Which foil for a bath is better to choose: criteria for choosing how to properly sheathe a bath with foil. Effective shiny bath wall insulation What kind of sauna foil do you need

23.06.2020

Bath and sauna are rooms in which it is necessary to create and maintain a special microclimate. The temperature in the steam room reaches 70-90°C. To reduce heat loss, a thermal insulation system is considered at the construction stage. From a wide range of building materials, experts recommend using foil insulation for a bath. It is resistant to high humidity and effectively reflects infrared radiation.

The need for thermal insulation of the bath

Foil insulation significantly reduces heat loss in the bath

The steam room is good for health, it promotes skin rejuvenation, dilates blood vessels, speeds up metabolism. When building a bath, builders take into account the special requirements for the design. It should warm up quickly and hold a high temperature for a long time. To fulfill these requirements, reflective thermal insulation for the bath is mounted. Without high-quality insulation, the steam room will not be able to function, or the heating cost will be huge. Practical owners of baths note the advantages of thermal insulation:

the service life of the bath is extended;
the amount of time the temperature rises to a maximum is reduced;
the consumption of firewood, coal or electricity for heating the sauna is reduced;
basalt insulation increases the fire safety of the building.

Thermal insulation is installed inside or outside buildings. In the case of steam room insulation, material for interior work is chosen. Several layers are successively installed, including vapor and waterproofing. The use of insulation for baths and saunas with foil makes it possible to get by with one material that performs all of the above functions.

Criteria for choosing a heater for a sauna

Insulation must withstand high temperature and humidity

When choosing the optimal insulation for a bath, you should focus on the basic requirements for the material:

coefficient of thermal conductivity;
the presence of a reflective layer;
moisture resistance;
working temperature;
thickness;
combustibility.

The specificity of the sauna with high humidity and temperature requires paying attention to the quality of the material. Difficult conditions adversely affect the insulation, reducing its life. Manufacturers take into account the requirements for thermal insulation of baths, create special series with the appropriate marking. Important factor- no harmful emissions when heated. When buying a heater, it is worth reading the manufacturer's information.

in baths with wood stoves it is necessary to take into account the flammability index of the material. Basalt or mineral wool does not support combustion, polyethylene foam melts.

Characteristics of heaters with foil

Characteristics of heaters

Using insulation for a bath on the walls from the inside with foil or a metallized coating allows you to create the effect of a thermos. Heat transfer from heating devices occurs due to infrared radiation. So that the energy does not leave the premises, a metallized screen is installed that reflects it. It is desirable to cover all parts of the structure with thermal insulation: ceiling, walls, floor. A continuous coating will reduce heat and moisture loss.

Mounting foil without a layer of insulation is impractical. This is a thin material that is easily damaged during installation. In addition, aluminum has a high thermal conductivity, which is unacceptable in the bath and sauna. Proper installation and a layer of thermal insulation material eliminate the problem.

The main characteristics of foil insulation:

High ability to reflect infrared radiation 90-97%.
Low thermal conductivity due to the cellular or fibrous structure of the material.
Vapor impermeability - the coating of the aluminum layer does not allow vapor molecules to pass through, installation of additional protective films is not required.
Waterproofing - the material does not absorb moisture.
High temperature resistance - insulation is designed for operating temperature in a wide range, the upper limit is 150-300°C.
Availability of installation - most insulation materials are available in the form of rolls and mats, which allows you to install them yourself.

In addition to thermal insulation qualities, sauna insulation with foil has vapor barrier and sound-absorbing properties.

Choice of foil material

Roll heat insulator

Thermal insulation with foil for a bath differs in technical characteristics and properties. The choice of insulation is influenced by the design features of the room, fire safety requirements, and the complexity of installation. Mineral wool is recommended for stone and concrete buildings. This reliable material of considerable thickness, which will provide an adequate level of insulation.

A building made of timber or logs does not require much effort to maintain temperature. Wood itself is a good thermal insulator. In this case, penofol or kraft foil is enough. An overview of popular options will help you decide which material is best to use.

Roll heat insulator

Insulation in the form of a rolled sheet can be from 20 to 150 m long. The thickness of the material ranges from 2 to 40 mm. The basis is foamed polyethylene or propylene. Due to the thin coating of aluminum, the material reflects thermal radiation. Penofol is popular in the domestic market. The material is produced with a one-sided or two-sided foil coating with a self-adhesive backing.

Roll foil without a base is laid on the surface of the walls after the insulation. Strips 1-1.5 m wide are mounted with an overlap. The resulting surface is highly resistant to temperature (up to 650°C), moisture and steam.

Basalt wool with a foil layer

Basalt wool with foil

Mineral or basalt wool is a universal fibrous insulation. It is resistant to fire and moisture, provides excellent thermal insulation of the room. Foiling the outer layer reduces heat loss, creates a vapor barrier. Among the range of leading manufacturers of Izover, Parok and Rockwool, you can choose special materials with foil for warming the bath.

For anti-condensation insulation, ROCKWOOL ALU is recommended. The material is supplied in mats. Its fibers are located perpendicular to the surface. During operation, the strength and elasticity of cotton wool is not lost. The Sauna Butts series is designed for warming saunas and baths. Mineral wool slabs 50 and 100 mm thick serve as heat and vapor barrier. The material is designed for indoor installation.
Roll insulation Izover Sauna is quickly installed on the walls and floor, provides reliable insulation. It is safe for health, has no harmful emissions when heated and wet. The material allows you to save on the installation of membranes and films.
The popular Paroc brand insulation is offered in the form of lamella and stitched mats. They are easy to use, quickly mounted on a heat-insulated surface. The aluminum layer is reflective. Basalt wool does not change its thickness during operation.

The quality of thermal insulation depends on the thickness of the selected mineral wool. The best option is 5-10 cm. Basalt wool is fireproof, does not rot from moisture, and has a long service life.

kraft foil

The use of insulation with a layer of aluminum allows you to achieve maximum preservation of infrared radiation inside the steam room. The sandwich construction consists of kraft paper and foil, in some cases polyethylene is added to reinforce the material. Common types:

foilizolone or foil glassine - an elastic material based on cardboard with a corrugated aluminum coating;
foil fabric - fiberglass insulation, duplicated with foil, reflects up to 97% of radiation, withstands temperatures of about 200 ° C;
isolar - foil for a bath with a thickness of 50 and 100 microns with the addition of a polyethylene film, resistant to fire, temperatures up to 300 ° C.

Among the varieties of insulation, it is worth noting a novelty - PIR plates from TechnoNIKOL with foil lining. The product line for bath insulation creates a reliable barrier between the cold from the street and the hot, moist air of the steam room. The plates are light in weight, low water absorption, resistance to deformation

Installation of insulation with foil

Joints are glued with aluminum tape

When installing foil insulation for a sauna, you must follow the rules:

The layer with aluminum foil is directed inside the room.
When installing the material on the ceiling, a descent is made to the walls, from vertical surfaces to the floor. This is necessary for the outflow of condensate.
The steam room needs ventilation.
A gap of at least 30 mm is left between the foil layer and the bath finish.

Sequence installation work depends on the type of heater. A roll of penofol is rolled out, cut into sheets of the desired length and fixed on the walls with a stapler. Under the basalt wool, it is necessary to make a frame according to the thickness of the material. The mats are placed in the finished crate. The joints of the canvases are glued together with metallized tape. Over the heat-insulating layer, slats 30 × 50 mm are stuffed. The crate will provide the necessary ventilation gap between the insulation and the sheathing of the steam room.

The problem of choosing a suitable insulation rises before the owner of the bath both on the eve of its repair, and even during its preliminary design. The insulation must meet several basic requirements: to have low heat transfer, be environmentally friendly, at the same time resistant to mold and high moisture, and, finally, have a price corresponding to its quality. Foil insulation rightfully claims the role of such a material.

The structure of the foil insulation

Foil heat insulator is a modern eco-friendly material used as a heater. Most often it is used in the construction of baths, due to the increased moisture resistance of the material and its excellent vapor barrier qualities. The main feature of the insulation is resistance to temperature changes. In addition, foil insulation for a bath is easy to install, process, strong, practical and durable. In addition to the above qualities, penofol reliably protects the building from the wind, prevents drafts and reduces the effects of radiation.

The technical characteristics of this type of insulation require the presence of several layers in it - foil and insulator - which can be purchased separately with subsequent assembly on site.

On sale there is a ready-made combined type of foil insulating material, which is a polyethylene layer foamed using a special technology. The presence of cavities-bubbles contributes to the retention of hot air inside the material and creates a so-called temperature shield that prevents the passage of heat and moisture through the insulator further into the wall.

Penofol can serve as an example of such a combined material. This insulation is rolled, 10 mm thick, perfect for both the floor and the walls of the sauna.

Along with penofol on store shelves, you can see isolon, which also has heat and sound insulating properties, but has a slightly thicker thickness from 1-5 mm to 16 mm.

The third representative of the foil insulating material, the use of which in saunas significantly prolongs the life of walls and ceilings, as well as saving the strength and money of the owners, are Ursa brand polyethylene foil mats. Mats and sheets have dimensions specific for each brand of insulators, their thickness varies from 50 mm to 200 mm.

Do-it-yourself installation of foil insulation

There are two options for mounting the foil insulating material for the bath, corresponding to the two types of material itself:

Installation of individual layers of foil and insulation takes place in several stages:

A) A ceiling or wall frame is mounted, which is a wooden mesh;
B) Next, a layer of inorganic insulation is laid or fastened, on top of which a light plank frame is placed;
C) A foil is fixed on the frame of the insulation, the joints and slots of which are sealed with a special adhesive tape. Next, the insulation is sheathed with clapboard, drywall or plywood at a distance of 20 mm from the foil layer to create a dynamic temperature shield.

2. In the case of working with a ready-made combined polyethylene insulation, its installation on the walls and ceiling of the bath is as follows:

To carry out this installation, you will need tools in the face of nails with a large hat, a construction stapler, a hammer, a nail puller and foil construction tape.

At a distance of 20 mm from the wall or ceiling finish, a crate is erected, on which heat insulator sheets (mats) are glued or otherwise fixed. In the absence of an adhesive surface on the sheets, they are planted on a spot-applied rubber or acrylic adhesive.

Sheets (mats) are laid exclusively end-to-end, close to each other, and the gaps between them are sealed with adhesive tape.

Foil insulation is attached only to the inner surfaces of the sauna and is not a universal insulation material - for this purpose, the walls of the room are sheathed on the outside with siding.

During the installation of the heat insulator, the foil layer should be on the side of the roll opposite from the wall, since in order to fulfill its purpose - reflecting IR radiation - it must be in contact with the air temperature inside the room.

If the foil insulation is equipped with a self-adhesive side, you can do without additional fixation of the insulator.

In addition to numerous advantages, foil insulation has a number of significant disadvantages. Firstly, the foil is subject to corrosion - this is what concerns the foil insulation. But the metallized coating is not subject to these processes. This allows it to be used as a material for building walls and floors in baths and saunas. However, there are pitfalls here as well. For example, the aluminum layer tends to overheat, which actually should be excluded. That is why there is a need to ensure the distance between the insulation and the surface of the floor or walls in the bath room.

The foil side enters the interior of the room, while the gap is designed to prevent overheating of the aluminum surface and reduce heat transfer when reflecting infrared radiation that hit the foil surface of the insulation.

Knowing about the shortcomings of foil insulation, with proper installation, it is possible to avoid negative consequences during the construction of baths and saunas using this material.

Foil insulation for a bath - Do-it-yourself installation

Foil insulation for a bath - the main advantages of this type of insulation, its characteristics and installation instructions.

Foil insulation for a bath: mounting rules

The bath room is characterized by a fairly high level of humidity, therefore it requires responsible approach to the choice of thermal insulation material.

The most optimal solution is a foil insulation for a bath, which is a combined product, on the one hand covered with special foil, and on the other - foamed polyethylene.

Due to the combination of materials with different properties, foil insulation is characterized by the following parameters, which include:

Increased moisture resistance;
Good sound and heat insulation;
Relatively thin layer of material;
The effect of reflection, which allows you to better keep the heat in the room;
Absence of dampness and humidity, as well as frost resistance of the foil.

Due to the properties of this material, it is ideal for a bath and is considered the best insulator among similar analogues.

The main advantages of foil insulation

The main advantages of such a heater are a fairly simple and labor-intensive installation method, safety and environmental friendliness of the material, as well as an acceptable cost.

For the convenience of performing work, it is manufactured and sold in rolls of different widths and footage. Unlike other thermal insulation materials, it is not capable of emitting harmful and dangerous substances, which is an important point for warming the bath, in which there is a constant change and increase in temperature.

Another advantage of this roll coating is the ease of gluing, which anyone can handle, for this it is enough to study the simple instructions and prepare the adhesive composition.

Disadvantages of a foil insulator

Foil insulation for a bath, in addition to pluses, also has minuses, which include:

Susceptibility to corrosion;
An aluminum-coated insulator is capable of overheating, so when using it in a bath, it should not be allowed to overheat;
Mandatory arrangement of a ventilation hole in order to prevent overheating of the foil due to an increase in temperature.

In order to prevent corrosion processes, it is recommended to use heat-insulating roll material with a metallized film layer for bath rooms.

Before purchasing this material, it is recommended to focus on its coating, which must be aluminum for a bath, since it is this coating that transmits infrared rays better and, therefore, retains heat in the room more efficiently.

Scope of foil insulation

Due to its good ability to reflect heat, this insulator is widely used for thermal insulation of bath rooms, residential buildings as well as partitions and walls.

The technological process consists in gluing the material up with the foil side, while the joints and joints are glued with special aluminum tape.

For a bath, a prerequisite is the installation of an air hole between the steam room and the heat-insulating layer, the thickness of which should be approximately 1-1.5 cm. Such a system will ensure the absence of condensate and maintain normal conditions in the room.

The main types of foil-based insulators

Today, depending on the area of use, appearance and technical characteristics, there are several types of foil insulation for a bath, which include:

Foamed polyethylene coated with an aluminum layer. It is produced, as a rule, in rolls and is intended for insulation of partitions and ventilation systems;
Foil coated mineral wool. It is made mainly in rolls and is used for warming bath rooms, chimneys and pipes;
Expanded polystyrene foil. It is used for floor insulation and is sold in the form of thick sheets;
Foil-based basalt insulation. Due to the increased resistance to high temperatures and chemical aggressive substances, it is widely used in construction, as well as at industrial facilities and gas stations.

Rules for choosing foil material

In order for the heat-insulating material to correspond to its characteristics and intended purpose, it is necessary to choose only a quality product and buy it in official building stores.

However, you should not only choose the right material for the bath, but also lay it with high quality. Due to the excellent property to reflect infrared rays, not only heat retention in the steam room increases, but in combination with other heaters this effect can be increased several times.

But in this case, additional financial costs will be required.

Features of warming the bath with foil insulation

This foil-based heat insulator is a practical and versatile material in order to insulate not only walls, but also the ceiling and even the doors to the steam room.

It is quite simply glued on the surface with the foil side out. At the next stage, a wooden crate is attached directly to the heat-insulating layer of the insulator, on which a lining is mounted, which is excellent for finishing the bath.

A prerequisite for warming the bath is the hydro- and vapor barrier of the premises. Why small holes are made in the insulation for ventilation and to prevent the formation of condensate.

Foil insulation for a bath: selection and application

Thermal insulation - important point in the construction of a bath, therefore, special attention should be paid to the choice of material for this process. If earlier log cabins were mainly built and insulated with caulk, now the building materials market offers various options heat insulators - plate and roll, synthetic and mineral. A special group is made up of heaters for baths with foil, which are becoming increasingly popular. They provide the effect of "thermos" in the room, reliably protecting from heat loss.

Properties of foil insulation for a bath

In addition to preserving heat in the bath and reflecting the effect, the material has high performance characteristics:

Quick installation. With the help of such a heat insulator, you can hide the flaws of the walls and ceiling. It is easy to fit even in hard-to-reach places Oh.

In addition, the market offers a wide variety of such heaters. You can choose the most suitable for your bath.

Varieties of heaters with foil for a bath

Depending on the purpose and performance characteristics distinguish the following types of materials:

Roll foil insulation. Available in different widths. The thickness of the foil layer is from 30 to 300 microns, and the heat-insulating material is from 2 to 40 mm. The price is from 30 rubles per square meter.

Materials can be combined if desired. For example, sheathe the ceiling with fabric-based foil, and the walls with rolled or basalt insulation.

Preparation for thermal insulation of the bath with foil material

In order to apply the heat-saving properties of the insulation with foil as efficiently as possible, it must not only be correctly installed, but also correctly selected in accordance with the expected operating conditions and calculate the required amount of material for the work.

Warming the ceiling of the bath with foil materials

Ceiling insulation is carried out first. As you know, hot air rises, and therefore under the ceiling of the steam room the temperature is always higher than below. For this reason, it is necessary to insulate it in order to minimize heat loss. For this, it is better to choose a roll insulation.

Thermal insulation of walls in the bath with foil insulation

We fill the crate of the rails, the thickness corresponding to the layer of insulation.

External insulation of the bath with foil heat insulators

For outdoor use, heat insulators with a foil layer are used extremely rarely. They are mainly intended for brick and frame structures.

If the bath is made of bricks, then we treat the surface with a primer in two layers, applying the next one after the previous one has dried.

Competent selection of foil insulation and correct installation will allow you to significantly reduce heat loss and qualitatively isolate the bath. In addition, the cost of such material is quite democratic, and you can carry out thermal insulation work yourself.

How to choose foil insulation for a bath

foil thermal insulation materials - the best solution for warming the bath. The reflective surface is able to return up to 70% of heat, which significantly reduces fuel costs and heating time

Foil insulation for a bath: requirements for insulation. Organic, inorganic, foil materials

Baths and saunas are rooms with a very specific temperature regime, which is why during their construction and reconstruction, the closest attention must be paid to thermal insulation. For this purpose, the most different materials, however, according to experts, the most effective variety is a heater for a bath with foil.

In our article, we will talk about the choice of material for the thermal insulation of the sauna, as well as the features of the use of foil insulation.

Foil is very effective as a "thermal mirror"

The choice of thermal insulation material

Requirements for a heater for a sauna

Independent repair of the bath, accompanied by the replacement of the heat-insulating layer, is a rather difficult task. At the same time, the main question, which sometimes confuses inexperienced craftsmen, is the selection of the most effective heat-insulating material.

This is due to the fact that today a variety of heaters for a bath are available to us, and choosing one model is very difficult.

Not any material is suitable for a room with high humidity and temperature

To facilitate the choice, let's try to formulate the requirements that a heater for baths and saunas must meet:

First, the material must have high resistance to heat transfer.. The higher this figure, the less heat will pass through the finishing layer.
Secondly, baths are characterized by high humidity, and therefore the heat insulator used should not lose its heat-saving properties when wet. Directly related to this is the resistance of the insulation to damage by fungi and bacteria, because, as you know, they prefer a warm and humid environment.
Heat resistance is another important indicator. What is the use of a heat-insulating layer if it begins to deform when the temperature rises?

It is also very important that when heated (and indeed during operation) the material does not emit volatile toxic substances. Another requirement is a small mass and ease of processing, because we plan to insulate the sauna with our own hands.

Such a parameter as price must also be taken into account. However, it is worth noting that in the cheapest segment it is difficult to find high-quality insulation in accordance with such rather specific requirements. Therefore, we recommend that you first focus on the average price category.

Thermal insulation materials of organic nature

An extensive list of insulating materials used in saunas and baths is opened by organic heaters. These include substances of plant and animal nature.

Most commonly used:

Reed mats.
Chipboard and peat panels.
Cellulose insulation.
Bulk wood chips etc.

Photo of reed mats - a popular organic insulation

The main advantage of these substances is their naturalness, because many of us, when building a bath, seek to minimize the use of synthetic materials. However, the performance of these heaters is low, and therefore it is worth using them only if you categorically do not want to mess with "chemistry".

Inorganic heaters

Inorganic thermal insulation materials are products of mineral processing.

Mineral wool (may differ both in composition and characteristics).
Glass wool insulation (they serve perfectly everywhere except for steam rooms).
Polyurethane foam insulation.
Materials based on polystyrene (foamed or extruded).

The structure of basalt wool

Sometimes it is recommended to use foam plastic for thermal insulation of baths, as the lightest and at the same time cheap material. This should not be done, because under the influence of high temperatures, some brands of foam release toxic phenolic compounds.

Foam boards are used for thermal insulation of floors that are not in contact with the steam room.

Styrofoam is also used when insulation is carried out. plastic windows: strips of material are placed under slopes.

Foil heat insulators

And yet for baths, the best choice for insulating from the inside are materials provided with a thin aluminum foil coating. The metal layer reflects infrared radiation, preventing heat from leaving the bath, and the effect of a "thermos" is created in the room. In addition, the structure of foil insulation is such that they provide a sufficiently high-quality vapor barrier - and for a room with high humidity, this is an important plus.

Thermal insulation materials with a foil layer can be used not only in baths and saunas.

With their help, insulation of the loggia, thermal insulation of pipelines, interior decoration of roofs, etc. can also be carried out.

Mineral wool with aluminum coating

Foil materials is a group name.

Mineral wool with aluminum coating. Examples of such materials are URSA M-11F, Isover Sauna and others. They can be produced both in slabs and in rolls. These materials are resistant to high temperatures and moisture, are easily cut into fragments of the required configuration, and do not emit toxic substances.

The aluminum coating has sufficient strength and allows you to mount the mats in almost any design.

Polymer foil sheets. Unlike mineral wool-based materials, they are distinguished by a small thickness and are produced exclusively in rolls.

The base layer is made of expanded polystyrene or foamed polyethylene, a thin layer of aluminum foil is applied on top of it.

The main advantage of materials with a foil layer is that the metal acts as a thermal mirror, which minimizes the heating of the walls in the steam room and dressing room. As a result, significantly less fuel is required to achieve the required air temperature.

Features of the use of foil materials

The insulation of the bath with foil is carried out in almost the same way as with the use of other materials.

At the same time, in order to achieve the maximum heat-accumulating effect, it is worth following fairly simple recommendations:

Plates and rolls of insulation are attached to the base using special dish-shaped dowels. Contact of the foil layer with the metal parts of the fastener should be avoided in order to avoid the formation of "cold bridges".
Installation of heat-insulating elements is carried out end-to-end. The seams are filled with polyurethane foam and glued with metallic tape. As a rule, detailed information on how to connect panels contains instructions for the material.

The gap between the skin and the foil will reduce heat loss

Bath foil insulation is one of the most effective heat-saving materials. With its proper use, you can not only prevent the rapid cooling of the steam room, but also significantly reduce the cost of heating the bath to the desired temperature.

Foil insulation for a bath: do-it-yourself video installation instructions, price, photo

Heaters

Modern technologies production facilities provide an opportunity to produce heat-insulating materials of various types and structures. Of course, the use of each is due to a number of requirements both for the environment of the future location, and for the methods of installation and operation. The loyalty of the pricing policy provides an opportunity to purchase heat insulators to everyone, regardless of their financial solvency. The article will focus on foil insulation for a bath.

The importance of foil insulation in the bath

The bath belongs to the category of structures where the constant presence of a certain level of humidity is assumed. This, in turn, limits the choice of not only building materials, but also insulation. Experts strongly recommend using a heat-insulating material with foil or a metallized film, based on polyethylene foam.

Excellent performance characteristics provide an opportunity to create a kind of thermos indoors. Due to the reflective effect, all heat is retained in the room without passing through the existing gaps in the walls.
The implementation of fastening plates of foil insulation for walls allows you to hide the existing flaws on the surfaces. It can be not only walls, but also the floor, and even the ceiling. Since the design features during the construction of the bath provide for the presence of hard-to-reach places, the installation of this type of heat insulator will even come in handy.
It would seem that the project for the construction of a bath should already provide for all the nuances that allow you to keep the heat in the room as much as possible. However, insulation with foil material has its advantages over analogues.
As a rule, a bath is a stationary single structure, made using wooden beam. If the building is not properly insulated, then it can take a lot of time and energy to warm it up. It is necessary to maintain optimal temperature conditions in the prior. And that can take a lot of energy. At the same time, there is a certain pattern - the higher the air temperature in the room, the greater the amount of heat escapes through the cracks and cracks formed as a result of poor-quality wall finishing or natural aging and cracking of the material under the influence of constant changes in air temperature.
Even if the bath is a continuation of a residential building, then this method of warming should not be neglected. After all, penetrating vapors can adversely affect other materials from which the structure is built. This, in turn, can cause rotting of individual elements and partial destruction of the surface, as well as promote the reproduction of various fungi and microorganisms. As a result, it may suffer decorative trim in room.
By improving the operating conditions of the bath, you can thereby extend the total period of use. The presence of a vapor barrier will allow warm, moist air to condense exactly where it is needed.

There are many opinions about what exactly needs to be insulated in the bath. Some believe that warm air rises and the foil layer of material should be fixed to the ceiling. Others believe that almost everything needs to be insulated.
In order to prevent air heat loss, it is important to place insulation on all available surfaces in the room. However, do not forget to leave a gap, the dimensions of which can vary between 15-25 mm between the treated surface and the foil material.

Choice of foil material

On sale insulation with foil is presented in a wide range:

foil insulation roll– has a sufficiently large roll width run-up. The thickness of the foil in this case can vary within 30-300 microns, which makes it possible to use the material under these conditions. You can buy insulation with foil in the price range from 20 to 200 rubles / m2, depending on the thickness of the material (2-40mm);
paper or fabric base with a foil layer applied, an excellent option for insulation, which has the property of resistance to air temperatures above 300 C. Keeping heat inside the room eliminates the likelihood of mold and the smell of dampness;
foil basalt insulation has the property of resistance to fire (fireproof), which allows you to raise the temperature to the limit of 150-160 0 C.

Of course, each type has its own characteristics not only in terms of fasteners, but also operational characteristics. At the same time, the possibility of using it in certain conditions is regulated by the manufacturer. The thickness of the foil insulation does not matter. It is important what kind of structure of the basis it has.

The formation of pricing is influenced by the thickness of the heat insulator, so the price of insulation with basalt-based foil is 800-1200 rubles / roll.
This indicates that this material is available to almost all segments of the population for warming not only baths, but also, for example, balconies.
A wide range of insulation options can be the main reason for the difficulty of choosing. Someone, relying solely on their own intuition, buys foil material. Others carefully study the characteristics, listen to the opinion of friends or specialists. The main thing is that both of them carry out the only right decision that allows you to purchase high-quality insulation. Having visually assessed the scope of work, it is important to take the exact dimensions of the room where thermal insulation is supposed to be carried out. This will allow you to purchase the right amount of material with maximum savings.

Rules for choosing a heater for a sauna with foil

Each manufacturer adheres to its own nuances in the manufacture of heat-insulating materials. However, in general, the production technology is the same for everyone, which allows us to assert the high quality of products. Without fail, the packaging indicates the approximate value of the heat transfer resistance.

When choosing a material for warming a bath, it is necessary to carefully study the expected operating conditions. In addition, the run-up of the range is indicated, in which the thermal conductivity coefficient may vary, this may be evidence that this type of material is of poor quality, since this value in this case indicates the instability of the characteristics. Experts say that according to the results of numerous experiments, the following pattern was established: the lower the thermal conductivity, the better material will keep the heat inside.
I would like to focus on the information that is written on the labels. As a rule, manufacturers indicate approximate data regarding the operating conditions of the heat insulator. You should be extremely careful, since the resistance values \u200b\u200bof not a specific material are indicated, but its characteristics in terms of the overall dimensions of a particular design, where it was involved in the tests.
Many organic-based building materials emit toxic substances during heating to high temperatures, which is simply unacceptable, given that people relax and restore their health in a bath or sauna. Inhaling toxic fumes long time can cause irreversible damage to health.
Self-adhesive insulation with foil can simply melt when exposed to heat. Therefore, heat insulators with a minimum flammability index should be chosen. Fire safety comes first.

The main characteristics of the heat-insulating material with foil

The undeniable advantages of using this type of insulation in the steam room include the following factors:

high rate resistance to temperature extremes (from 00С to + 1500С);
thanks to the mirror surface, the thermal flows of air are reflected;
an excellent indicator of water resistance, which expands the range of use of foil insulation (walls, ceiling, floor);
has the properties of heat, hydro and vapor barrier. This indicates that the material can be used to insulate any property, regardless of its further use(residential, industrial);
ease of installation makes it possible to do all the fixing work with your own hands without the involvement of outside help.

Insulation with foil application

Unlike other heat insulators, foil insulation is a priority material in construction and is popular in the implementation repair work in baths and saunas. In addition to the fact that a high rate of insulation of steam and heat inside the room is achieved, there is also an excellent sound insulation of individual rooms. This is important if the same building is located and industrial premises and leisure rooms.
Quite often, this material is used for floor insulation in high-rise buildings, where concrete plates. In addition, when laying communication systems, many construction teams use this insulation to eliminate the possibility of heat loss even if the pipes are located deep underground. In places where soil freezing is recorded, foil material will prevent frost from grabbing, for example, water.

Features of mounting foil insulation

Before proceeding with the installation of insulation with foil, it is necessary to carry out a number of activities, namely:

treat the surface of the walls with a special tool that will prevent the formation of mold and dampness;
wooden planks should be filled with a certain interval around the entire perimeter of the room;
insulation is attached to this frame. It doesn’t matter at all what kind it has - rolled or tiled;
the joints are subsequently glued with special adhesive tape, which prevents moisture from entering under the insulation layer;

foil material must be sewn up with clapboard. However, a small gap must be left to avoid contact between the heated lining and the foil. The mirror surface will fully reflect the incoming streams of hot air;

foil insulation for the floor in the bath is not recommended, since the floor system implies concrete screed, on top of which a wooden flooring is mounted;
in addition to insulating the walls, ceiling and floor, it is also important to insulate the entrance doors;
exterior walls should be insulated with special care than interior ones.
To perform fastening of foil material in the bathhouse, you will need a certain list of tools and building accessories:
planks of a certain size, made of wood and pre-finished by special means protecting the material from moisture;
actually, the heat-insulating material itself;
construction stapler or ordinary nails;
special adhesive tape (aluminum or vapor-tight) for masking the joints of the insulation.

Having studied the proposed material and bought all the necessary building materials, you can safely proceed to the insulation of both the entire bath building and individual rooms. If any questions arise in the process of fastening the foil material, then having a certain amount of knowledge, you can solve all problems without any problems. If there is no confidence in your own abilities, then you can use the services of qualified specialists who will fully or partially fulfill the task assigned to them.

Insulation for a bath with foil: installation features, Construction Portal

Heaters Modern production technologies provide an opportunity to produce heat-insulating materials of various types and structures. Of course, the use of each is due

The internal insulation of baths, saunas and hamams has features that are unique to these objects. In addition to energy saving, “climatic” cladding should provide:

rapid heating of the room;
thermal inertia (slow cooling after stopping the furnace furnace);
high level of vapor barrier.

Today, foil insulation for a bath is considered a necessary, and in some cases a sufficient element to ensure the above conditions. To understand why this material is the generally accepted standard, it is necessary to consider the physics of heat exchange processes in a steam room.

During the operation of the oven, up to 80% of the heat is transferred by infrared radiation; up to 20% - due to the thermal conductivity of air, surfaces and objects in the steam room; up to 7% - due to convection (mixing of air layers). That is why the role of the infrared screen is becoming in demand. It is performed by bath foil, which is produced by the industry in the form of a single-layer material, or as part of a two- or three-layer sandwich.

What is heat reflection?

The use of flexible facings with a glossy aluminum layer allows you to heat the steam room faster and retain heat longer. The foil for warming the bath works like a mirror, reflecting the intense infrared radiation of the oven vaults back into the room. Skeptics believe that this is possible only in one case: if you do not cover the foil with a sheathing. They are wrong. The lining reduces the percentage of reflected heat rays, but, heating up from the back of the foil, the lining becomes a much less heat-conducting material. The design of the thermos thus changes, but the general energy effect is saved.

Illustration of the principle of heat reflection from the foil material on the example of Alukraft products

What slows down the cooling of the bath? After all, the foil does not affect the thermal conductivity of the walls located outside of it. In this case, other physical laws work. The heat reflector contributes to a more uniform heating of air, surfaces and objects in the room. Heat transfer works from hotter bodies to cooler ones. By reducing the temperature difference, we thereby reduce heat transfer.

Why is foil glued to a layer of insulation?

If the heat-reflecting material is placed without direct contact with the thermal insulator, then an air gap is formed behind the infrared mirror, which is heated by heat transfer through the foil. This layer will transfer heat towards the street. Therefore, no matter what kind of bath you are going to equip - chopped, brick or with concrete walls- it makes no sense to use foil without insulation.

As an analogue, we can consider the operation of a thermos: the inner surface of a glass bulb plays the role of a thermal mirror, and the vacuum between its walls is a thermally insulating layer. The difference with the arrangement of baths is that instead of a vacuum, the mirror is in contact with a thermal insulator glued to it.

Insulation of a bath from a log house

Another question is whether an additional layer of insulating material is needed? In log cabins, it is enough to use a thin insulation for a bath with aluminum foil. foil sandwich. Log baths do not need any other insulation, except for intervents gaskets and caulking of seams. Infrared mirror technology is cost effective in any steam rooms, but stone walls require thorough thermal insulation with wadding or board materials, the action of which cannot be replaced by foil-based coatings.

Additional functions of foil-based materials

Foil, being a solid metal layer, is a guaranteed barrier to steam and air flows. Thus, in addition to the infrared mirror, the materials of this group provide high-quality convection sealing and vapor barrier of the steam room in the bath.

Types of aluminum foil insulators

In addition to considerations related to the physics of heat transfer and infrared reflection, the choice of substrate type is associated with ease of installation and mechanical strength of the two-layer material. The foil is easily torn during installation, which requires additional time to isolate the gaps with special tape. Paired with a substrate, the material becomes much more reliable, which makes it easier to attach it with a stapler to wooden slats crates.

Foil insulation for baths

As a reinforcing and / or thermal insulation layer, the following is industrially glued onto the foil:

Mineral wool. The material is produced in rolls with a thickness of 5 - 100 mm. However, not every foiled cotton wool is suitable for arranging baths. In order to increase the hydrophobic properties, mineral fibers are impregnated special formulations, which are unsafe for human health when the material is heated. Only heaters without these impregnations should be used with a direct indication of the purpose in the title. For example, "ISOVER Sauna" or "ROCKWOOL Sauna Butts".
Kraft paper. The main commercial names for the material are Kraft Foil, Foil Paper, Alucraft and Izolar. In Isolar, a third element is added to the aluminum layer and paper - polyethylene film, which increases strength and serves as a hydroprotection for the paper layer. The thickness of kraft papers is in the range of 0.3 - 1.0 mm.
Foamed polyethylene (PPE). The most popular material in the group of foil insulation. Produced under the names "Folgoizol", "Folgoizolon" in rolls with a thickness of 2 - 10 mm and plates (20 - 110 mm). Roll foil isol is usually used for equipping baths and saunas in log cabins without additional thermal insulation. It is produced in large quantities and is distinguished by good installation and operational qualities, combined with a reasonable price.
Fiberglass mesh. As an infrared screen, a three-layer material "Folar" is sometimes used, containing a reinforcing layer of a mesh with a cell of 4 × 4 mm. The original purpose of the folara is a vapor barrier.

We isolate the joints with special tape

A separate group of materials should include PIR boards, which are formed from expanded polyurethane foam (PPU) of increased strength and lined with aluminum foil on both sides. This thermal insulator is available in thicknesses from 30 to 250 mm. It makes sense to use PIR plates with a thickness of 80 - 120 mm for warming saunas, baths and hamams in buildings with brick or concrete walls. In this case, the plates play the role of both the main insulation and the layer intended for infrared reflection and vapor barrier. Despite the high price, this material justifies itself on objects intended for long-term use.

Features of mounting foil insulation

If the work is carried out in a log house, then, as a rule, folgoizol is used. The material can be fastened directly to the logs (beams) using a stapler with the aluminum side inside the room. Depending on the thickness of the cladding, butt or overlap is used. Joints are glued with metallic tape.

Air gap between foil and lining

To drain condensate, it is planned to release foil material from the ceiling to the wall, and from the wall to the floor. Laths with a thickness of at least 3 cm are attached on top of the foil isol. They perform two functions: they serve as a crate for the finishing cladding and form an air gap between the foil and the lining. The gap is important in order to exclude direct heat transfer from the lining through the aluminum layer.

The arrangement of baths in rooms with brick or concrete walls has the only, but very significant difference from work in log cabins: contact of the foil material with the load-bearing wall is strictly unacceptable. First, the main insulation is made with heat insulators having sufficient thickness. Then the foil material is mounted. The gap between the plane of the foil and the finish facing must be observed without fail.

Another important note for all types of baths and saunas equipped on the principle of a thermos using foil: high-quality ventilation should be provided in such rooms.

Being a 100% vapor barrier, aluminum contributes to the formation of condensate. Only intensive air exchange between sauna sessions can contribute to the natural evaporation of accumulated moisture.

Aluminum foil for baths and saunas has the optimal combination of qualities required for thermal insulation in this type of premises. And keeping warm is a top priority for a quality steam room.

If the heat will easily leave the premises, then the following troubles await us:

The enormous cost of trying to heat a rapidly cooling building.
The lack of the proper effect of relaxation and treatment with hot steam.

Warming the bath with foil will help to avoid its transformation into an ordinary gazebo. In this article, we will look at specifications of this material and the stages of its installation.

Aluminium foil

Important to know: aluminum has a high thermal conductivity and a high reflectivity. Therefore, heat is stored not by containing it, as with other heaters, but by reflecting it back into the room.

For high-quality thermal insulation of the steam room, the insulation material must have increased water resistance and fire resistance.

Foil for baths and saunas is ideal for such parameters.

Specifications

There is no deformation effect at high temperatures.
Aluminum does not emit fumes harmful to humans.
High level of vapor barrier. Thanks to this, hot steam does not leave the room, but fulfills its purpose.

No accumulation of steam in the material itself. This greatly increases the service life.
Acceptable price.
There is no condensation on the walls. This is especially important in the case of wooden walls. Since the presence of condensate can lead to the appearance of mold and rotting processes.
Insulation of the material from the harmful effects of excessive moisture and other possible effects. This extends the life of the building itself.
Heat reflection effect. The aluminum surface reflects heat radiation, which significantly speeds up the heating of the steam room, which saves on heating.
Ease of installation. Affordable do-it-yourself implementation.
Durability. Does not rust, does not rot, is not attacked by pests.

This solid list of advantages applies in general to foil as a heater. But today the manufacturer offers different types with some special features.

Kinds

What foil is best for a bath?

Let's look at its most prominent representatives:

Folgoizolone for a bath is a polyethylene coated with aluminum foil. To all the above qualities, a high level of sound insulation is added and strength increases. And the preservation of heat is carried out not only due to reflective properties, but also due to a decrease in thermal conductivity.

foil on paper basis for a bath significantly increases the strength and reliability of the product and is an environmentally friendly material.

Foil insulation for a bath is any classic insulation material, such as isolon or even mineral wool, in which one of the sides is covered with a layer of foil to increase waterproofing, fire safety and protection from aggressive environment steam rooms. The cost accordingly increases depending on the combined insulation.

Thus, all varieties are simply adding an additional layer that adds some quality, but also increases the cost. In order to save money, ordinary foil in a bath is suitable, which already has a sufficient number of necessary qualities.

Installation

The following instructions will help you in mounting the foil:

We buy a sufficient amount of foil with a thickness of 100 microns.
We fix the foil on the boards with a stapler, furniture nails or buttons. At the same time, we make overlaps of several centimeters.
We fasten the aluminum strips together with mounting tape.

Tip: Aluminum has a high electrical conductivity. Therefore, be sure to carefully insulate the possible wiring in the bathhouse.

From above we install a crate of wooden planks, which will serve both as a reinforcement for the foil layer and as a basis for interior decoration.

We mount the inner finishing layer.

It should be noted that when using an additional insulating layer, it is installed in front of the foil.

For example, if it is mineral wool, then we do the following:

We nail wooden bars with a section of 5 cm by 5 cm on the walls and ceiling of the steam room. At the same time, we observe the distance between them equal to the width of the insulation boards.
We put insulating material between them.
This is followed by the above installation steps with one clarification: the foil is fixed to the intermediate strips.

If you use a heater for a bath with foil, then the sheathing process is even more simplified and becomes more cost-effective than purchasing and installing them separately.

Conclusion

Necessary for their full functioning. A steam room, unable to keep warm, is nothing more than a comfortable gazebo. One of the most economical ways- it's lining inside walls and ceiling with a layer of foil.

It should be understood that such a material does not work like most other heaters that retain heat indoors due to their low thermal conductivity. The aluminum coating allows it to reflect heat radiation, which not only preserves thermal energy, and the process of heating the bath is even faster.

The combination with classic warming materials allows you to achieve an even higher effect. But at the same time, it increases the cost of the final work.

The video in this article will provide additional materials on the topic.

It will only give you real pleasure and improve your health!

Ideally, the bath should heat up quickly and retain the resulting heat for a long time. To do this, they try to isolate the walls and ceiling with high quality, blocking all exits outside the steam room to heat flows. The traditional insulating layer has a complex structure, but aluminum foil is almost always its unchanged component. This component is as popular as it is controversial. Philosophical battles, backed up by theory from physics textbooks, have been going on in the forums of bath lovers for more than a year. Some argue that foil is a wonderful heater 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 "divorce" 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 against the use of foil in the 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, it's not quite like that. 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 wooden clapboard or blockhouse). Secondly, in addition to thermal conductivity, there are other methods of heat transfer.

Three ways to transfer heat

Heat transfer can be carried out in three different ways in nature:

thermal conductivity;
convection;
infrared radiation.

In the case of foil, it is worth considering only the last method - radiation. The stove in the steam room during kindling begins to intensely emit infrared rays, which a person perceives as heat. Now the fun begins. IR rays, falling on the aluminum foil layer, are not absorbed by it, but are reflected in reverse side, that is, back to the steam room. Reminds me of a mirror effect. Therefore, we can say that foil for baths is not a heater in the truest sense of the word, it is more correct to call it a heat reflector. Moreover, it reflects up to 97% of all IR 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 to the outside and thereby also contributes to the preservation of heat.

Due to all this, the steam room, lined 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.). Last option more effective and most often used as a traditional warming "pie" 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 standard”, 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 cabins with real brick oven they do not need special thermal insulation, except for caulking.

Covering the bath with foil: how to do it right?

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, the failure to comply with which nullifies its heat-reflecting and vapor barrier properties.

The plating process is simplified like this:

A frame of wooden planks is attached to the walls of the bath, between which a heater (roll or slab) is laid.
Foil is attached to the slats over the insulation. All joints are carefully glued with special adhesive tape - for tightness.
The foil is sewn up with lining. It is very important that an air gap of 15-20 mm be 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 come into contact, which means there will be no direct heat transfer (air is a good heat insulator). At the same time, the IR rays reaching the foil will be almost completely reflected back.

Such a warming "pie" using foil is arranged according to the principle of a thermos. Simply put, a thermos is a double-walled flask with a vacuum layer 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 the propagation of heat through thermal conduction, and the mirror layer through infrared radiation. The same processes, only with a lesser degree of intensity, occur in the foil-coated insulating layer. In this case, the role of a mirror reflecting surface is played by the foil, and the role of a vacuum with 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 time of heating the bath, enjoy concentrated steam and heat longer, save the amount of firewood or electricity.