Aluminum foil for baths. Characteristics of thermal insulation. Foil insulation for a bath Which side to fix the foil in the bath

One of the most important stages in the construction of a bath is heat and vapor barrier for a bath. Using foil to warm the bath will help to complete this stage at a sufficiently high quality level. Modern technologies led to the emergence of a huge range of materials in the construction markets, but their use in combination with foil will make the final result more highly effective.

When buying foil for a bath, you should thoroughly decide on the question: which one is better to choose. The purchase must be made based on the compliance of the product with a number of important criteria, among which one can single out ease of installation and durability in operation. In this regard, special attention should be paid to the following nuances.

Aluminum sheet, due to its technical features, very sensitive to mechanical damage raw materials, therefore, it should be purchased on a substrate and, preferably, in a reinforced form. This solution will significantly reduce labor costs during installation due to the absence of time losses for unnecessary gluing of damaged areas.

Among the most common types of substrates are:

• kraft paper,
• foam polyethylene,
• mineral wool.

Very important detail that makes foil insulation for a bath an indispensable product is its reflective ability. 95% for this characteristic will be a sufficient value for the product to perform its functions. The higher the reflectivity, the less heat the room will lose.

Thermal insulation must necessarily have a significant resistance to high temperature and humidity. If we talk about temperature, then the insulation must withstand at least 100 C.

Separately, attention should be paid to the environmental friendliness of thermal insulation. During operation, foil insulating substances will be repeatedly subjected to heat treatments. These processes should not become a catalyst for the release of harmful, toxic substances into the air.

Foil insulation must have certain vapor barrier properties. So, vapor permeability during the day should not be higher than 0.01 g/m2.

Durability and reliability are also important criteria. Before making a purchase, you should read reviews of thermal insulation products on information sites, as well as learn about warranty periods from manufacturers or distributors.

Product range of possible foil insulation products

Knowing the basic requirements for foil materials, it is necessary to consider in detail the varieties of thermal insulation products. Finishing the bath with foil will take less time if you study all the variety of the heater market in advance. Below is a list of the most common ones:

• Bath aluminum foil. This product is for thermal insulation works sold in rolls. Rolls in the markets are presented in a wide range. Rolls can be of different widths and lengths. The thickness of the layer can also be different.

Foil rolls have no base. It is used for mounting on top of an existing mineral insulator. You can use aluminum foil for a bath up to 650 degrees. In this case, the owner himself can choose the thickness of the thermal insulation, it is important to remember that the final strength depends on this. The reflectivity of the aluminum sheet is usually not less than 95%.

Installation is carried out with an overlap with obligatory gluing of joints with metallized adhesive tape. The use of foil for insulation is absolutely safe for human health, since it does not emit toxic substances when heated.

• Kraft foil. This thermal insulation material is made on the basis of cellulose, it can also be found in a three-layer version, consisting of foil, polyethylene and kraft paper.

The main properties include high strength, environmental friendliness, tightness. Kraft foil has a small thickness, which may not exceed 1mm. The surface of the foil has a reflectivity of 95%. Despite the fact that the operating temperature of kraft foil is noticeably lower than that of a rolled aluminum sheet, and is only 100 degrees, it is much more convenient for installation, since it is less susceptible to mechanical damage and has greater flexibility.

• "Folgoizolon". Baths, the walls of which are sheathed with this material, subject to all the requirements of the technology, do not require additional insulating measures. In addition to all the main functions, "Folgoizolon" has soundproofing properties. This product is usually sold in rolls, but you can also find sheet packaging with its large thickness. Its base is polyethylene foam.

In sheets "Folgoizolon" has standard sizes 600*1200mm with thickness from 20 to 110 mm. In rolls, the thickness does not exceed 10 mm with a width of 1000 to 1200 mm.

"Folgoizolon" is easily processed during installation, it is not subject to deformation, in operation it can withstand temperatures up to 125 degrees.

• The most popular thermal insulation product in the world Russian market- foil mineral wool. Products based on mineral raw materials have traditionally been used in the insulation of any premises for many years. In the markets, it can be purchased both in rolls and sheets, with a thickness of 30 mm to 100 mm. Of the main disadvantages, you can indicate the presence of an unpleasant installation procedure. Cheap thermal insulation causes irritable reactions of human mucous membranes.

• "Penofol". For a bath, this foil thermal insulation can be an excellent product with vapor barrier properties. Being a canvas based on vapor barrier, "Penofol" not only does not release heat to the outside, but also helps the walls to "breathe". The reflectivity of the material is about 97%. With such indicators, we can safely say that the thermal insulation of the walls of the bath when using "Penofol" will be better. The thickness of the main heat-insulating layer, as a rule, does not exceed 10 mm. The vapor barrier material is able to withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees.

This is a foil for a bath, which has higher quality parameters compared to competitors. "Megaflex" can be used at temperatures above 300 degrees. Bath foil has a high reflectivity. Subject to the installation technology, this product will help create a sufficiently sealed system that prevents the spread of steam outside the bath room.

Which of the thermal insulation products is better

Bath heaters, due to their characteristics, have different properties, with foil they will cost more, but these are justified costs. It is difficult for a layman to figure out from the first time which product is better, more reliable, what are the properties of thermal insulation foil, how much does 1 sq.m cost. product for insulation. The table below will help you save time when choosing foil for a bath.

Installation of foil thermal insulation cannot be called too laborious. If the premises of the steam room are made of logs or wooden bars, then you can attach the foil directly to the wall in the bath. The whole process is carried out in several stages: Rules for the installation of foil insulation

• Thermal insulation is attached to the wall with special construction staples. It is important to monitor the integrity of the canvas, to avoid tears. If it was not possible to do without damage, then the metallized adhesive tape will help to correct the situation.
• The insulation is overlapped, the width of which must be at least 20 cm. Each joint is glued with special tape. The better this work is done, the less heat loss will be in the future.
• A frame is mounted on top of the insulation under finishing. It is important to pay attention to one point: it is necessary to maintain a gap between the finishing panels and the insulation to ensure air circulation.

If the walls are made of brick, then, as a rule, the installation is done on top of mineral wool. To perform this process, the order of operations is somewhat modified. Then it will be necessary first of all to assemble the frame of the future partition, and already mineral wool is laid inside this frame, on top of which the foil is already mounted in the usual manner.

Outcome

The process of warming any room, including baths - milestone at work. Not only the consumption of energy sources, the safety of building structures, but also indoor comfort depend on how well the work is done, how effective materials are selected. Now materials for thermal insulation can be chosen from a huge number of products on the market. It is important to know that bath insulation foil is an integral part of the process of creating optimal operating conditions in the future.

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. Sheathing reduces the percentage of reflected heat rays, but, heating up with reverse side from foil, lining becomes a much less heat-conducting material. The design of the thermos thus changes, but the overall energy effect is preserved.

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 a heat-reflecting material is placed without direct contact with a 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 economically feasible in any steam room, 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 adhesive 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 with special compounds that 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 given 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: the contact of the foil material with bearing wall absolutely 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 finishing facing must be complied with.

Another important note for all types of baths and saunas equipped according to 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.

The dispute about the effectiveness of the use of foil for finishing the bath began from the first moment the material appeared on sale. On the one hand, aluminum foil acts as an excellent vapor barrier and infrared reflector. It helps to quickly heat up and retain heat in the steam room. On the other hand, foil is a metal product with a thermal conductivity several times higher than the material of bath walls. Therefore, there will be no benefit from the foil, because in the bath the main source of heat is heated walls. On the third hand, the high vapor barrier properties of the foil and its usefulness for protecting coatings from moisture are noted. The review offers to obtain information on existing materials with the inclusion of foil, a list of manufacturers of this material and the rationality of use for lining baths, saunas, and swimming pools.

Rolled aluminum foil. General characteristics of the material

Roll foil is produced in accordance with GOST 618-73. Standard dimensions are thickness 0.007 mm - 0.2 mm, width 10 mm - 1500 mm. For the manufacture of the material, aluminum of the following grades AD, AD 1, AD 0, AMTs, A 5, A 6, A 0 is used. The percentage of aluminum content is maintained up to 99.5.

By type of surface, the following types of foil are distinguished:

• Without additional finishing - smooth. It is used as an insulator, in the production of radiators, for the manufacture of household foil rolls and food storage containers.
• Converter foil - for finishing. High tech foil. For this type, the characteristics and properties of the surface are extremely important: fat-free, wettability, absence of sagging and folds, porosity. Compliance with these characteristics facilitates the subsequent application of covering layers to the foil.
• Finishing. The surface of the foil is printed, primed, heat-sealed varnish, paper, polymer film, glue or embossing.

According to the field of application, the foil is divided into the following groups:

• Food canvas. It is used as a protective packaging material in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and tobacco industries.
• Technical canvas. It is used to isolate and protect parts in the electrical, construction, aviation and automotive industries.
• Ribbon fabric. It is used in the construction industry in the production of wall panels.

According to the state of the material, the foil is divided into two types:

• Hard or unannealed. Foil released without annealing. Used in pharmaceuticals for the manufacture of blisters.
• Soft or annealed. The material goes through all stages of production, including annealing. Multifunctional material for a wide range of applications.

Foil marking is carried out according to its properties; annealed soft foil is assigned the letter "M". Not annealed - the letter "T" is assigned. A high-quality canvas has a uniform surface, without spots, folds, tears and other inclusions. When viewed through the light of a thin canvas, there are no small holes and holes. For thick foil, a small number of holes is allowed, regulated technical specifications producing technological equipment. A thin web is wound on bushings of different diameters, up to 5 breaks per meter are allowed. Thick canvas is produced in sheets, the allowable number of breaks is 3. Easy unwinding of the canvas is necessarily ensured.

Quality control is monitored in each released batch, several rolls are selected, an external visual inspection is carried out on torn off 5 meters of the web. Chemical and spectral analyzes of the composition of the material are carried out, the correspondence of the percentage of aluminum is determined. If discrepancies are found for each of the stages of verification, a complete withdrawal of the lot is carried out.

Aluminum foil for baths. Thermal insulation characteristics

Perform high-quality thermal insulation of the steam room - this means properly equipping a thermos. Aluminum bath foil is perceived by many as an ordinary non-woven-based shiny film, thin and unsuitable for work. Users prefer to use Mylar reflective PE foam and are unaware that foil can provide a perfect reflective finish.

The nature of heat transfer by a foil surface is radiation. When kindling, the oven actively emits infrared rays, perceived by the body as heat. IR rays hit the layer aluminum foil, but are not absorbed, but reflected back into the steam room. The process is similar mirror effect. Conclusion foil for the bath does not act as a heater, it acts as a heat reflector. The reflectivity of the foil is 97%.

Aluminum foil has high vapor barrier performance. She is considered good sealant, trapping water and steam on the surface, preventing the leakage of heated steam air to the outside, contributing to the conservation of heat. All these qualities have a positive effect on the rate of heating of the room and ensure the long-term preservation of the high-temperature regime of air.

It is advantageous to buy rolled aluminum foil from domestic manufacturers. The average price for a roll of 25 m is $23. Roll 30 m - 27 $. Import manufacturers expose this product more expensive roll 25 m - $ 30, roll 30 m - $ 42.

How to make a simple bath cladding

For sheathing bath walls, foil is attached to the surfaces themselves or to a layer of a "pie" of insulation.

A simplified process for creating a foil thermostat:

• The frame of wooden planks is attached to the surface of the walls.
• Insulation is laid between the rails.
• From above, the insulation is covered with foil. Joints for tightness are glued with special adhesive tape.
• The foil is sheathed with clapboard, leaving an air gap between the surface of the material and the clapboard of 15-20 mm. The air gap will reduce the heat-conducting properties of aluminum; the hot lining will not come into contact with the foil, there will be no direct heat transfer due to the insulating properties of air. At the same time, all IR rays that hit the surface of the foil will be reflected back into the steam room.

The device of the insulating "pie" with the presence of foil is similar to the principle of operation of insulation in a thermos, only instead of a vacuum there will be an air gap between the walls. The user will get more time to enjoy the concentrated steam and heat of the air in the steam room, along with saving the consumption of wood fuel or electrical energy.

Aluminum laminated foil

Laminated foil is made by combining foil, paper and polyethylene. Features high barrier properties

• It has the highest surface impermeability for gases and steam. For example, a film with a thickness of 9 microns has a water vapor transmission capacity of 0.1 gm2 day.
• High hygienic indicators. In wet rooms, the surface does not create a nutrient medium for the development of microflora and mitoxins.
• Elasticity. Capable of resisting compressive loads. Retains shape.

The main types of laminated foil for a bath:

• Kraft paper with foil. Three-layer lamination material
  • The first layer is kraft paper. It is made from long-fiber cellulose by digestion and the use of chemical salts. It is characterized by density, mechanical strength and wear resistance.
  • The second layer is thin polyethylene. It has high thermoplastic, water-repellent, vapor barrier properties.
  • The third layer is aluminum foil. Thin aluminum material with high heat reflective performance.

The cost of Chinese-made kraft paper is $26 per sheet. Laminated aluminum foil - prices from European manufacturers from $25 to $45 per sheet. Domestic manufacturers offer kraft paper from $20 per sheet.

The density of kraft paper creates a solid base for the foil. The layered structure is sometimes fastened with a reinforcing mesh made of polyethylene thread. Laying the mesh between the polyethylene layer and the foil prevents delamination. Foil kraft paper has high tensile and tear strength characteristics.

Laminated aluminum foil is used for lining baths from the inside. The material lends itself well to cutting, drilling, allows you to cut parts of complex configuration. Temperature regime applications from - 600 to + 1200. When high temperatures ah, the adhesive softens, so the sheets are attached to the surface with self-tapping screws and staples to enhance strength.

• Expanded polystyrene with a foil surface. Combined material, consisting of polyethylene foam with a closed porous structure and aluminum foil. It is used for noise protection, as a thermal protection material for outdoor and indoor work. The combination of two heat insulators into one building material allows you to efficiently and economically produce high-quality finishes for saunas and baths. The main qualities of the material:
  • Does not absorb moisture.
  • Has vapor barrier properties.
  • Reflects 98% of heat.
  • It has shock absorbing properties.
  • Chemically stable.
  • Safe for health.
  • Has a long working life.

Industrial sheets have a thickness of 20 mm to 100 mm, a length of 1200 mm, a width of 60 mm. Sheets are supplied with stepped locks to exclude cold bridges. The cost of material for 1 m from 0.2 $.

• Polyethylene foam with foil. There are two types, one-sided and two-sided. Is issued in rolls. Material thickness 20-100 mm, width 1000 mm or 1200 mm. Roll footage is 25 m and 30 m. The cost of material per 1 m is from $0.6 to $32.
• Mineral or glass wool with foil. Available in two versions soft in the form of rolls and hard reinforced in the form of mats. The cost of material for 1 m - from 1 to 34 $.

Carrying out finishing work with cotton rolls or mats with foil is more practical and convenient. Ordinary roll foil without a base is torn, deformed and hard to level. Laminated foil has high strength, but tolerates heat worse than roll material without a base.

What material is better for warming a bath

The constant rise in energy prices is forcing the owners of baths and saunas to take measures to economically operate the steam room. In the case of new construction, the use of materials with heat-saving properties is considered. For wooden baths it is enough to pick up natural wood and not finish it. Additional protection from heat loss is carried out for baths made of brick, cinder block, foam concrete and other mineral building materials.

Special attention and strict selection finishing materials produced for steam room equipment. First of all, requirements are imposed on the environmental friendliness of the material and its heat-reflecting properties. Aluminum foil meets all requirements.

Advantages of foil insulation

• Universal insulation, used for walls, ceilings and floors of baths and saunas. It has good reflective properties.
• Wide range of products. Thin film foil materials are produced, laminated on different bases, With mirror surface to improve the reflection characteristics of IR rays.
• It is used in wet rooms without additional treatment with fungicidal substances.
• High hygienic qualities. The unique properties of aluminum do not create a breeding ground for the development of fungus and mold.
• Does not deform or melt at high temperatures in the steam room.
• Convenient in work. Easy to mount and fasten on horizontal, vertical and inclined surfaces.

• For a non-commercial bath, it is enough to finish the walls with 3 mm rolled foil.
• For commercial saunas with a steam condensate temperature of 1200 or more, laminated foil on a basalt mineral base is considered the ideal material.
• To insulate a bath located inside the building, take into account the presence central heating for additional air heating.

High-quality thermal insulation, resistance to the penetration of hot steam, high temperatures, resistance to moisture and external influences - this is a foil insulation.

The thin aluminum layer reflects heat, keeping it inside the building. Such characteristics make it possible to use it for mounting the insulation of the walls of baths and saunas.

Bath or sauna buildings require insulation and insulation from external influences. It also requires internal insulation of walls from increased moisture, steam and high temperatures.

A material is selected that is not amenable to such influences - this is a foil insulation for a bath. Construction experts recommend this type of insulation.

Insulation for a bath with foil is called a two-layer. It consists of an external coating with a layer of aluminum foil, which is perfectly polished.

The metal coating reflects heat into the building, keeping it indoors over 95%. This coating repels moisture, steam. The foil layer withstands air heating up to +150°. The indoor temperature rises by 2-4°.

The basis of the insulation consists of foamed air bubbles, which does not allow the conduction and absorption of heat.

Bath Foil Selection Criteria

From the presented insulating heaters, a coating with foil paper is selected. The positive characteristics of the bath foil are also taken into account.

This will require a product that:

• protects against ultraviolet radiation;
• has additional moisture-proof and vapor-protective properties;
• heat-insulating;
• soundproof;
• application on a variety of surfaces, including wood, concrete, brick;
• has dimensional characteristics.

Considering the building material from which the room is built, the thickness of the thermal insulation is selected. When choosing, they are guided by the study of the number of positive reviews, checking quality indicators and certificates.

Attention is also paid to the condition of the packaging, its tightness.

Types of foil and coating features

The walls of the bath or sauna are insulated with aluminum-coated material, which retains the internal heat. For this, some types of protective layer are selected.

Folgoizol

Foamed polyethylene is the basis for a protective layer called folgoizol. Its thickness can be made according to the customer's requirement from 100 µm to 200 µm.

The material can be rolled into soft rolls or hard plates. The thickness of the insulated sheet is from 2 to 11 cm, the length is 25, 30 m and the width is 1 or 1.2 m.

Based on polystyrene, rigid plates have a thickness of 2 to 10 cm, size 60x120 cm. This type of insulation is used for application to wooden walls log-baths, or on walls sewn up with clapboard.

The material does not ignite, at high temperatures it does not emit toxins. Environmental indicators allow the use of folgoizol in the food industry.

Protective aluminum layer, does not give in to corrosion. Withstands temperatures up to +150 °. Operational period in comfortable conditions over 20 years.

kraft foil

This type of insulation consists of three layers: a paper base (kraft paper), aluminum foil, and polyethylene between them. It performs the function of an additional water-repellent component and serves as an adhesive connector.

This material perfectly protects the insulation from steam and moisture. It is used for isolation of internal surfaces of baths and saunas. Without releasing toxins under the influence of high temperature up to +120°. The joints are connected with aluminum tape.

Kraft - aluminum coated foil is available in two sizes:

• 25 m long with a width of 1.2 m;
• canvas 15 m of the same width.

foil on paper basis for a bath it is not subject to ignition, well reflects ultra-violet radiation, keeps surface tightness.

Folar

Aluminum layer, glass mesh and polyolefin film glued together with polyurethane adhesive. A three-layer thick insulator is a folar.

The fiberglass mesh does not allow it to deform under the influence of high temperatures up to +150 °, but retains high quality characteristics. Also, the material is environmentally friendly.

Foiled mineral wool in soft rolls

A popular thermal insulation product on the Russian market is mineral wool rolls with a foil coating. Thermal insulation protects the wooden structures of the bath from the influence of steam, high moisture.

High thermal insulation rates retain heat by 95%. Due to the protective base, the insulation belongs to the group of low flammable.

The length of the canvas in a roll is 12.5 m, the width is 1.2 m and the thickness is 50 mm. The insulation is resistant to infection by mold fungi, damage by insect pests.

Performs the function of soundproofing. Light weight material is used in any frame structures.

Foiled mineral wool in the form of rigid mats

In the form of rigid mats, foil layers of expanded polystyrene are used. It is used to cover the floor with water heating.

The sanded surface shield reflects heat upwards from the heating pipes. The applied marking helps in the installation of the heating system.

Foil in rolls

Foil for a sauna on a soft basis is used to maintain the thermal regime of the room, it is fixed under the lining.

The joints are connected with a special adhesive tape. The length of the canvas in a roll is 31 m ± 0.25 m, width 1.25 m, with a foil of 7 microns thick, cardboard density 50 g / cm³.

The thickness of the layer has a high thermal conductivity. Used as an isolated layer in steam rooms, applied over insulation.

Correct installation

Thick foil insulates the walls of the room from the increased influence of moisture and high temperatures.

For work you will need:

• foil insulation;
• stapler;
• hammer, nails with wide caps;
• metallic adhesive tape.

The main error in fixing the material is the incorrect location of the reflection layer. The shiny surface of the sheet is directed inside the building, paper to the wall. The joints are never overlapped, glued together with aluminum tape. The canvases are fixed with a construction stapler.

To fix the insulator, which has an adhesive base, additionally glue it with a spot of rubber glue. After laying and gluing the sheets, the coating is fixed with a wooden crate.

Bath room ventilation

Before warming the steam room, a ventilation system is designed. To ventilate the premises, natural or forced systems are used.

• Ventilation is arranged with one lower hole, opposite the chimney stove, arranged on the wall. The heated steam rises and cools. It mixes with the incoming fresh flow from the inlet window and is drawn out by the blower system of the stove.
• The heating furnace can be installed below the level of the floor covering, so that the blowing system is in the gap between the floor and the insulation. Entrance windows are located at the top of the basement and in the bath flooring. The air passes through the underground span, into the steam room and is drawn into the blower system of the stove.
• The supply window is mounted at the bottom of the steam room next to the heating system. To prevent drafts, an exhaust window is arranged at the top behind the partition. The natural system is equipped with a device that regulates the flow of air.
• The use of such ventilation does not deliver the expected effect, because the air upon admission quickly heats up, rises and is drawn out. For an additional influx of fresh air, the doors open, which is unacceptable when taking the procedure.
• You can install ventilation on one end wall opposite the heating system. The incoming air flow is further enhanced by a fan, such ventilation is called forced.
• For effective ventilation, windows are placed in opposite lower planes. The exhaust ventilation window is additionally equipped with a fan. The heated air after entering the room rises to the ceiling, cools down and is drawn out by the fan.

Three airflow holes are provided for efficient air exchange:

• one window below, near the stove;
• another window in the floor, where there is a gap between the floor of the room and the insulation;
• the third hole on the opposite wall from the stove in the upper part.

In the upper window, a device is installed for forced ventilation. The area of ​​the window is calculated based on the area of ​​the bath room: for 1m² - the volume is 24cm².

Only right installed ventilation the room will extend the time of operation of the sauna room.

The thickness of the walls and the applied insulation

The insulating effect is obtained by correct use paper-based foil, given its thickness. This table is used to determine:

This calculation involves the development of insulation of the walls of baths and saunas. The reflective aluminum layer is mounted only inside the room.

Wall insulation using foil insulation

Thermal insulation must be resistant to hot air with an average temperature of +100°. The environmental friendliness of the coating under the influence of thermal loads is taken into account. Hot steam permeability is below 0.02 g/m².

The building material used in the construction of the walls of the bath affects the choice of reinforced fabric, the installation of insulation and the thickness of the covering layer.

Insulation of a bath from a wooden log house

Before finishing work the building must shrink. The walls of the log house are carefully caulked on both sides before insulation.

The coating is laid and fixed with brackets over the entire surface of the wall without gaps and gaps. Damage should be sealed with aluminum tape. The joints of the insulation are also glued to achieve tightness.

Laths 30x50 mm thick are fixed on top of the foil paper. They are fixed with a board finish. The thickness of the rail creates the effect of ventilation under it.

Insulation of a bath made of brick and concrete

Walls made of brick, concrete or foam blocks differ in the order of installation work.

• The first step is the marking and calculation of the crate on the walls. The bars are selected according to the thickness of the insulation layer, since it is inserted "flush". The distance between the bars is equal to the size of the insulation sheet. Ventilation windows are sheathed for ease of fastening the foil. The bars are mounted in a vertical position.
• Aluminum foil for the bath is fixed on the surface. The joints are sealed with metalized tape, additionally fixed with staples. The foil is carefully fixed on the ventilation windows.
• Insulating material with foil is fixed with horizontal bars. Sheathing is stuffed over the bars. The gap created by the thickness of the bars will serve as ventilation for air and steam. The foil also protects the insulation and crate from moisture.

Reliability and long-term use of foil insulating materials important qualities. Please check the warranty periods before purchasing.

Also ask for information on the operation of this insulation, according to customer reviews. Only such an analysis provides an opportunity to choose a worthy insulating

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 get their own steam room. Experts consider foil one of the essential materials when finishing bath rooms, as they must quickly gain the required temperature and remain 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 in the traditional insulating "pie" created on internal surfaces of this structure, includes aluminum foil, produced in different versions.

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

Is a foil layer necessary?

For this, a thin layer of aluminum foil is usually used, the thickness of which averages from 30 to 300 microns. It can be applied to kraft paper, directly to the insulating material, or go separately from them and be used with other heat insulators in combination.

Opponents of the use of foil argue that there is no use for 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 material is a waste of money and effort. It should be noted that to some extent this is completely fair, since the foil will “work” only if its installation is carried out in accordance with all the rules.

• The high thermal conductivity of aluminum foil will show itself negatively if it is fixed directly to a cold wall built from materials such as brick, concrete or foam concrete, without an additional insulating 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 bath rooms, there are other ways to release heat - this is convention and infrared radiation. Thus, a hot stove gives off the generated heat to the rooms mainly in the form of infrared rays, which heat the surfaces upon absorption.

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

• Thirdly, foil is an excellent vapor barrier for insulation laid on wall surfaces. It creates an airtight, impervious coating, therefore preventing heated steam from escaping through the walls and ceiling. This not only contributes to the preservation of heat in the room - the vapor barrier does not allow the insulation to be saturated with moisture and lose its thermal insulation qualities from this.

Therefore, sheathed insulation material and supplemented with a foil layer, 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.

Bath Foil Selection Criteria

To make a choice, first of all, it is necessary to take into account some factors that affect the effectiveness of the material, the ease of installation of the canvases and the longevity of operation. These criteria include the following:

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

As a substrate for this heat insulator, materials such as mineral wool, polyethylene foam or kraft paper can be used. In addition, fiberglass mesh reinforced foil is commercially available, which has a thickness slightly greater than that of the material without a backing.

Bath foil

• For the conditions of the bath, it is very important that the wall decoration is resistant to elevated temperatures. This indicator should not be lower than + 100 degrees. The material for the bath must be resistant to sudden changes in temperature, and roll foil, even without a base, or having one, fully meets this criterion.
• A high-quality foil material should be distinguished by a high reflectivity of at least 95 ÷ 97%, since the preservation of heat in the bath rooms will directly depend on this parameter.
• If , then high thermal resistance should also be evaluated.
• 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, you should evaluate the durability of the foil material - what guarantees does the manufacturer give to it, and how do consumers respond to it.

Varieties of foil materials for thermal insulation of the bath

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

Illustration	Name and main characteristics of the material
	Roll foil without backing is a thin material that is not particularly tear resistant. It is produced in thicknesses from 0.007 to 0.2 mm, in rolls of 5, 10 or 20 meters, and widths from 1000 to 1500 mm. A baseless foil is used for mounting on the walls of bath rooms, over a previously laid insulation. Cloths of material are fixed with an overlap, and their joints are necessarily glued with metallized adhesive tape, forming a sealed reflective surface. The operating temperature limit for foil reaches +650 °С. The ability to reflect thermal radiation is up to 97%, so the foil is able to provide rapid heating of the steam room and long time save in it comfortable temperature. 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 fastening to 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 varies from 0.03 to 1.0 mm. Operating temperature - up to 100 degrees. At correct installation and gluing the joints with metallized adhesive tape, the material creates a sealed, well-reflecting heat layer - the reflectivity reaches 95%. The material is more convenient to install compared to baseless foil, as it wrinkles less and is 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. Thanks to such hardening, 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, withstands high loads, including mechanical ones. This material is produced in three types: - "A" - sheets with one-sided foiling and operating temperature from -40 to +150 degrees; - "B" - canvases with double-sided foiling and working temperature from -40 to +300 degrees; - "C" - sheets with one-sided foil coating and an adhesive base for fixing on flat surfaces walls, ceilings and floors. Operating 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 sold in the form of rolls or sheets, depending on its thickness. This insulation has high strength, cushioning and soundproofing characteristics. Since such canvases (sheets) can have a sufficiently large thickness, they are often fixed to the surface without additional thermal insulation materials, subject to the fulfillment of certain conditions during the arrangement of the premises. "Folgoizolon" is used for warming log surfaces, as the main heat insulator, or concrete and brick walls, as an additional layer to the main insulation, installed between the bars of the crate under the clapboard lining. Sheets of material 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. The operating temperature range is up to + 100÷125 degrees. The material does not deform, it is easy to cut and attach to wooden crate using staples and a stapler, and on metal profile- using double sided tape.
	Foiled mineral wool is produced in rolls and plates with a thickness of 5 to 100 mm. The material may have different lengths and widths - these parameters may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The reflectivity of the material reaches 97%, working temperature- from -60 to 300 degrees. There are many varieties of foil mineral wool, and one of the most popular on the Russian market from this line of materials is the ISOVER Sauna basalt heat insulator for baths, which has everything necessary for such specific conditions exploitation of qualities.

Video: foil mineral wool boards "ROCKWOOL Sauna Butts"

How to conduct insulation correctly?

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

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

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

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 - reduced to zero.

Bath room ventilation

A properly organized steam room ventilation system is one of the main conditions that are necessary for the proper functioning of thermal insulation. Ventilation is planned in advance, before starting insulation operations. There are four main layouts ventilation holes in rooms with high humidity and, accordingly, the distribution of air flows with the obligatory condition for maintaining the 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-heater, a supply hole 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 there is no direct draft in the steam room.

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

This option can be called the simplest in arrangement, but not effective enough. The air flow entering the supply opening heats up immediately, passing by the stove, and then it immediately rises to the ceiling and goes into the hood. As a result, proper ventilation of the room does not occur, since the air masses move along one trajectory, not covering the far corners of the steam room. That is why the exhaust window is best placed behind the partition.

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

• The second diagram (b) represents a ventilation system in which both inlet and outlet openings are located on the same wall, and the stove is installed near the opposite one. 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 reinforced by a fan installed in the lower air inlet, which is why it is called forced. The fan makes the air flow into the room more intense, so its flows are separated and cover most steam room.

More effective method ventilation of the steam room: the inlet is located below the stove, the exhaust is on the wall opposite, but not at the top, but at the bottom. In this case, the exhaust opening must be equipped with a fan. With this arrangement of vents in the steam room, cold air is heated from the stove, rises, cools there and falls down.

• The third option (c) is implemented during the construction of the bath, as it involves the passage of air under the "clean" floor. In this case, the ventilation windows are located in the same way as in the first option, that is, on opposite walls, but the fan is installed in the upper exhaust ventilation window. In addition, air flows are separated due to 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 evaporation does not have time to settle in large quantities on the walls and ceiling.
• The fourth system (d) will only work during the firing of the furnace. When arranging it, only one inlet is made, which is located on the wall opposite the furnace. In this variant, hot air from the furnace rises, 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 discharged through the blower. It is placed in such a way that the blower hole is below the level of the "clean" floor, and an inlet hole is arranged in the upper part of the foundation, which will be located in the space between the "black" and "clean" floors. So, air entering through a hole in the foundation will provide ventilation not only underground space, but also gaps between the foil and facing material bath rooms.

Ventilation windows should have a size that will be proportional to the area of ​​​​the steam room. So, for 1 m² of ventilated area, the window must have at least 24 cm².

Foil insulation

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

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

The thickness of the walls and the applied insulation

The effect of the work of the foil 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:

It should be understood that the specified thickness of insulation is for a bath, that is, for a short-term bathing procedure, 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 are no more calculations.

How to determine the thickness of the insulation external walls residential building?

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

Insulation of bath walls using foil materials

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

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

Insulation of a bath - a wooden log house

Wood has a low thermal conductivity and a high ability to retain inside log house heat, subject to high-quality caulking of log or timber joining points. Therefore, for the insulation of a bath from this material, there is its own technology.

1 - Log wall.

2 - Foil polyethylene.

3 - Lathing from a bar.

4 — — wooden lining or grooved board.

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

Illustration
	On the wall logs insulated with caulk, foamed polyethylene foil or even baseless foil is stretched and fixed with a stapler and staples. Cloths of material are fastened with a reflective coating inside the room with an overlap of 150 ÷ ​​200 mm. If a heater is selected that has a sufficiently large thickness - 10 ÷ 15 mm, then in this case, the sheets are fixed end-to-end, without gaps.
	When fixing the foil material, it is necessary to constantly monitor its integrity, since even a slight damage can disrupt the intended effect of insulation and vapor barrier. If the material was accidentally damaged, it must immediately be 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 a foil insulation, rails 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 crate. Between it and the foil surface, there must always be a ventilation gap, which, in fact, is set by the laths of the crate - 30 mm.

All transactions for internal insulation bath rooms are made only after shrinkage and secondary caulking, otherwise deformation of the finish and rupture of the insulation may occur.

Video: using foil to insulate a wooden bath

Insulation of brick or concrete walls baths

The insulation of cold walls made of brick, concrete, and foam concrete blocks is somewhat different from similar operations with wooden structures, and is carried out as follows:

Illustration	Brief description of the operation to be performed
	In the first step, the walls are marked out, and the bars of the crate are fixed on them, the thickness in the section is equal to the thickness of the insulation, since it must fit flush between the timber. Moreover, if it is planned to install the lining vertically, then the beam is also fastened vertically, since in order to fix the skin after fixing the foil, another row of counter-lattice bars will be installed, perpendicular to those already installed. The bars of the frame guides are fastened at a distance from each other, which will equally allow the plates of insulating material to be laid as tightly as possible between them.
	If ventilation windows or openings are installed on the walls, it is imperative to fix bars around them of the same cross-sectional size as the rest of the crate elements, since foil will also need to be fixed around them.
	Further, between the bars, an insulating material is installed by surprise. For a bath, modified hydrophobic basalt wool is most often used, for example, the vapor-permeable and waterproof Rockwool insulation.
	The next step is to close the insulation with one of the varieties of foil material - it can be ordinary foil without a substrate or foam foil polyethylene. The foil is fastened to the lathing bars with the help of staples and a stapler. If the foil sheets 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 the foil material of 10 ÷ 15 mm, the sheets are mounted end-to-end, as in the case of mounting on a wooden wall.
	Around the ventilation holes and windows, the foil must also be well fixed by nailing it to pre-mounted bars. If possible, it is advisable to seal the edge of the foil around the holes or windows with adhesive tape.
	Foil sheets are fastened together at the joints with metallized adhesive tape. If the surfaces of the walls and ceiling are insulated, then it is recommended to lower a part of the sheet, approximately 200 ÷ 300 mm, mounted on the ceiling, onto the wall so that the joint between the two planes is hermetically sealed.
	On top of the foil, rails 20 ÷ 25 mm thick and 40 ÷ 50 mm wide are fixed, which will fix the foil and insulation, create a gap between the foil and the sheathing, and also serve as a crate for further installation of the lining.
	In the next step, the crate is sheathed with clapboard, but it must be ensured that a distance of at least 20 ÷ 25 mm is necessarily maintained between the clapboard and the foil. This space is needed to ensure effective ventilation and evaporation of the condensate formed after each bathing procedure.

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