, if any;
the material is plastic, even if it is exposed to high temperatures for a long time;
it is highly resistant to chemicals;
does not emit harmful gases and compounds;
hygienic, durable;
resistant to UV radiation;
extremely easy to install.

Note! If the foil is handled carefully, even the thinnest sheets will not tear and deform. But in any case, it is necessary to purchase the material with a small margin (at least 5 percent).

The maximum temperature that the foil can withstand can reach 145 degrees. Thanks to the creation of the so-called thermos effect, the heat remains inside for about 2.5 hours longer. We also note that the material can be used both for walls and for floors and ceilings (that is, it is universal), and does not need any special treatment with fungicides at all.

What to look for when choosing a foil for a bath?

If you intend to purchase a suitable foil, you must take into account several factors that affect the durability of the material, ease of installation, and future efficiency. Let's consider the main selection criteria in more detail.

Key varieties of foil heat insulators for baths

There are many types of foil, as well as combined insulation materials in which it is present, and they all differ not only in cost, but also in different characteristics. We will consider today only the most common of the materials.

Option number 1. Roll foil (no base)

This material is quite thin, and its strength can hardly be considered high. The thickness of such insulation can reach 0.2 millimeters, while the width varies between 100-150 centimeters. The material is sold, as you might guess from the name, in rolls 5-20 meters long. Used for wall mounting on top of an existing base thermal insulator. It must be fastened with an overlap, and the joints must be glued with metallized tape to obtain the most sealed reflective coating.

Note! The material can be used at a temperature of no more than +650 degrees, so the foil-trimmed steam room will quickly warm up and keep warm for a long time.

In addition, such foil is resistant to corrosive processes, and does not emit any toxic substances when heated.

Option number 2. Kraft foil

It is made with a paper base or, which is preferable, in a three-layer design (paper - foil - PE), also known as Izolan. The strength is quite high, the material can be laid on top of the timber without using an additional heat insulator (provided that the walls are well caulked). The material is environmentally friendly, its thickness can be up to 1 centimeter. It can be operated at a temperature of no more than +100 degrees. Installation requirements are the same as in the previous case, however, it is more convenient to work with such material, since it is more durable and does not wrinkle so much.

Option number 3. Folard

In this case, we are talking about a vapor barrier, which can consist of one / two layers of foil-clad material, as well as of a reinforcing fiberglass mesh (the cells of the latter are 4x4 millimeters). This kind of reinforcement allows the material to retain all its original characteristics even at temperatures from -60 to +300 degrees! This material is also environmentally friendly, capable of withstanding considerable loads (including of a mechanical nature). It is produced in several varieties. Sold in rolls 100 centimeters wide and 50 meters long.

Option number 4. Folgoizolon

The next, so to speak, foil for a bath is foamed PE with a foil coating. Sold in sheets / rolls, may have different thicknesses. A very durable material that can be installed without using the main insulation. It can be used not only for log walls (as the main heat insulator), but also for concrete / brick walls (as an auxiliary one). The maximum permissible operating temperature is about +125 degrees, the dimensions (WxDxT) are 60x120x2x11 centimeters. It is easy to cut the material, as well as mount it to the lathing, but at the same time it does not deform.

Option number 5. Foil mineral wool

The last type of foil that we will look at today. Sold in slabs and rolls, the thickness varies between 0.5-10 centimeters. The sizes can be different, and here a lot depends on the specific manufacturer. Excellent reflectivity - up to 97 percent, maximum permissible temperature - +300 degrees.

Note! There are many types of foil mineral wool, but one of the most popular (at least in Russia) is Isover Sauna, which has all the properties that the specifics of this room require.

Video - Heat insulators "Rockwool" for a bath

Key features of insulation: what you need to know?

Before proceeding directly to the insulation, you should learn about the rules for its implementation, as well as about what you should definitely pay attention to. So that the foil takes part in maintaining the required indoor climate, consider the following important points.

The room must have good ventilation. Otherwise, all the insulating layers will be saturated with moisture and lose their original characteristics. The foil-clad material itself will become simply useless.
There should be ventilation gaps between the finishing material and the insulation layers.
Fasten all layers correctly, in accordance with the requirements, also do not forget to seal the joints between the sheets.

Remember that if you do not fulfill at least one of the listed requirements, then, probably, all your efforts will be wasted, and the final thermal and sound insulation properties of the foil will be practically zero.

What should be the thickness of the thermal insulation in the bath?

Much depends on the thickness of the walls, as well as on the material from which they are made. So, for brick / concrete walls with a thickness of 25 to 35 centimeters, it is necessary to use a heat insulator with a thickness of 10-15 centimeters. For the same walls, but with a thickness of more than 35 centimeters - within 8-10 centimeters. If we are talking about wooden walls 10-15 centimeters thick, then the thickness of the heat insulator should be about 6-8 centimeters, if 15-20 - then about 4-6 centimeters, finally, if over 20 - then about 2-4 centimeters ... As you can see, there is nothing complicated here, so we go directly to the installation work.

Step-by-step instructions for warming a bath

To begin with, we note that if the steam room is small, then there will be enough foil in rolls or craft foil, the thickness of which is at least 0.3 centimeters. But if the steam room is quite large, then it is better to give preference to materials based on mineral wool. Also, be sure to think over how the condensate will be discharged: if the ceiling is insulated, then the foil from it must be taken out to the walls, and if the latter are insulated, then on the floor. In this case, the overlap should be about 15-20 centimeters, and all joints, we repeat, should be glued with metallized tape.

Note! Do not forget about the ventilation gap between the insulating layer and the finish (about 1.3-1.8 centimeters). In this case, you will achieve a healthy indoor climate.

The installation process itself does not represent anything complicated and consists of several simple steps. Let's consider the features of each of them in more detail.

Step one... First, build a crate on the walls using a 5x5 centimeters bar for it. As for the step of the lathing, in this case it depends on the width of the insulation. If it is 60-120 centimeters, then the step, respectively, should be 60 centimeters; for foil, the width of which is 100-150 centimeters, it is 50. For fixing the bars, use self-tapping screws of suitable length.

Step two... Place an insulating material between the battens of the sheathing. Try to do this in such a way that the heat insulator does not go beyond the level of the planks.

Step three... When the main insulation is installed, lay a foil covering on top of it, without fail placing the latter with a reflective layer inside the room. To seal the joints between the sheets, you can use metallized tape, but remember that the glue, being under prolonged exposure to high temperatures, softens, which means that the canvases may well disperse, which leads to a violation of the tightness of the entire coating.

It is desirable that bath foil fixed with nails or staples - the latter should be nailed directly to the bars. And if the width of the foil is large enough, then it should be fixed both at the edges and in the center.

Step four... Sheathe the fixed foil with clapboard, while not forgetting about the air gap 1.5 centimeters thick. This layer is necessary in order to reduce the thermal conductivity of the foil in order to limit the reflection of all rays that hit the coating back into the room. Getting this kind of air "pocket" is possible thanks to the construction of a wooden lathing under the lining. For this lathing, try to use bars, the thickness of which is within 1-2 centimeters, and for fixing use all the same screws.

Sometimes the crate can be built on top of the insulating layer - in this case, the foil will be filled immediately over the entire area of the steam room, even on the beams. If so, then there is no particular need to create air "pockets", and the lining can be fixed directly on the crate. However, practice shows that the use of combined materials, including a foil layer, is preferable not only in economic terms, but also because of the significant simplification of all installation work.

Video - Decorating a steam room in a bath

Thanks to the use of foil when decorating the steam room, you can save from 25 to 30 percent on fuel for the stove, in addition, the service life of the entire structure will noticeably increase, as you prevent the development of mold, fungi and all kinds of microorganisms that are harmful to health ...

Video - How to sheathe a steam room in a bath with foil

Features of bath ventilation

As noted earlier, the arrangement of a high-quality ventilation system is imperative for the normal functioning of the thermal insulation cake. This should be taken care of in advance - even before proceeding directly to the insulation. There are several layouts of ventilation holes at once, let's take a brief look at each of them.

The first

This is the circuit indicated in the illustration above with the letter "a". This is natural ventilation, the supply outlet for it is arranged at the bottom of the wall next to the heating device, and the exhaust outlet is located on top of the opposite one. The option is simple, but its effectiveness is poor. For example, some people open doors to increase ventilation.

The second

Option "b", in which both vents are located on the same wall, and the heater is located on the opposite one. Suitable for saunas with one outer wall. A fan (in the inlet) is used to strengthen the system.

The third

As for the "c" option, it must be implemented even during the construction of the bath, since the air in this case will move under the final floor. The location of the ventilation windows is the same as in version 1, but the fan should be placed already in the exhaust opening (the one on top). Quite an effective system, it is worth noting.

Fourth

Finally, the "g" scheme is effective only when the stove is fired. There is only one hole here - the supply one - and it is located on the wall opposite from the heater.

As a result, we note that the dimensions of the ventilation openings depend on the specific area of the room. So, for every square meter of the steam room there should be at least 24 square centimeters. That's all, good luck with your work!

Foil for a bath, which one is better to choose, and is it needed at all? This question arises for all owners of suburban areas who decide to acquire their own steam room. Experts consider foil to be one of the most important materials for decorating bath rooms, since they must quickly gain the required temperature and keep warm for a long time.

For this purpose, insulation is mounted on the surface of the walls and ceiling, which will block the exit paths for the generated heat outside the bath. Almost always, the traditional insulation "cake" created on the inner surfaces of this structure includes aluminum foil, produced in different versions.

However, we have to admit that this material, which is welcomed by some users, is completely denied by others, and there is an irreconcilable dispute between these "camps". Therefore, it is worth figuring out how necessary this thermal insulation material is, or whether you can do without it. At the same time, let's see how the installation should be done so that the created insulation layer works properly.

Do you need a foil layer?

Usually a thin layer of aluminum foil is used, the thickness of which is on average from 30 to 300 microns. It can be applied on kraft paper, directly on the insulation material, or it can be separated from them and used with other thermal insulators in combination.

Opponents of the use of foil argue that there is no benefit from it, since aluminum has a high thermal conductivity and therefore is not able to retain heat in the room - it will freely go outside. In their opinion, it turns out that the purchase and installation of foil-clad material is a waste of money and effort. It should be noted that to some extent this is completely true, since the foil will "work" only if its installation is carried out according to all the rules.

The high thermal conductivity of aluminum foil will manifest itself negatively if it is attached directly to a cold wall, built of materials such as brick, concrete or foam concrete, without an additional insulation layer between them.

Secondly, in addition to the high thermal conductivity of the material due to its structure, which is unable to keep the heated air inside the premises of the bath, there are other methods of heat transfer - this is convention and infrared radiation. Thus, a hot stove releases the generated heat into rooms mainly in the form of infrared rays, which heat the surfaces when absorbed.

When heat rays hit a layer of aluminum foil, they are not absorbed by it, but are reflected from it back into the room. Thus, the thermal energy is not wasted on heating the walls, but is useful inside. Therefore, it follows that the foil retains heat not due to its thickness or the structure of the material structure, but due to the creation of a reflective surface. Moreover, it should be noted that it is capable of reflecting up to 97% of the heat released by the furnace.

Thirdly, foil is an excellent vapor barrier for insulation laid on the surface of the walls. It creates an airtight coating that does not allow moisture to pass through, therefore, prevents heated steam from escaping through the walls and ceiling. This not only contributes to the preservation of heat in the room - the vapor barrier prevents the insulation from being saturated with moisture and from this losing its thermal insulation qualities

Therefore, sheathed with an insulating material and supplemented with a foil layer, it heats up quickly and retains heat longer. The logical conclusion is that in such a room it will be more comfortable to take bath procedures, despite the fact that the cost of fuel or energy will be much less.

Criteria for choosing a foil for a bath

To determine the choice, first of all, it is necessary to take into account some factors that affect the efficiency of the material, the ease of installation of the canvases and the durability of operation. These criteria include the following points:

Foil with a backing is much easier to attach to the crate, since the likelihood of damage becomes much lower. Therefore, purchasing such material is much more practical.

Materials such as mineral wool, expanded polyethylene or kraft paper can be used as a substrate for this thermal insulator. In addition, a foil reinforced with fiberglass mesh is available for sale, which has a thickness slightly higher than that of a material without a base.

Foil for a bath

For the bath conditions, it is very important that the wall decoration is resistant to high temperatures. This indicator should not be lower than + 100 degrees. The material for the bath must be resistant to sudden changes in temperature, and rolled foil, even without a base, or having one, fully meets this criterion.
High-quality foil-clad material should be distinguished by high reflectivity, amounting to at least 95 ÷ 97%, since the preservation of heat in the premises of the bath will directly depend on this parameter.
If, then high thermal resistance values should also be assessed.
The vapor permeability of the foil layer should not exceed 0.01 g / m² in 24 hours.
The strength properties of the material are important from the point of view of ease of installation.
A very important criterion is the environmental friendliness of the foil material. When heated to high temperatures, it should not emit toxic substances.
Of course, the durability of the foil-clad material should be assessed - what guarantees the manufacturer gives for it, and how consumers respond about it.

Varieties of foil-clad materials for thermal insulation of a bath

So, there are many varieties of foil and foil materials that differ in their properties. The table below shows the most popular of them:

Illustration	Name and main characteristics of the material
	Unsupported roll foil is a thin material that is not particularly tear-resistant. It is produced in thickness from 0.007 to 0.2 mm, in rolls of 5, 10 or 20 meters, width from 1000 to 1500 mm. A base foil is used for installation on the walls of bath rooms, on top of a previously installed insulation. The fabrics of the material are fixed with an overlap, and their joints are necessarily glued with metallized tape, forming a sealed reflective surface. The operating temperature limit for foil reaches +650 ° C. The ability to reflect thermal radiation is up to 97%, so the foil is able to provide rapid heating of the steam room and maintain a comfortable temperature in it for a long time. The material is resistant to corrosion and does not emit toxic substances when heated.
	Kraft foil is produced on a paper basis, as well as in a three-layer version consisting of foil, kraft paper and polyethylene - this material is called Izolar. Kraft foil has good strength characteristics and can be used for fixing on well caulked timber walls without additional use of insulation. Kraft foil is an environmentally friendly material, as it does not emit toxic fumes when heated. The thickness of this insulator ranges from 0.03 to 1.0 mm. Working temperature - up to 100 degrees. With proper installation and gluing the joints with metallized tape, the material creates an airtight, well-reflecting heat layer - the reflectivity reaches 95%. The material is more convenient to install in comparison with base foil, since it is less wrinkled and tear-resistant.
	Folar is a vapor barrier consisting of one or two layers of aluminum foil, between which a fiberglass mesh with 4 × 4 mm cells is laid, which is an element reinforcing the fabric. Due to this strengthening, the foil insulator retains its qualities even in the temperature range from -60 to 300 degrees. Folar is an environmentally friendly material that does not contain carcinogens and allergens; it can withstand high loads, including mechanical ones. Such material is produced in three types: - "A" - sheets with one-sided foil and working temperature from -40 to +150 degrees; - "B" - canvases with double-sided foil and working temperature from -40 to +300 degrees; - "C" - sheets with a one-sided foil coating and an adhesive base for fixing on flat surfaces of walls, ceilings and floors. Working temperature from -40 to +80 degrees. Standard roll parameters - length 50 m, width 1000 mm.
	"Folgoizolon" is a foamed polyethylene with a foil coating. It is produced and marketed in rolls or sheets, depending on its thickness. This insulation has high strength, shock absorption and sound insulation characteristics. Since such canvases (sheets) can have a fairly large thickness, they are often fixed to the surface without additional thermal insulation materials, provided that certain conditions are met during the arrangement of the room. "Folgoizolon" is used to insulate log surfaces, as the main heat insulator, or concrete and brick walls, as an additional layer to the main insulation, installed between the lathing bars under the clapboard sheathing. Material sheets have the following parameters: - thickness - 20 ÷ 110 mm; - length 1200 mm, - width - 600 mm. Rolls: - thickness - 2 ÷ 10 mm; - length - 25 ÷ 30 m, - width - 1000 ÷ 1200 mm. Operating temperature range - up to + 100 ÷ 125 degrees. The material does not deform, it is easy to cut and fixed on a wooden crate with staples and a stapler, and on a metal profile using double-sided tape.
	Foil mineral wool is produced in rolls and slabs with a thickness of 5 to 100 mm. The material can have different lengths and widths - these parameters may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The reflectivity of the material reaches 97%, the working temperature is from -60 to 300 degrees. There are many varieties of foil mineral wool, and one of the most popular in the Russian market from this line of materials is a basalt heat insulator for baths "ISOVER Sauna", which has all the qualities necessary for such specific operating conditions.

Video: foil mineral wool slabs "ROCKWOOL Sauna Butts"

How to carry out the insulation correctly?

Before moving on to insulation measures, you need to find out how to carry them out correctly, and what should be foreseen in this case.

In order for the aluminum layer to participate in maintaining the required microclimate properly, as intended by the manufacturer, the following points must be taken into account:

Mandatory arrangement of ventilation of the bathhouse. Otherwise, all the insulation layers will be saturated with moisture and lose their thermal insulation qualities, and the foil will become simply useless.
Compliance with the parameters of the thickness of the insulation in relation to the thickness and material from which the walls are removed.
Correct fixing of layers of insulation and foil material and sealing of joints between sheets.
Formation of ventilation gaps between layers of insulation and decoration.

We must not forget that failure to fulfill even one of the listed conditions is fraught with the fact that all the efforts made during the installation of materials will be wasted, as well as the vapor barrier and heat-reflecting qualities of foil insulation will be reduced to zero.

Bath room ventilation

Correctly organized ventilation system of the steam room is one of the basic conditions that are necessary for the correct functioning of thermal insulation. Ventilation is planned in advance before starting insulation operations. There are four main schemes for the location of ventilation openings in rooms with high humidity and, accordingly, the distribution of air flows, with a prerequisite for maintaining an optimal temperature regime.

The first option, shown in the diagram under the letter "a", is a natural ventilation system. For her, holes are arranged on opposite walls of the room:

- in the lower part of the wall, next to the stove, an inlet is made;

- on the opposite wall, in its upper part - an exhaust window. It is advisable to place the exhaust window behind the partition, so that a direct draft does not arise in the steam room.

Both windows must necessarily have doors regulating the air inflow and outflow.

This option can be called the easiest to set up, but not effective enough. The air stream entering the inlet heats up immediately, passing by the stove, and then it immediately rises to the ceiling and goes into the hood. As a result, there is no proper ventilation of the room, since the air masses move along the same path, not covering the far corners of the steam room. That is why it is better to place the exhaust window behind the partition.

It will be necessary to strengthen such ventilation after the adoption of procedures at the expense of an open door.

The second diagram (b) represents a ventilation system in which both the inlet and outlet openings are on the same wall, and the oven is installed near the opposite. Such ventilation is usually arranged if the bath has one external wall, in which ventilation windows are mounted. In this version, the ventilation system is strengthened by a fan, which is installed in the lower intake opening, therefore it is called forced. The fan makes the flow of air into the room more intense, so its flows are divided and cover most of the steam room.

A more efficient way to ventilate the steam room: the inlet is located at the bottom behind the stove, the exhaust outlet is on the wall opposite, but not at the top, but below. In this case, the exhaust opening must be equipped with a fan. With this arrangement of vents in the steam room, cold air heats up from the stove, rises up, cools down there, and goes down.

The third option (c) is implemented during the construction of the bath, as it involves the passage of air under a "clean" floor. In this case, the ventilation windows are located in the same way as in the first version, that is, on opposite walls, but the fan is installed in the upper exhaust ventilation window. In addition, the air flows are separated by the holes in the floor and the gap between the opposite wall and the “clean” floor surface, since this design creates additional traction. Such a system can be called effective, since the fumes do not have time to settle in large quantities on the walls and ceiling.
The fourth system (d) will work only during the heating of the furnace. When arranging it, only one inlet is made, which is located on the wall opposite the stove. In this version, hot air from the stove rises up, then, cooling down, goes down, mixes with the incoming cold air, and is discharged through the blower door.

There is another system in which the exhaust air is removed through the blower. It is positioned in such a way that the blowing hole is below the level of the "clean" floor, and an air inlet is arranged in the upper part of the foundation, which will be located in the space between the "black" and "clean" floors. So, the air entering through the hole in the foundation will provide ventilation not only for the underground space, but also for the gaps between the foil and the facing material of the bath room.

Ventilation windows must be sized in proportion to the area of the steam room. So, on 1m² of the ventilated area, the window must have at least 24 cm².

Foil insulation

Correct ventilation of the bath is the key to its long-term operation!

More detailed information about all the nuances of the arrangement can be obtained from a special publication of our portal.

Thickness of walls and applied insulation

The effect of the foil-clad material will also depend on how correctly the thickness of the insulation for the walls of the bath is chosen. In order to determine this parameter, you can use this table:

Wall material	Steam room wall thickness, mm	Insulation thickness (recommended), mm
Concrete, brick	350 ÷ 370 and more	80 ÷ 100
Concrete, brick	250 ÷ 350	100 ÷ 150
Wooden blockhouse	100 ÷ 150	60 ÷ 80
Wooden blockhouse	150 ÷ 200	40 ÷ 60
Wooden blockhouse	Over 200	20 ÷ 40

It should be understood that the specified thickness of insulation is precisely for a bath, that is, for a short-term reception of bath procedures, and with the obligatory use of a foil reflective layer directed inside the premises. For premises of permanent residence of people, the criteria for choosing the thickness of the insulation will be different. And there you can no longer do without calculations.

How to determine the thickness of the insulation of the outer walls of a residential building?

There is a very accessible and convenient algorithm for calculating the thermal performance of a wall. With all the details, it is set out in the article of our portal dedicated to. There is also a convenient calculator for independent calculations.

Thermal insulation of bath walls using foil-clad materials

Correctly mounted on the walls and ceiling of the bath "insulating pies" directly affect how comfortable the atmosphere in the premises will be. In addition, a violation of the technology of thermal insulation can render not only the insulation itself unusable, but also the walls of the building.

The order of installation of the insulation system may differ slightly - depending on the material from which the walls of the bath are built.

Thermal insulation of a bath - a wooden frame

Wood has a low thermal conductivity and a high ability to keep warm inside a log house, provided that the joints of the logs or beams are caulked of high quality. Therefore, there is a technology for insulating a bath from this material.

1 - Log wall.

2 - Foil-clad polyethylene.

3 - Lathing from a bar.

4 - - wooden lining or tongue-and-groove board.

Work on securing materials is carried out in the following order:

Illustration
	Foamed foil-clad polyethylene or even base foil is stretched on the walls insulated with caulking and fixed with a stapler and staples. The canvases of the material are fastened with a reflective coating inside the room with an overlap of 150 ÷ 200 mm. If a heater is chosen that has a sufficiently large thickness - 10 ÷ 15 mm, then in this case, the sheets are fixed end-to-end, without gaps.
	When securing foil-clad material, it is necessary to constantly monitor its integrity, since even minor damage can disrupt the intended effect of insulation and vapor barrier. If the material has been accidentally damaged, it must be immediately sealed with special foil tape. In the next step, all the canvases along the line of overlaps or joints are glued with the same tape, so as to create an airtight coating over the entire area of the wall.
	From above, on foil insulation, slats with a section of 30 × 50 mm are fixed. They can be installed vertically or horizontally, depending on how you plan to mount the lining boards: in any case - perpendicular to the inner lining.
	Finishing is attached to the arranged lathing. There must be a ventilation gap between it and the foil surface, which, in fact, is set by the battens of the lathing - 30 mm.

All operations on the internal insulation of bath rooms are carried out only after shrinkage and secondary caulking, otherwise deformation of the finish and insulation rupture may occur.

Video: using foil to insulate a wooden bath

Thermal insulation of brick or concrete walls of a bath

Insulation of cold walls made of bricks, concrete, as well as foam concrete blocks is somewhat different from similar operations with wooden structures, and is carried out as follows:

Illustration	Brief description of the performed operation
	At the first step, the walls are marked, and the lathing bars are fixed on them, with a sectional thickness equal to the thickness of the insulation, since it must stand flush between the timber. Moreover, if it is planned to install the lining vertically, then the bar is also attached vertically, since to fix the sheathing after fixing the foil, another row of counter-lattice bars will be installed, perpendicular to the already installed ones. The bars of the frame guides are fastened at a distance from each other, which will also allow the plates of insulation material to be placed as tightly as possible between them.
	If ventilation windows or openings are installed on the walls, it is imperative to fix bars of the same cross-sectional size as the other elements of the crate around them, since foil will also need to be fixed around them.
	Further, an insulating material is installed between the bars. For the bath, modified hydrophobic basalt wool is most often used, for example, the vapor-permeable and water-resistant Rockwool insulation.
	The next step is to close the insulation with one of the types of foil-clad material - it can be ordinary foil without a backing or foamed foil-clad polyethylene. The fixing of the foil to the lathing bars is carried out using staples and a stapler. If the foil canvases are fixed horizontally, then its installation starts from the floor. If the foil has a small thickness, then its second strip is superimposed on the lower one with an overlap of 150 ÷ 200 mm. With a thickness of foil-clad material of 10 ÷ 15 mm, the canvases are mounted end-to-end, as when mounting on a wooden wall.
	Foil should also be well secured around ventilation openings and windows by nailing it to pre-assembled blocks. If possible, it is advisable to hermetically glue the edge of the foil around the holes or windows with tape.
	Foil sheets are fastened together at the joints with metallized tape. If the surfaces of the walls and ceiling are insulated, then it is recommended that a part of the sheet, about 200 ÷ 300 mm, mounted on the ceiling, be lowered onto the wall so that the joint between the two planes is hermetically closed.
	On top of the foil, slats with a thickness of 20 ÷ 25 mm and a width of 40 ÷ 50 mm are fixed, which will fix the foil and insulation, create a gap between the foil and the cladding, and also serve as a crate for further installation of the lining.
	In the next step, the lathing is sheathed with clapboard, but you need to make sure that a distance of at least 20 ÷ 25 mm is maintained between the clapboard and the foil. This space is necessary to ensure effective ventilation and evaporation of condensate formed after each bathing procedure.

In conclusion, I would like to note again that foil will become an excellent barrier against moisture penetration into wall structures and ceilings, will help maintain a comfortable temperature in the steam room, but, of course, subject to all technological rules for its use when insulating the walls and ceiling of the bath. Therefore, there is absolutely no need to doubt its necessity.

In our time, cladding with paired aluminum foil is very popular. What are the advantages of this material, why is it best to choose foil? Let's try to figure it out.

Firstly, a steam room is a room that is used to treat many diseases, including diseases of the respiratory system. Therefore, for covering the steam room, you can only use materials that do not emit toxins and other harmful substances under the influence of steam. Foil is such a material.

Secondly, with this method of sheathing, condensation on the walls of the steam room - that is, on wood sheathing - does not happen, and the wood does not deteriorate.

Third, the foil retains its structure and shape even when heated to the highest degree, whereas other materials can deform when heated.

Fourthly, such a room heats up much faster than any other, in the steam room, which is sheathed with foil, the warm steam is retained for as long as possible, so the bath procedures can be continued as long as needed with minimal fuel consumption. Foil has a reflective effect, it is because of it that the heat remains for so long.

And finally, fifthly, the foil does not allow moisture to pass through. Therefore, the insulation under it will not suffer from hot steam, which means that your steam room will serve you for a very long time.

What kind of foil is there?

If you decide to sheathe a steam room with foil, you need to learn about the types of foil and about the features of such a coating.

Most often sheathed with aluminum foil.

Its type is determined by the presence of additives.

Foil can be plain, fabric and foil paper. The best foil for a steam room is simple, which can withstand very high temperatures. A sheet of such a foil has a thickness of 0.03 to 0.3 mm. This is quite enough for such a sheathing to endure all the necessary loads. Of course, thicker foil is better. The foil must contain at least 99 and a half percent of aluminum. Ten square meters of such material cost less than 500 rubles, which is very profitable. Each roll of foil is marked "T" or "M". The letter "T" means "hard" and the letter "M" means "soft".

Cloth foil is somewhat more expensive. This form of foil has several varieties - based on fiberglass or foil insulation. The densest type of fabric foil is called canvas foil. For a steam room, it is not used as often as simple foil, because it allows steam to pass through, although it retains heat very well.

Foil paper is made on the basis of cellulose, which is covered with a thin layer of aluminum. Such material does not withstand temperatures above +120 degrees Celsius, so it is better not to use it for a steam room. But on the other hand, you can sheathe the dressing room and other adjacent rooms with such foil. This foil is perfect for nooks and crannies between pipes, as it is very flexible. Such material is very cheap - 10 meters can be purchased for less than 300 rubles.

How to sheathe a steam room with foil?

The sheathing of the steam room with foil should begin after the bathhouse has shrunk naturally, the walls have been caulked and insulated.

1. Measure the area of the room and determine how many rolls of foil to purchase. Plain foil is usually sold in rolls of 10 meters. It should be remembered that each sheet must be fastened not end-to-end, but with an overlap, at least twenty centimeters, so you need to buy the material with a margin.

2. Sheets of foil are nailed to the walls with galvanized nails. The reflective surface of the foil is directed towards the interior of the room.

3. If during installation some sheets have received minor damage, they are sealed with metallized tape. If the damage is too significant, it is better to replace this sheet. Scotch tape is also glued along the joints of the sheets.

4. A crate is made of laths with a cross section of about five square centimeters. A finishing material is installed on top, for example, lining. The finishing material should not be installed directly on the foil; there must be a small gap.

The foil myth and its disclosure

There is a persistent myth that the foil in the bath is harmful and allows heat to pass outside, making it difficult to effectively heat the bath. This myth is easy to debunk.

First, there is a coating material in front of the foil, which absorbs most of the thermal energy. Secondly, there is insulation behind the foil. So the added foil cannot increase heat losses, but can only reduce them.

Also, some people say that excessive moisture and lack of air passage with foil will damage the wood. It is not true. Firstly, space is left for condensation of steam on the foil (not on the casing), and secondly, there should always be forced exhaust ventilation in the bath, which is turned on as required by the user.

Timely and high-quality insulation of saunas and baths can provide reliable protection of finished structures of premises from high humidity, fungus and further destruction.

Foil insulation for a bath contributes to efficient energy saving, which leads to the accumulation of 98% of the heat in the room. This allows you to save on fuel and significantly speed up the heating process of the steam room.

What is foil for?

Foil for a bath is the thinnest aluminum layer that is used as is or in an effective combination with fiberglass, roll insulation or kraft paper. The thickness of the web is from 30 to 300 microns.

Aluminum foil is characterized by high thermal conductivity, therefore it is a powerful reflector of heat generated by the firebox. Insulation of this type does not absorb infrared radiation, but reflects it, effectively distributing it around the entire perimeter of the room.

Thanks to this, all the heat generated is accumulated inside the steam room. Among other things, such a material is successfully used as a sound insulator.

According to experts, this is the best thermal reflector designed for modern baths, capable of reflecting up to 98% of the infrared radiation emitted by the firebox.

Aluminum foil is an effective sealant that does not allow steam and water to pass through, which means that it prevents moisture from escaping outside the premises. The foil-lined steam room heats up faster and cools down more slowly.

Features and Benefits

Taking into account the operational features of various bath rooms, foil insulation must meet the following requirements:

High vapor and moisture resistance;
Excellent refractory properties;
Resistance to corrosion processes;
High level of thermal reflectivity (up to 98%) due to the mirror-like top layer;
Sufficient thermal conductivity;
Resistant to high temperatures;
Lack of toxic substances in the composition.

High vapor barrier characteristics prevent steam from escaping from the heated room and reduce the likelihood of condensation. This ensures a long service life and an excellent appearance of the insulation.

Foil for a bath has the following advantages:
Resistance to deformation and plasticity during heating;
Maintaining the original consumer characteristics;
Inertness to ultraviolet radiation;
Protection of premises from the formation of condensation, fungal formations and harmful organisms;
Resistance to chemicals;
Simplicity and availability in carrying out installation work;
Durability, practicality and durability;
Hygiene and environmental friendliness;
Affordable cost.

Aluminum foil is able to withstand high temperatures up to 150 degrees, which, in combination with increased reflectivity, contributes to the effective retention of the generated heat indoors.

Such unique characteristics allow you to create the effect of a thermos in a bath, so the material is ideal for insulating wall, ceiling and floor surfaces in steam rooms and technical rooms.

Foil varieties

Depending on the type of application and auxiliary components included in the composition, the material is divided into several types:

The material is represented by a thin aluminum layer up to 300 microns thick, roll width up to 150 cm. Designed for a wide temperature range, therefore it is used for steam baths and saunas. Taking into account the high probability of deformations and breaks during installation, it is recommended to apply the foil on a refractory heat-insulating base with fixation on metal staples.

It is a cellulose base with an aluminum top layer. The paper can withstand high temperature conditions from 50 to 125 degrees, therefore it is suitable for auxiliary and technical rooms of baths.

A material consisting of a fiberglass base and an aluminum layer. It has high sound, heat, steam and moisture insulating characteristics, resistant to decay and mold.

A special type of insulation based on expanded polystyrene foam covered with a thin aluminum layer. It is presented in rolls and sheets. The advantages of such a material are resistance to high temperatures, excellent fireproof, thermal insulation characteristics and ease of installation.

The basis of the material is mineral wool covered with a thin layer of aluminum. Possesses high heat and vapor barrier properties.

Plates are easily installed on ceiling and wall surfaces, therefore they are intended for use in any room of the baths.

Criterias of choice

The most effective option for warming bath rooms is aluminum foil.

When choosing foil insulation for a bath, it is important to follow simple recommendations:

The main criterion for choosing foil in rolls is the thickness of the aluminum layer, which determines the vapor barrier. This figure is from 0.007 to 0.2 mm. The greater the thickness, the more reliable the protection.
A good thermal insulator should be 99% aluminum.
When choosing a reflector made of aluminum foil, pay attention to its marking. So, the letter designation "M" marks the soft annealed material; "T" is a solid, unannealed base.
High-quality insulation must have all the necessary quality certificates and conclusions. Therefore, it is recommended to choose products from reliable and trusted suppliers.
Installation of foil cladding is carried out using adhesive tape on a metal base (to hide the joints), as well as galvanized nails, screws and staples.

How to cover a bath with foil yourself

Thermal insulation of a wooden bath is carried out by the method of caulking. But mineral wool can be used as additional insulation.

The use of foil sheathing is an important procedure that helps to reduce heat loss in rooms. In this case, the material is used as a heat reflector, which is mounted on walls made of logs or boards. Next, a wooden lining is installed.

The sequence of installation work for warming the bath with foil:

A wooden frame made of thin strips with a cross section of 5 × 5 cm is installed on wall or ceiling surfaces. The strips are fixed using self-tapping screws. If necessary, a heater is laid - mineral wool.
Foil sheets are mounted on the crate with a reflective layer inward with an overlap (18-20 cm) with fixation on galvanized nails or metal staples. With a significant width of the material, its fixation is carried out not only along the edges, but also in the middle.
To prevent deformation or rupture of the material, the joints are glued with adhesive tape on a metallized base.
The fixed foil is sewn up with clapboard, while leaving the required technological gap of 1.5 cm for proper air exchange. This will provide better thermal conductivity of the material and high-quality reflection of infrared radiation in the room.
The lining is fastened to a wooden lathing installed on top of the foil. For this, strips with a thickness of 2 cm are used with fixation on self-tapping screws.

Thermal insulation of steam rooms with the use of foil-clad reflectors allows you to save up to 30% on raw materials for fireboxes, as well as extend the life of the wooden buildings of modern baths, preventing rotting, the development of mold and pathogens.

Aluminum foil for a bath: which is better to choose, characteristics and installation

Insulation of this type does not absorb infrared radiation, but reflects, effectively distributing it. Aluminum foil is characterized by high thermal conductivity, therefore it is a powerful heat reflector.

All the subtleties of using foil in a bath for insulating walls and ceilings

An ideal sauna means that the steam room will warm up quickly and keep it warm for a long time. To achieve this, one has to either install a log house with thick walls, or additionally insulate the walls with a ceiling. The second method is cheaper, but not every thermal insulation material is able to withstand the bath conditions. Traditional heaters will not work, but aluminum foil for a bath is exactly what you need. However, there are pitfalls here.

What is the use of foil in a steam room: "divorce" or indisputable benefit

Some argue that there is zero benefit from foil-clad insulation in the bath, while others - that this is an ideal heat insulator. Some craftsmen simply use foil, while others prefer to combine it with heat-insulating material. These discussions are endless, but the choice must be made.

The principle of the material

Heat is transferred in the steam room due to:

On the one hand, aluminum foil has high thermal conductivity, but on the other hand, it reflects almost all infrared radiation that hits it.

The first point is often mentioned by opponents of this material. But they forget to say that the foil is only able to heat up from the sheathing or the walls of the bath. First, the lining should be heated, and only then will it transfer part of the heat to aluminum. The foil surface itself will give off thermal energy to the walls.

Important! The high thermal conductivity of the foil will play a negative role only if its area of contact with the skin is large. The lathing for the lining is not able to give off a significant amount of heat due to the minimal contact between these two building materials.

With infrared radiation, everything is quite the opposite, this is where the fun begins. It is he who is emitted in the bath by hot stones and a stove. However, due to its properties, the foil reflects infrared rays almost completely back into the room. Therefore, it is more correct to call it a heat reflector, and not a heater.

There is one more nuance - a hermetically laid foil layer is an excellent vapor barrier. As a result, the heated steam remains inside the room, increasing the temperature of the sauna air. The bath heats up faster, and after the firewood burns out, it cools down more slowly.

Benefits of using

Among the advantages of using foil in a bath, it is worth mentioning:

Lack of harmful secretions and hygiene.
Preservation of the coating upon prolonged exposure to excess moisture and high temperatures.
Simple installation.
Immunity to decay.
Improving sound insulation.
Fire resistance and heat reflection of the material.

However, if the foil layer has holes, then its usefulness will sharply decline. It's all about condensation. It will fall out not on the outside of the foil inside the bath, but on the inside, facing the wall. The accumulation of moisture will surely lead to the appearance of mold and wood decay.

Which foil material is better to choose for a bath

In addition to the usual roll foil, there are a lot of different foil materials designed for wall insulation. But not all of them are applicable in a bath, where there is high temperature and humidity. It is extremely important here to choose the right and harmless heat insulator, otherwise a visit to the steam room can lead to health problems. An additional layer makes the foil more durable or increases its thermal insulation characteristics.

You can insulate the bath:

kraft foil (paper-based);
foil-clad fabric (on fiberglass);
foil insulation (on foamed polyethylene).

The first option is a complete analogue of standard aluminum foil, only with a reinforcing layer of paper. The second is the most durable and fire-resistant of all, and the third, thanks to expanded polyethylene, creates an additional layer of classic thermal insulation.

Advice! Experienced craftsmen recommend sheathing the walls and ceiling of the bath near the stove exclusively with foil on fiberglass. It is durable, harmless and can withstand temperatures up to several hundred degrees.

The polyethylene backing easily transfers the heat of the steam room. But this foil material should not be sewn on the walls near the firebox. In the heat of a red-hot stove, it will inevitably begin to melt.

There are also mineral wool-based foil insulation on sale, but it is not recommended to use them in a bath. Some of them contain formaldehydes, which begin to evolve when the temperature of the material rises, while others, when wet, lose all their thermal insulation properties.

Even thick aluminum foil without a backing can be easily damaged during installation. It should be used in a bath only as a last resort. It is best to choose the option on fiberglass, produced in three types:

"A" with one-sided foil (operating temperature from -40 to + 150 ° C).
"B" with foil on both sides (operating temperature from -40 to + 300 ° C).
"C" with an adhesive base and one layer of foil (operating temperature from -40 to + 80 ° C).

All of these materials are sold in rolls of various sizes and thicknesses. They can be easily cut to the required size. And their fastening in the bath is done with galvanized nails or staples.

The nuances of installing foil and foil insulation in a sauna

The choice of foil-clad heat insulator depends on the material from which the bath is built. In some cases, just aluminum foil is enough, while in others it is recommended that sheathing be done only with the use of insulation.

Option # 1: Insulation of a log house

If the walls of the bath are made of thick logs, then covering them with foil is a waste of money. Here, the quality of caulking is more important, and it is simply pointless to additionally insulate the log house. In this case, there will be little positive effect from the thermal insulation layer.

In a log sauna, foil-clad insulation should only be used for lining the ceiling. Above, there will be at least some sense of it, especially if the ceiling is made thin and without an insulating layer on top.

You can also cover the walls around the stove with aluminum foil without a backing. Such a screen will reflect heat in the form of infrared radiation into the steam room, instead of wasting it on unnecessarily heating the wall behind the stove.

When lining the ceiling, foil insulation is laid with a reflective layer downward, with an overlap and with a small, 5-10 cm, approach to the walls. The joints must be glued with special aluminum tape. It is very important to create an airtight layer without the slightest trapdoor for steam.

After installation, the foil can be left as is. So condensation will definitely not accumulate on it. But from an aesthetic point of view, it is better to cover it with clapboard. To do this, you need to fill a crate of 40x40 mm bars, to which wooden planks will be nailed.

Option # 2: Sheathing a brick or frame structure

If the walls of the sauna are made of bricks or frame technology is used, then it is imperative to insulate them with foil-clad thermal insulation material. Otherwise, the heat in such a bath will not last long.

The sequence of work in this case is absolutely identical to the technology used in a log cabin. Only sheathing with foil is made round the entire area of the walls and ceiling to make a thermos. It is necessary to block all possible ways of heat release to the maximum.

Advice! When insulating a bath with aluminum foil, special attention should be paid to windows and doors. The material to be laid should be securely nailed to the jambs and glued with tape.

Ideally, the lathing for the lining should be made independent, with a gap between the frame and the foil. The larger the space, the better the ventilation and the less condensation. And this is the most important point in the insulation of the steam room.

According to the technology, the walls lined with foil with a ceiling in the bath receive reliable protection from moisture, and the foil coating works as a thermal mirror, helping to maintain comfortable temperatures in the steam room. You can insulate the bath on your own, there is nothing complicated in this matter, you just need to consult with a specialist in choosing a warming substrate.

Foil for thermal insulation of a bath: which one to choose and how to install

Will aluminum foil be useful in the bath? Which foil insulation is better to choose for a bath. The nuances of installing foil in a steam room.

Which aluminum foil for a bath is best for

An ideal sauna building should warm up as quickly as possible and retain thermal energy for a long time. For this, the walls and ceiling are insulated in it. A heat insulator such as aluminum foil for a bath is one of the most demanded materials, as it is resistant to high temperatures and humidity.

Foil properties

Among the characteristics that foil for baths and saunas has, the most important is the ability to reflect about 97% of infrared rays. If this material is used for continuous sheathing of the steam room, the thermal energy will be retained as much as possible. The fact is that the IR rays are not absorbed by the walls, but are reflected towards the room.

Foil for a steam room is ideal because:

the material is able to withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees and even higher - this property depends on its type;
does not emit substances harmful to the human body;
has a low specific gravity.

In addition, aluminum foil has the following advantages:

moisture resistance;
plasticity;
durability;
vapor tightness;
resistance to corrosive processes.

When using this material, almost all the heat remains in the steam room, while the insulation for the bath with foil on the walls will be reliably protected from condensation. The fastening process is simple, the main thing in the work is not to allow deformation, and not to leave gaps between the canvases.

To achieve a greater effect, foil heaters for a bath are sheathed not only on the walls, but also on the ceiling surface, since steam and hot air first of all rise up.

Roll aluminum foil

Foil is produced both in rolls and in sheets. Roll material can have a thickness of 0.007 to 0.2 millimeters, a width of 10-1500 millimeters. The percentage of aluminum in it is up to 99.5%.

Depending on the type of surface, foil is:

smooth, without additional finishing;
for finishing;
finishing.

According to the scope of application, the material is divided into a canvas:

Depending on the manufacturing method, foil is distinguished:

soft (annealed), marked "M";
hard (unannealed) - the letter "T" is assigned to it.

A quality product is called a canvas that does not have folds, spots, tears and other inclusions on the surface. When viewed through the light of a thin canvas, it should be free of gaps and the smallest holes. Thick foil is allowed to have a small number of holes, which is regulated by the technical parameters of the equipment used.

A thin web is wound on sleeves of different diameters. Thick foil is produced in sheets.

Before starting work on insulation, developers are interested in how much foil for a bath costs. Domestic rolled products will be cheaper than imported material. With a roll length of 25-30 meters, the price will be approximately $ 20-30.

The use of foil for warming baths

To determine which foil to use for a bath is better, you need to take into account what material the structure was built from and the conditions for its operation. If the building is a log building with carefully poured walls, then a foil heat insulator is not required for it.

In the case when the bath is built of natural wood, but large in area and does not warm up well, experts recommend sheathing the ceiling and walls from the inside with thin foil, and then covering it with clapboard. You can use a foil cloth for the surface behind the heating unit, as a result of which the steam room will warm up faster.

Despite the fact that a foam concrete bath building is considered warm, it requires high-quality vapor barrier, so the use of foil will be justified, but it is better to opt for laminated products.

Frame and brick buildings must be insulated. For this, heaters for a bath with foil based on expanded polystyrene and mineral wool are ideal. The type of this material is chosen for ceilings, taking into account the thickness of the floor and the absence / presence of thermal insulation in the attic.

In addition, the operating conditions matter. If the bath is used infrequently and the procedures are taken for a short time, there is no need to insulate it with foil. When the steam room is used often and are in it for a long time, high-quality thermal insulation will save fuel, and the room will quickly warm up and cool down for a long time.

Performing a simple planking of a bath

When cladding the walls of bath buildings, the foil sheet is attached to the surface or over a layer of thermal insulation. Such work will take little time and will not require much effort.

The process looks like this:

Before sheathing the bath with foil, a frame made of wooden planks is fixed on the wall.
Insulation is placed between the slats.
The top of the insulating material is covered with an overlap foil, the joints between the strips are glued using aluminum tape.
The foil is sheathed with clapboard and a 15-20 cm air gap is made between it and the surface of the foil. This is a prerequisite for efficient heat transfer.

The air gap will reduce the thermal conductivity of aluminum, and since the hot lining will not come into contact with the foil, due to the insulating qualities of the air, direct heat transfer will become impossible. At the same time, infrared rays falling on the surface of the foil sheet will be reflected towards the steam room.

Types of heaters with foil for a bath

In the process of work, a thin soft sheet of foil is easily crushed and torn, therefore, new technologies for its application have appeared.

Now on sale there are:

Foil paper

Its other name is paper-based laminated foil for a bath. It is an elastic and dense material and has excellent vapor barrier characteristics. It is produced in two types: foil plus kraft paper and foil plus paper plus polyethylene.

Foil paper is able to withstand 130 degree heat. Resists compressive loads. It holds its shape and is easy to cut. The standard strip width is 120 centimeters. Self-tapping screws, construction staples and nails are used for its fastening. The material is used for cladding baths from the inside. It is not recommended to use laminated foil for the surface of the walls adjacent to the oven.

Foil fabric (foil fabric)

This soft two-layer material is made from fiberglass and foil. The thickness of the foil fabric is in the range of 0.12 –3 millimeters. The canvases must be fastened end-to-end. Foil fabric is used to insulate bath rooms, it can be used to sheathe the walls near the heating unit.

Its main characteristics:

the ability to withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees;
resistance to mold and other harmful microorganisms;
good moisture resistance.

Foil polystyrene foam

Insulation is made on the basis of expanded polystyrene and covered with the thinnest layer of aluminum foil. The material is produced in sheets 1.2x0.6 meters in thickness 2-10 centimeters. They are used for the purpose of warming the premises of a bath building from the inside. The sheets are equipped with stepped locks that prevent the formation of cold bridges.

Foil polystyrene foam has the following qualities:

does not absorb moisture;
reflects about 98% of thermal energy;
differs in vapor barrier properties;
resistant to chemical attack;
safe for health;
has a long service life.

Foil polyethylene foam

This insulation roll with a thickness of 2 to 10 centimeters has a one-sided or double-sided foil coating. It is used in the arrangement of thermal insulation of the internal premises of the baths.

This material is able to withstand temperatures of no more than 100 degrees. It is not used for cladding surfaces near the furnace.

Foil mineral wool

It is produced in rolls or in the form of mats of various thicknesses. Possesses excellent thermal insulation properties. Ideal for insulating frame sauna buildings. Using rolls or mats with foil makes finishing work easier and more convenient.

The best material for bath insulation

Since the cost of energy is constantly growing, the owners of baths and saunas are forced to look for ways to save costs for operating a steam room. When erecting a new building, it is necessary to use materials that have heat-saving characteristics. Baths built of bricks, foam concrete, cinder block and other building materials, except natural wood, need additional protection from heat loss.

When arranging a steam room, you should be especially careful when deciding which foil is best for a bath, since the material must be environmentally friendly and reflect heat well. All these requirements are met by heaters with aluminum foil coating.

Advantages of foil insulation:

The material is versatile, since it is used for walls, ceiling and bath floor.
Foil-coated heaters have good light reflection.
Products are produced in a wide range.
They are used in humid rooms, while they do not need to be treated with fungicidal compounds.
They have high hygienic properties. The inherent properties of aluminum do not create a breeding ground for the growth of fungi and mold.
They do not deform or melt in the steam room at elevated temperatures.
The material is easy to use. It is easy to mount and fix on different planes: vertical, horizontal and inclined.

Baths insulation tips:

If the bath building does not have a commercial purpose, wall decoration with 3 mm foil in rolls will be sufficient.
For commercial enterprises, the solution to the problem of which foil is better for a bath will be the use of laminated products based on basalt mineral base.

When insulating a bathhouse located inside a capital building, it is necessary to take into account the functioning of the central heating, since it heats the air additionally.

Aluminum foil for a bath: which is better to choose, whether to use paper-based in a sauna and steam room, foil insulation, how to sheathe the walls

Aluminum foil for bath insulation: a myth of thermal insulation or a brilliant reality?

Ideally, the bath should heat up quickly and retain the resulting heat for a long time. For this, the walls and ceiling are trying to insulate with high quality, blocking all exits outside the steam room with heat flows. The traditional insulating layer has a complex structure, but aluminum foil is almost always its constant component. This component is as popular as it is controversial. Philosophical battles, backed up by the theory from physics textbooks, have been fought on the forums of bath lovers for more than one year. Some argue that foil is a wonderful insulation for a bath, others that it is practically useless as a heat insulator. Where is the truth? Let's try to figure it out.

Aluminum foil: another "scam" of manufacturers?

Aluminum foil for bath insulation is a thin (on average 30-300 microns) layer of aluminum, which is used unchanged or in combination with kraft paper, fiberglass, roll insulation. The main argument of opponents of using foil in a bath is that aluminum has a high thermal conductivity.

Based on this, thermal energy can freely pass through the metal layer and be outside the steam room. In fact, this is not entirely true. Firstly, high thermal conductivity will "work" against us only in the case of direct contact of the foil with a heated body (for example, with a wooden clapboard or a blockhouse). Secondly, besides thermal conductivity, there are other ways of transferring heat.

Three ways to transfer heat

Heat transfer can be done in three different inherent ways:

In the case of foil, only the last method should be considered - radiation. The stove in the steam room, when fired up, begins to intensely emit infrared rays, which a person perceives as heat. Now the fun begins. Infrared rays, falling on the aluminum foil layer, are not absorbed by it, but are reflected in the opposite direction, that is, back to the steam room. Reminiscent of a mirror effect. Therefore, we can say that foil for baths is not a heater in the literal sense of the word; it would be more correct to call it a heat reflector. Moreover, it reflects up to 97% of all infrared rays.

In addition, the foil is a vapor barrier - a sealed material that does not allow water or steam to pass through. Accordingly, it prevents the heated steam from escaping and thus also contributes to the retention of heat.

Due to all this, the steam room, sheathed with foil, heats up much faster and does not cool down longer.

The foil can be mounted directly on the walls of the bath or on a layer of insulation (basalt wool, glass wool, etc.). The latter option is more effective and is most often used as a traditional insulating "cake" in steam rooms.

The fact is that the foil is not able to reflect all the heat. Part of it, due to the high thermal conductivity of aluminum, passes further. In order for it not to go beyond the steam room, a heat-insulating material is fixed behind the foil layer. High-quality thermal insulation "catches" what the foil missed and sends it back.

This is especially true in frame, brick, concrete baths and saunas. Without good thermal insulation, it is problematic to bring such a bath “to condition”, especially in winter, - the lion's share of the heat flows emanating from the stove will immediately be carried away through the walls to the street. But good Russian log baths with a real brick oven do not need special thermal insulation, except for caulking.

Plating a bath with foil: how to do it correctly?

In order for aluminum foil to perform all its functions assigned to it by the manufacturer, you should know how to fix it correctly. In this case, there are some nuances, failure to comply with which nullifies its heat-reflecting and vapor barrier properties.

The plating process is simplified like this:

A frame made of wooden planks is attached to the walls of the bath, between which insulation (roll or slab) is laid.
Foil is attached to the strips on top of the insulation. All joints are carefully glued with special tape - for tightness.
The foil is sewn up with clapboard. It is very important that an air gap of 15-20 mm is maintained between the aluminum surface and the lining. This will not allow the high thermal conductivity of aluminum to fully manifest itself. The heated lining and foil will not touch, which means that there will be no direct heat transfer (air is a good heat insulator). At the same time, infrared rays reaching the foil will be reflected back almost completely.

Such a warming "pie" using foil is arranged according to the principle of a thermos. Simplified, a thermos is a double-walled flask with a vacuum interlayer between the walls. A mirror layer is applied to the inner surface of the smaller flask (the one with which the heated liquid is in contact). The vacuum prevents heat from spreading through conduction, and the mirror layer through infrared radiation. The same processes, only with a lesser degree of intensity, take place in a foil-clad insulation layer. In this case, the role of a mirror reflective surface is played by the foil, and the role of a vacuum with a very low thermal conductivity is played by the material of the heat insulator located behind the foil.

Thus, using foil as part of the insulating layer of the walls and ceiling of the steam room, you can significantly reduce the heating time of the bath, enjoy concentrated steam and heat longer, save the amount of firewood or electricity.

Aluminum foil for bath insulation: debunking the myths of thermal insulation

Is the foil good for warming a bath, as they say about it? Does it really have the heat-reflecting properties that are attributed to it? Review with tips from experts.

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