Ceiling insulation
The bath ceiling is insulated using three main materials:
- Mineral wool: fibrous material that gives high-quality thermal insulation. Low thermal conductivity is complemented by resistance to fire. Due to the specifics of the material, mold, insects or fungus do not start in it. Minvata is sold in rolls or rectangular plates; you can cope with its installation alone;
- Expanded clay: clay stones made of clay do not burn and do not emit toxic substances at extremely high temperatures. The porous structure of expanded clay is not habitable by fungi and bacteria, which increases its service life. Over the years, expanded clay does not crumble and does not decompose. Buyers are attracted by the low price of this material;
- Ecowool: a fibrous material based on cellulose and impurities that provide protection against insects and microorganisms. Ecowool is fire resistant, lightweight and can fill the smallest gaps. At high temperatures, it does not emit toxic substances, but requires high-quality ventilation due to the active absorption of moisture.
Floor insulation
The following materials are used for floor insulation:
- Expanded polystyrene: lightweight waterproof material with a low price. Designed for insulation of board and concrete foundations. The material is easy to install and easy to transport. When choosing polystyrene, it is necessary to supplement it with a vapor barrier film.
- Glass wool: universal material characterized by high-quality heat saving. Due to the hygroscopicity of glass wool, it requires a reliable waterproofing layer, which will not allow getting wet;
- Expanded clay: the positive properties of expanded clay are described in the first section. The material is poured both into the ceiling and into the floor of the bath. To improve thermal insulation, clay stones can be filled with cement mortar;
- Foamed polymers: the material is used for insulating floors in baths and wooden logs. Due to its light weight, polymers do not press on the overlapping structure. They penetrate into all gaps and crevices, preventing warm air from leaving.
Wall insulation
The following materials are used to insulate the walls in the bath:
- Mineral wool: preference should be given to the new generation of mineral wool, in the creation of which manufacturers replace formaldehyde with chemically neutral and safe acrylic;
- Foam glass: ecologically flawless and harmless insulation, which has a long service life due to its reliability. The disadvantages of foam glass include high weight and high cost;
- Peat blocks: Different materials are used as filling for blocks - sawdust, straw, etc. Blocks are non-flammable, resistant to bacteria and fungus. The only drawback of the material is hygroscopicity;
- Polyurethane foam plates: material that is specially made for Finnish baths. The boards are provided with a double-sided aluminum coating, which prevents the material from absorbing moisture.