Vents for baths and saunas Buy from 800 rub. Windows are placed in the room for good natural light and admiring the beautiful view that unfolds from them. However, a window installed in a steam bath will not be able to perform these functions. There are the following objective reasons for this:
- resting on a wooden shelf, you won’t be able to admire the view;
- the window in the steam room is installed much higher than the actual level of the person’s head;
- During bath procedures it fogs up all the time.
Now a reasonable question arises: for what purpose is a window installed in a steam room?
Is a window needed in a steam room?
Many people believe that there is no need to make a window in the steam room: it is necessary to preserve the temperature and steam as much as possible. But this approach has many disadvantages: there is no window, how will you dry and ventilate the steam room? After all, there is no way to do without this. Of course, there is a way out - an effective ventilation system, but its design is not easy. Windows are easier to make. And it’s even better and more efficient to do both windows and ventilation at once. One does not interfere with the other, but you need to dry the bath thoroughly. Then there will be no problems.
Windows are needed in the bathhouse. And in the washing room and in the steam room too
In general, experts on Russian baths say that it is necessary to have two windows in the steam room. The first - the main thing - is done in the wall opposite the door. They make it above the shelves - this is for those who need fresh air when vaping. The size of this window can be small so that you can stick your head out (if it gets too hot) or lower the temperature if you suddenly “overheat.” His task is also to organize ventilation between baths. You open it, open the doors, a quick change of air occurs, the so-called burst ventilation. Afterwards everything closes and the temperature rises again. This no longer takes a lot of time: both the walls and the floor/ceiling are heated, and it takes about fifteen to twenty minutes to heat the air.
The second window - an auxiliary one - is located under the shelf. It may generally be small and opaque. Its task is to dry the shelves. This is usually the most “stagnant” zone, where problems with wood most often begin. If you have a window there, the problem will be largely solved.
The bathhouse is being built on a frame, but the windows in the future steam room have already been installed - one main one, the second - blind for ventilation of the shelves
All windows in the steam room are closed during procedures. Sometimes, for women, for example, the window at the top is opened slightly. Before and after the bath, they are opened completely in order to renew and refresh the atmosphere.
Step-by-step instruction
Baths are built from wood, stone or frame panels; PVC windows
depends on the choice of wall material The most difficult option is in baths for buildings that are built of timber or logs. This is caused by the wood's ability to absorb moisture.
Alternately going through the stage of swelling and drying out, they change their dimensions in height and width throughout the year.
Such shrinkage can reach a level of 8-10% per year and, if protective measures are not taken, it can completely destroy any window structure, whether made of wood or even more so made of metal-plastic.
Note ! To protect PVC frames in wooden walls, casing is performed in the openings in the form of installing an independent frame, which is intended to protect and hold the window block during the period of shrinkage of the log house.
Tips for fastening PVC windows in bathhouses made of different wall materials:
- In stone walls, the window structure can be secured using dowels or fastening anchors, which are inserted into the walls using pre-made through holes in the profile; this scheme is preferable for large window blocks. At the same time, the anchors make it possible to precisely adjust the horizontal/vertical.
- It is allowed to use serrated plates fixed with screws; the scheme is used for small structures with blind double-glazed windows. Such anchor plates will not be able to spoil the appearance of the window in the future, since they will be hidden behind the slopes.
- Before using anchor plates, you need to make small indentations in the window opening made of stone, so as not to subsequently apply an extra layer of mortar when making slopes.
- Experts do not recommend installing anchor plates in wooden openings, as they will become loose over time.
For these options, galvanized self-tapping screws are installed, and to prevent shrinkage deformations, even when installing the casing, a gap of up to 70 mm is left at the top between the frame and the upper plane of the opening, which is then thermally insulated with jute, vapor-tight membranes and protected on both sides by platbands. - To prevent the polyurethane foam from becoming moistened by water vapor and being destroyed, the block is protected with foil-clad polyethylene foam tape and steam and moisture protective layers.
The process of installing PVC windows in a bathhouse is shown in this video:
If the building is made of wood
Algorithm of actions when installing PVC windows in wooden bathhouses:
- to arrange the casing, a groove is created in the side sections of the opening, followed by its cleaning, dust removal, and treatment with an antiseptic;
- cut out a block of suitable size;
- the opening is insulated;
- secure the block;
- secure the casing posts;
- install the upper/lower jumpers, and the remaining distance between them and the wall is insulated with natural heat-insulating material - mineral wool;
- install the PVC frame in the usual way, securing it to anchors and leveling it with wedges;
- the gaps between the frame and casing are filled with construction foam;
- install drainage and window sill;
- perform finishing of slopes.
Made from cellular concrete
Quite often, a bathhouse is made of brick or cellular concrete; the installation of PVC windows in such a wall opening is absolutely no different from the installation of such window blocks in a new residential building, while casing is not required to be installed, and the order of operations will be as follows:
determine the installation location of window openings before the construction of the walls of the bathhouse begins, at the design stage;- choose future locations for installing anchors and make recesses in them;
- insert a frame without sashes into the opening and fix it level with wooden spacers;
- after a final check of its position by level, the block is fixed with anchors in the wall;
- foam the gaps;
- install window sills and slopes;
- carry out thermal insulation and sealing of seams around the perimeter of the block;
- install double-glazed windows and seal windows;
- install sashes;
- install fittings and adjust the operation of window systems;
- After the window installation process is completed, we begin finishing the slopes.
Important ! Anchors and dowels will not hold in a wall made of foam blocks. Therefore, a fastening system using reinforced mounting plates is used in these walls, since ordinary ones will not work.
In frame
Frame buildings are rarely used for baths, only in conditions of creating highly effective vapor barrier of walls, ceilings and installing a general system of forced air circulation.
In frame buildings, the walls are made with already made and reinforced openings ; casing is not required in them, and in addition, such structures do not shrink like traditional wooden log houses. Therefore, the technology for installing PVC windows is the same as for ordinary stone walls, except that they can be installed not only on anchor plates, but even on self-tapping screws wrapped in frame holes.
Where to make a window in the steam room
For the “main” window, it is not so much the size of the glazing that is important, but its location. After all, it is possible to achieve high humidity in the steam room of a Russian bath only if there is a “pocket” under the ceiling in which the steam accumulates and is retained. To prevent steam from escaping when opening the doors, the doors to the steam room are made low. There should be a distance of at least 60 cm from the finished ceiling to the top edge of the door. So, the top edge of the window should be flush with the top edge of the door. This means that the window is located low. The dimensions of the main window in the steam room are 40*40 cm or 50*50 cm. Something like this.
What doors should be like in a steam room and how to make them is written here.
The windows are small and low located - they should not interfere with steam gathering
The additional window, the one under the shelf, can be made even smaller. It can generally be made from boards or a layer of insulation can be laid between two glasses. The main thing is that it opens and makes it possible to dry the steam room.
One more point: for safety reasons, all windows in the bathhouse must open inward. Take this into account when planning and do not forget when purchasing or making.
Window in the washing room
A window in a washing room is required for two reasons: to ventilate the premises, adding oxygen, and so that in case of fire you can climb out through it. Based on these considerations, you choose its location and size. Just don't save too much: safety and good air are very important things. Here is one of the reviews:
“In my bathhouse I made a small window in the shower: its size is about 300*300 mm, the glass is about 220*220 mm. I thought that it would be enough for ventilation, but I didn’t do anything more - thieves couldn’t get into such a small space, and there was no need to install a grille. So here it is. There is not enough ventilation even in winter. You have to open the doors to the rest room and flash your bare bottom. In the summer, it’s like that, kirdyk - I open the doors to the street. So don't make small windows in your sink. I regretted it a hundred times. It’s better to open it halfway than to choke.”
Features of use and settings
Modern PVC windows, manufactured on factory lines with a large margin of safety, already have a preset setting. After completing the installation work, additional adjustments will be required , which is due to the peculiarities of the unit’s operation in a humid environment and at elevated temperatures.
First of all, when choosing a window for such purposes, they select a moisture-resistant structure, as well as, accordingly, sealant, seals and fittings.
In addition, the windows must have good functional characteristics in order to provide reliable 3-fold ventilation in the room. If for some reason the windows cannot cope with this task, then general additional exhaust ventilation is installed in the house.
Post-installation adjustment of PVC windows is carried out after completion of all work. At the same time, they check the functionality of the headset, the opening/closing of the sashes and the density of the window unit as a whole . It is clear that the last stage can be performed qualitatively only at low T on the street and when the bathhouse is functioning.
Before adjusting the fittings, you need to carefully inspect it and correct any defects found. Most often, a failure in this element occurs when the handle is not pressed tightly. To eliminate it, you need to move the trim on it to release the adjusting bolts, which are pressed with a Phillips screwdriver.
Next, adjust the clamping mechanism and correctly set the modes to winter/summer, so that in winter less air penetrates through the window, and in summer, on the contrary, more. If you set the modes incorrectly, this will damage the seals and lead to breakage of the sash.
Features of adjusting PVC windows installed in a bathhouse, depending on their brands:
“Maso” has structural advantages in setting it up; it is very easy to do using ordinary pliers and a wrench.- “Torx” , a very reliable fitting, rarely fails, and the settings are practically unchanged even after installation; adjustment is carried out using a standard hex key and a slotted screwdriver.
- “Roto” is a more complex adjustment process; detailed instructions from the manufacturer and the experience of a specialist are required; adjustment can only be done using a proprietary key, since the fitting locking mechanisms have round heads.
There are 3 positions by which the operation of the block is adjusted - shifting the sash vertically/horizontally, fixing the lower angle relative to the frame and setting the degree of pressing of the sash to the PVC frame.
Important ! The position of PVC windows is adjusted in several directions, horizontally/vertically, and it is important to know which direction the adjusting screws are responsible for in a particular design.
Wooden or plastic
Wooden windows are increasingly being replaced by plastic ones. Baths were no exception. Here everything is aggravated by high humidity. And wood, as you know, strongly absorbs moisture and, as a result, swells. So they install glass or plastic windows and doors. Everything is clear with “cold” rooms, but is it possible to put a plastic window in the steam room? Depends on how you heat the bathhouse. If the temperature, as expected in a Russian steam room, does not exceed 70°C, then there are no problems. If you accelerate it to 100°C and above, then definitely use only wood, and not resinous one: at such temperatures it begins to “cry” with molten resin.
Construction design
Specialists will create a reliable design that will provide a comfortable environment and stylish modern design.
Transparent walls, opaque ceiling
This glazing is chosen for houses where another floor is built above the pool or there is simply no desire to make a transparent roof. The size of the glass on the side surfaces depends on the wishes of the owners and on the choice of design components. Using panoramic glazing, the transparency of the walls can reach 95%.
Transparent facade with extension, partially transparent roof
This glazing option is used to provide maximum natural lighting to the room. By removing the wall, you can increase the area of the pool and expand the recreation area.
Completely transparent design
Such glazing is used only when the pool is located separately from the buildings. Such a reservoir will be completely protected from pollution; it can be used in any weather and at the same time fully enjoy the surrounding nature. Sealing, optimal temperature and humidity are provided by modern heating and ventilation systems.
One glass or two
To preserve heat in the bathhouse, it is advisable to install double glass. Moreover, it is better - with maximum sealing. But, if the window is installed correctly and there is a pocket for steam, then its effect on heat and steam conservation is not critical. Why then install double frames? Yes, to prevent condensation from leaking. It flows onto the windowsill, then down onto the wall. This is why the tree begins to rot in these places. Under the windows, and the lower crown - this is where fungus and rot appear first. Therefore, double glazing on bath windows is a measure against wood rotting.
