9 types of heat-resistant tiles for fireplaces and stoves: choosing the best. Tiles for saunas and baths

You can decorate the floors and walls in a bathhouse with different materials, and one of the most popular is tile. Its big advantage is that it is not afraid of constant exposure to moisture, so if installed correctly you will not have to replace it often. It is important to know that not every tile is suitable for a bathhouse, and in order to make the right choice, you should know in advance about all the properties and characteristics of a particular coating.

Bath tiles

What is and purpose

Refractory tiles are, according to the definitions given in GOST 28874-2004 and GOST R 52918-2008, a type of molded refractory materials (products), since they are characterized by certain geometric shapes and standard sizes available for all serial products.
The main purpose of tiles made from both natural finishing stones and artificial ceramic materials, regardless of its type, be it ceiling, facade or floor, is decorative, protective cladding of the surfaces of building structures, heating household, industrial equipment, including stoves , fireplace, without which a modern bathhouse, sauna, residential or country house is impossible.

Fireproof materials and their fire resistance

Ceramic heat-resistant tiles are multifunctional products that allow solving several problems facing customers - from builders constructing objects for various purposes to private property owners:

Create a unique interior in a residential, country house, bathhouse, sauna, using fire-resistant tiles that are suitable/liked in appearance, texture, color, pattern for decorative cladding of the external surfaces of stoves, fireplaces, including fire-resistant cuts and offsets; as well as stationary grills and barbecues located in personal plots.
To provide protection against overheating of heating equipment, to reduce the possibility of thermal damage to people using it at home and at work.
Increase the heat capacity of stoves and fireplaces, increase the uniform heat transfer of heating units by creating even, smooth outer surfaces that effectively act as heat shields.

Installation of beacons

To create a flat concrete surface, a prerequisite is the installation of guides along which the liquid concrete will be leveled on a plane using a rule.
As a rule, they use metal beacons, which can be purchased at any hardware store. The correct implementation of this stage of work directly affects the quality of the surface arranged in this way. During the installation process you will need the following tools and materials:

1) lighthouses;

2) roulette;

3) metal scissors;

4) a dry mixture that has the property of rapid hardening (it can be used as a starting putty mixed with the same amount of alabaster);

5) a narrow spatula or trowel;

6) a container for mixing the mixture (you need to add a little water to the two components and mix them well);

7) construction level.

In order for them to be firmly fixed, they should be installed on a pre-prepared mixture. The required amount of it (in the form of lumps the size of a palm) must be placed on a layer of waterproofing in the future location of the guide so that along its length there are gaps of approximately 25–30 centimeters between the “piles” of solution. Both ends of the beacon must be installed on the prepared mixture (they should not “hang” in the air). All this must be done quickly enough, otherwise the solution will dry out ahead of time and it will no longer be possible to use it. The thickness of the future screed must be at least 5 centimeters, otherwise it may crack over time. It is best when the value of this parameter is 7 cm.

When installing beacons, be sure to use a level so that each guide is not only perfectly horizontal, but also in the same plane with other beacons.

After the mixture under the beacons has hardened, you can begin pouring the concrete screed.

Properties and characteristics

Any types (types) of fire-resistant tile products, regardless of materials, methods of their manufacture, must have the properties required by construction, fire safety, and sanitary standards:

Fire resistance – the ability to withstand short-term temperature exposure up to 1000 ℃.
The maximum heating temperature on the outer surface during operation under normal conditions, which, depending on the category and purpose of the furnace equipment, varies in the range from 100 ℃ (moderate heating) to 120 ℃ (high temperature heating). The temperature limits for each type of refractory tile are determined during testing and are indicated in the accompanying technical documentation for each batch of products.

Determination of fire resistance limit

The absence of toxic substances in the composition, including those formed during high-temperature heating, which is solved by the use of fire-resistant natural raw materials or natural materials without harmful impurities.
Thermal conductivity, heat capacity, important properties that make it possible not to reduce the heat transfer of furnace equipment made of refractory bricks.
Low porosity, high density, low water absorption - all these properties are inextricably linked.
Fracture strength, point impact load.
Resistance of paint layers and enamel coatings to external influences.
Resistant to fading of original colors and designs.

Specifications:

Advantages of tiling

Any material intended for the construction and decoration of a fireplace surface has its advantages and disadvantages; the positive features of tiles, as well as ready-made installations with such finishing, include:

Fire resistance. Depending on the type of tile chosen, it can withstand heating temperatures of 600 degrees Celsius or higher.
Resistance to sudden changes and drops in temperature is noted. The surface of the products practically does not expand, completely ensuring the tightness of the furnace structure;
The cladding becomes a kind of surface protection, it allows you to preserve, accumulate, accumulate the generated thermal energy, increases efficiency and heat capacity to the maximum (80+ percent);
The appearance of the product becomes very interesting, stylish, and unique. A simple, monochromatic, faded brick, cast iron, or steel surface is hidden;
Resistance to impacts, deformations, melting, scratches ensure that over the years the product will not lose its original attractiveness, well-groomed appearance, bright colors, colors;
Simple care consists of simply periodically wiping the surface from dust, soot and soot; for this there is no need to use chemical or special expensive products;
The price of tiles can be different, the most affordable is ceramics, the intermediate option is artificial stone, majolica, tiles and natural minerals are considered the most expensive.

If you don’t have the energy or time to cladding your stove, electric fireplace, or bio-fireplace with your own hands, you can alternatively buy a completely finished cladding in our online store in any color, style, design, size, or arrangement. Delivery is carried out on favorable terms throughout Moscow and the region, prices for an assortment of domestic and foreign manufacturers are always acceptable.

Types of heat-resistant tiles

Tiles for stoves and fireplaces are varied. Main types:

Terracotta;
Majolica;
Tile;
Clinker;
Tiles;
Fireclay;
Porcelain tiles;
Natural marble;
Fake diamond.

Terracotta

Similar tiles for fireplaces and stoves are characterized by a rough surface, imitating brick and natural stone. It can be used indoors or outdoors. Terracotta heat-resistant tiles are successfully used in saunas and baths. It is made from dense pressed clay.

The stove in the cottage is lined with Terracotta tiles.

Warm wall.

Important material characteristics:

Impact resistance and durability;
Resistance to sudden temperature changes;
Fire resistance - it is produced at a temperature of 1100ºС;
Steam and water resistance;
Good adhesion to any adhesive base;
High heat transfer, which is due to the textured surface, and thermal expansion corresponds to a similar characteristic of oven bricks.

Video:

Majolica

Majolica is a tile made of fired clay, covered with glaze. Often a decorative design is applied to the surface. The elements are made by hand, the high price corresponds to the labor costs. Sometimes it is combined with Metlakh tiles. Read a detailed article about majolica.

The fireplace is lined with tiles with a majolica pattern.

Fireplace cladding with majolica.

Tile

A ceramic stove (tile), even a heat-resistant one, is sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. For ovens, small matte elements (up to 20 x 25 cm) are preferable - the glaze will become cracked after a while. Usually, old tiles are used for stoves, which you don’t mind throwing away.

Tile is not recommended for rooms where the temperature can drop to sub-zero values: crumbling is possible.

Tiling the stove.

Laying such elements on clay or cement mortars is unacceptable, since the water absorption coefficient of ceramics is zero. They require special heat-resistant glue or mastic. There is a way to install without glue - in metal frames. The video shows a master class on tiling a chimney:

Clinker tiles

Such tiles for a fireplace or stove are obtained by mixing fireclay powder, several types of slate clays and other additives. The surface of the slab is not glazed. The surface color varies from white to beige, from orange to red, from light yellow to chocolate brown. The final tone is set by mineral dye.

The clinker board has a higher density than terracotta or majolica, which results in lower water resistance and better frost resistance. These characteristics make it possible to use such a coating where temperature changes are observed.

We recommend: Setting up a gas boiler: adjusting the power, how to adjust the pressure, adjusting the gas supply valve

It is not recommended to be used for finishing those stoves whose internal walls are lined with stove bricks. The coefficient of thermal expansion of materials and their structure vary too much.

Tiles

Tiles are box-shaped, have a smooth or textured surface, and are covered with glaze or enamel. It is made and painted by hand, which determines the high cost of the material.

When installed, individual elements form a pattern. The coating is characterized by high heat transfer and the highest environmental friendliness. Cost - from 30,000 rubles per square meter.

The stove lined with tiles is a real work of art.

Covering the stove and apron with handmade tiles. The tile is made of white clay and covered with glaze.

Fireclay tiles

Fireclay tiles with a single layer of brown coating and blue glaze.

Acid-resistant stove tiles are an expensive material, handmade from refractory clays and stone flour added to enhance strength. Firing occurs at a temperature of 1300ºС. The advantages of fireclay slab are that it:

Resistant to extreme – both low and high – temperatures;
Has absolute fire resistance;
Does not crack;
Withstands long-term static loads;
Does not wash off;
Has a low slip coefficient;
Neutral to aggressive media (acids and alkalis, solvents and petroleum products, etc.);

The stove-bed is finished with fireclay tiles.

Much thicker than tile;

Available in single and twin versions, but the latter increases the volume of the oven. For household needs, a single one is sufficient.

Fireclay tiles for a fireplace do not require additional insulation of the base surface: they do not need to be grouped with coatings such as natural stone or gypsum.

Porcelain tiles

Porcelain tiles used for facing a fireplace are a mixture of quartz sand, several types of clay, granite and marble chips. Metal oxides and salts act as dyes. The coating is environmentally friendly.

The structure of porcelain tiles for stoves is non-porous and dense. It is resistant to low and high temperatures.

The stove in the dacha is finished with porcelain stoneware.

Porcelain tiles can imitate all of the above types of coatings and natural stone. It retains color even in direct sunlight.

The thickness of the elements is from 9 to 12 mm. Heat-resistant porcelain tiles are attached using hot-melt adhesive. If the stove is located outside, use frost-resistant glue.

Marble

Beautiful natural material suitable for expensive interiors. A square meter of 20 mm slab costs about $110. Plus, you need to pay for the services of a designer, precise cutting and labor-intensive work of a craftsman. Read the details of facing a fireplace with marble in a separate article.

Fake diamond

A good option for those who do not know how to lay tiles. A stone of different sizes allows you to hide the unevenness of the stove. Even a woman without experience can handle its styling. Before laying, be sure to clean the back side of the tiles from mortar buildup.

The stove is finished with different-sized artificial “torn” stone. Laying was done using heat-resistant Hercules glue. Metal elements are painted with Tikkurila Termal Alluminium paint.

From serpentinite and serpentine

Its color range includes an infinite number of shades of green - from very light, almost yellow, to the darkest.

Aesthetics : beautiful appearance.
Durability : able to withstand high pressure, durable.
Heat capacity : quickly accumulates, but slowly and gradually releases heat, so the steam in a bathhouse lined with a coil turns out soft and light.
Healing properties : relieves headaches, treats colds, improves blood circulation - these properties are due to its chemical composition.

These tiles are well suited for lining sauna stoves.

From jadeite

Aesthetics: attractive appearance, rich palette of rich shades of green with various inclusions.
Durability: Able to withstand high pressure and temperature, durable.
Eco-friendly: natural material containing useful minerals.
Heat capacity: accumulates heat and releases it for a long time, which is an undeniable advantage in a steam room.

When heated, jadeite does not emit any harmful substances. Only useful compounds evaporate into the air, including metasilicon acid, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Using jadeite tiles for decoration, you can greatly enhance the healing and preventive properties of your steam room.

From Soapstone

Heat resistance: can withstand temperatures up to 1200° without changing its physical and chemical properties.
Heat capacity : it can store heat for up to several days.
Safety : no matter how hot it is, soapstone does not burn, even if you touch it with your bare skin.
Useful properties : the wavelength emitted by heated soapstone is the same as the wavelength of thermal radiation from the human body. This means that in a bathhouse tiled with this stone, you will feel as comfortable as possible. Soapstone also ionizes the air, improves metabolism and improves immunity.

What should the tiles for a bath be like?

In a bathhouse, as a rule, there are several rooms, and different types of tiles can be used in each of them - you just need to take into account the characteristics of the coatings. For example, in the locker room and rest room the humidity is the lowest, and there are no strong temperature changes. Here you can use “standard” tiles for both the floor and walls.

It is important to consider that in winter the bathhouse is usually used less often, so the tiles must be frost-resistant. Otherwise, due to too low temperatures, the material will most likely crack and will have to be replaced.

They also pay attention to such a criterion as wear resistance. You need to choose the material based on the approximate number of people who will regularly visit the bathhouse and the frequency of the procedures.

When choosing tiles for a bath, you need to pay attention to different criteria: frost resistance, resistance to high temperatures, wear, etc.

The shape and color of the tiles are chosen by each owner independently - everything here depends only on personal preferences.

As for the washing room, tiles are usually used for finishing both walls and floors. The humidity here during procedures is very high, so the coating should have low water absorption. In addition, it is worth paying attention to whether the tile has an anti-slip surface - if not, it is better not to purchase it, since the risk of injury is high. Matte options with a rough surface are more suitable.

For a steam room, tiles are chosen less often - usually wood is used for its finishing. The thing is that the tiles usually get very hot at high temperatures, and it is very easy to get burned. But you can purchase it for cladding the stove, as well as for finishing the lower part of the walls (50-100 cm).

Requirements for stove tiles

Tiles for stoves and fireplaces should be:

Heat resistant. If the letter “T” is on the packaging, the facing material can withstand heating up to 1000 degrees. Heat resistance is also indicated by the flame, the image of which comes in a “set” with numbers: 1 or 2.

Mathematical symbols indicate the number of firings of the tile - the higher the number, the more heat-resistant the product.

Strong. Tiles whose thickness is less than eight millimeters are not suitable for cladding fireplaces.
Thermally conductive. A material, even the most heat-resistant one, is of little use if it does not share the “temperature” with the room.
Dense. Fine porosity is an important criterion that determines the suitability of tiles for decorating stoves.
Wear-resistant. Directly depends on the previous point. Defined by the PEI standard. This classification assumes the presence of five categories (IV). For cladding stoves and fireplaces, you can use slabs marked IV and V.
Moisture resistant. And this parameter is related to density. The tiles should not have more than a three percent water absorption coefficient.
Eco-friendly. Heating is always accompanied by the evaporation of certain substances. If the material contains toxic substances, they will definitely enter the human body. Corresponding to a certain thermal expansion framework. More precisely, the limits are 7-8%.

Of course, in addition to technical criteria, there are also decorative requirements. Of course, no one obliges you to decorate stoves and fireplaces with beautiful and spectacular tiles, but it is impossible not to recommend using an attractive facing material.

Stove tiles - nuances when facing

To ensure that fire-resistant tiles serve you as long as possible, be sure to use heat-resistant adhesive in your work. Choose formulations that are non-volatile compounds . This will save you from having to ventilate the room and work with open windows. To avoid poisoning during cladding, it is better to purchase an odorless solution.

There are some nuances when decorating outdoor stoves. So, the glue must be not only heat-resistant, but also moisture-resistant. The materials are laid on a pre-plastered surface, and the cut tiles are installed last. Whatever type of material you choose, the most important thing is to follow the correct installation technique, which will extend its service life.

More about waterproofing

The service life of a bathhouse, the safety and comfort of staying in it largely depends on high-quality waterproofing.

Traditional methods of floor waterproofing include coating and laying. We are talking about bitumen mastic, which is applied in several layers to the cleaned floor. A waterproofing coating and finishing are laid on top. This simple method provides excellent protection from moisture, but has its drawbacks. The height of the room decreases, as the floor level rises by an average of 5 cm. It is likely that the wooden cladding of the ceiling and floor will become saturated with a specific pungent bitumen odor.

Another traditional method of waterproofing is the use of glass roofing material, various polymer films, hydroglass insulation and other materials that are not afraid of moisture.

Waterproofing with polyethylene film

Often in baths they use penetrating waterproofing, which does not have the disadvantages of the above methods. We are talking about special waterproofing compounds that are applied over a cleaned and primed floor. As a result, a layer is formed that, after drying, reliably protects the surface from moisture.

Penetrating waterproofing is:

concreting;
polymer cement;
cement inorganic;
seamless.

Of all the varieties, the polymer-cement composition is suitable for use in a bath - environmentally friendly, durable, with excellent adhesion and seamless coating.

In a bathhouse with a wooden floor, the work of waterproofing the floor is firmly connected with the process of its thermal insulation. A floor without insulation will freeze, become covered with ice and release heat from the room. Therefore, heat-insulating material with fire-fighting properties is laid on the waterproofing layer (2-3 layers of roofing felt, for example or polyethylene film). Mineral wool is excellent for these purposes. A waterproofing layer is placed on top of the thermal insulation.

How to choose good mineral wool?

Selection rules and criteria

The choice of refractory material for the external cladding of a fireplace, stove in a bathhouse, private residential, including a country house should be carried out primarily taking into account whether it is suitable in its properties, technical characteristics, chemical composition for the type of surface on which it is necessary to lay heat-resistant tiles.

Of course, the appearance is also important, the optimal combination of patterns and colors of the selected fire-resistant tile with the main color scheme of the interior design of the sauna, kitchen or living room is imperative; it is necessary to decide whether its front surface will be matte, glazed, flat or embossed.

Porcelain tiles for the stove

Porcelain stoneware is also a modern high-tech building material that was created only at the end of the last century. It consists of a mixture of clay of various types, the smallest components of granite and marble chips, quartz sand, as well as a variety of mineral dyes.

This “heavy-duty component” is made by pressing using high temperature. The result is a material of amazing hardness and increased moisture resistance. Optimal use of porcelain stoneware in damp and damp conditions. A rich range of colors that never fade makes it possible to select porcelain tiles to match almost any interior of a bathhouse or home.

Tiling the stove: features of the process

The stove has long served people, creating coziness and comfort in the home. The appearance of the stove is the calling card of the entire house. Ceramic stove tiles can transform any stove, and this one will help you choose one.

Ceramic stove tiles have been used in stove finishing for many hundreds of years.

Even today, despite the emergence of many different materials and technologies, it has not lost its leading position, thanks to quality, reliability and good price.

It has high strength characteristics and can easily withstand heavy loads during operation. Concrete is far behind ceramic tiles in terms of performance; it is less durable and inferior to ceramics in terms of wear resistance.

Installation of ceramic tiles is quite simple and requires a minimum of tools and skills.

The high fire resistance of ceramic tiles is an undoubted advantage when finishing stoves and fireplaces.
Made from environmentally friendly and safe, natural materials. Clay, as the main material for production, is completely safe and does not emit any substances harmful to health.
Caring for tiles is very simple and does not require much effort or special measures. It will be enough to simply wipe the ceramic tiles with a damp cloth from time to time.
There are very few disadvantages to ceramic tiles for stoves. The only thing that can be highlighted is that ceramics is a rather hard material, so if hit by a hard object it can easily be cracked.
This small drawback can be ignored; this facing material is very practical and convenient for finishing the stove.

Do you need ceramics in a bath?

A modern bathhouse is no longer just wooden, as builders and designers constantly use a variety of materials for decoration. Therefore, no one is surprised anymore by the appearance of hog ceramic tiles not only on the floors, but also on the walls. But how justified is this for a bathhouse or can you get by with just one tree to create a comfortable environment.

Ceramic tiles can withstand high temperatures

The ceramic component is quite often used in the Turkish bath. But it is built of brick or stone, which naturally limits the use of wood as a finishing material. But for a traditional Russian bathhouse, this material is not entirely natural. And yet, “hog”, creamogranite and other options for baked clay products can be used for all rooms.

Thanks to its properties and parameters, ceramic material creates a special atmosphere in a wooden bathhouse. They are chosen because:

Dries quickly;
Does not warp from moisture;
Can tolerate large temperature changes;
Easy to clean from dirt;
Expands engineering and architectural capabilities.

In addition, you can get premises with different purposes, but having the same properties. But in most cases, ceramic tiles are used for places where the concentration of water is maximum. For example, in the wash room. This space is often equipped with a shower, which naturally means falling water.

Laying tiles is optimal in areas with open water sources

This material also has negative aspects that prevent the use of Kabanchik ceramic tiles in bathhouses. This mainly applies to the moment of laying, since at this time a large number of losses occur due to the carelessness of the craftsmen or errors during transportation. Otherwise, ceramics follow an ascending route, transforming the bathhouse and all its rooms.

Do-it-yourself tiling of fireplaces

For work you need the following materials :

tile;
sand;
cement or clay (for mixing the solution);
water;
crosses and wedges;
nails and hammer;
self-tapping screws;
drill;
level;
putty knife.

Preparatory work

Work begins with surface preparation. If this is not done, the cladding will begin to peel off.

The preparatory stage occurs as follows:

Inspect the current coating and remove completely.
Using a plumb line, it is necessary to determine the thickness of the new coating, which can level the plane.
Level uneven surfaces with a primer or other compound.

Using a chisel and hammer, deepen the seams at least 1 cm.
Drive in nails or screws.
Place a net on the surface. To prevent it from falling off, you can put washers on the heads of the screws.
Technology for laying tiles on a fireplace

After the surface of the fireplace is prepared, you need to make a solution. The process depends on its composition:

Clay. The clay is passed through a sieve. A homogeneous composition without lumps and debris is obtained. Then the clay is mixed with water and left for a day to achieve the required viscosity. Sand is added to the mixture. Proportions are calculated in advance using clay and sand balls.
Cement. Sand and cement are added to the container in a ratio of 1/3. Gradually add water to the mixture. The cement solution is mixed to a homogeneous consistency.

To tile a fireplace with your own hands, you must first lay it out on the floor to determine the order in which it will be laid out.

You can post it in two ways:

using crosses and wedges to get the same distance between the plates, or end-to-end.
The second option of framing the fireplace stove with tiles is simpler, but it requires an ideal eye.

Laying begins from the lower left corner. First, the fireplace is covered with mortar using a spatula, then the building material is pressed in a circular motion to the surface. Each row is checked for parallelism to the previous one using a building level.

If crosses and wedges are used, they are inserted as work progresses.

To fill, you can use a plastic bag with a small corner cut off. By squeezing out the required amount of mortar, you need to fill all the cracks between the tiles.
After completely covering the fireplace with gypsum tiles, at least three days must pass for the compositions to dry. After time, a protective wax mixture is applied.

How to prepare walls

Before starting work, the surface of the brick (cinder block) masonry must be prepared, namely: clean it of layers of fat (if any), dirt and dust. After this, after wetting the surface of the wall with a simple household sprayer, it is necessary to level out all roughness, sharp changes and depressions larger than 10-15 mm with the solution. In a word - do rough plaster. Next, you need to make small notches on the plaster to better attach the tiles. For work, use a simple spatula or trowel.

If the walls of the bathhouse are made of timber, then it is necessary to waterproof these walls. For such work, a simple roofing material is suitable, although you can use other rolled material. After this, it is good to secure a reinforced mesh onto the roofing material (you can use a chain-link mesh with a fine mesh). The plaster must be applied over a metal reinforced mesh using cement mortar 15-20mm thick.

Functions

The furnace lining performs a number of specific functions:

reducing the time required to heat the room;
ensuring ease of maintenance of the device - cleaning tiles is much easier than, for example, a plastered surface;
attractive decor;
increase in heat transfer and heat capacity of the furnace;
psychological aspect - according to most psychologists, the presence of a traditional stove in the house has a good effect on the general atmosphere in the home, as well as the mood of others.

Where is it used?

Fireproof tiles for fireplaces and stoves are used primarily as a decorative element for the surfaces of heating devices. Thanks to tiles, these objects can be transformed into a real work of art, giving a stove or fireplace a personal touch, or finishing in accordance with certain cultural traditions.

An excellent example is the Russian stove, which is still used in homes directly for its intended purpose or as a bright element of room decor.

Tiles are not used for finishing the space around the stove, working and internal surfaces.

All types of fire-resistant tiles must have a quality certificate. Only with supporting documentation can we say that the material will meet the declared characteristics.

Options for washing and steam rooms: materials

Let's briefly look at the materials suitable for finishing bath sinks and steam rooms.

Wood

In the photo: finishing the steam room of a bathhouse with wood (lining)

To decorate the steam room, it is strongly recommended to use hardwood, such as linden, aspen, and alder. These rocks are suitable for walls and ceilings, finishing doors and windows.

For the floor, you can use more resistant species, for example, larch. Conifers should not be used because of the resin they contain, which flows out when the temperature rises. But on the floor the temperature is usually low, so there are no restrictions.

However, it is worth saying that linden and aspen have low resistance to rotting and biocontamination (for example, by fungi). Therefore, we still recommend additionally protecting surfaces made of this wood with impregnations and varnishes.

There is no point in using wood in a sink, unless it is a design decision. In this case, it is worth recommending conifers - they are more resistant to water.

Stone

An option for decorating a steam room in a bathhouse is stone tiles. Of course, we are talking only about partial finishing, for example, near the stove (more on that below).

What types of stone are best suited for finishing walls in a steam room? You will be surprised, but there are practically no restrictions here - the main thing is that it is not rock salt, for example. But pink Himalayan salt is often used as interior decoration. Of course, it will not dissolve as quickly as table salt in a pot of soup, but its composition is the same as salt in a salt shaker.

The wall behind the stove, of course, heats up, but the stones are quite capable of withstanding such temperatures without harming themselves. But the situation will change if you decide to cover the stove with the same stone. The temperatures there are somewhat different. And it’s worth focusing at least on those stones in the lining of which ready-made stoves are sold, for example, soapstone.

As an option, you can decorate part of the steam room not with smooth tiles, but with cut pebbles or cobblestones, which are mounted on the mortar with the convex side up. It turns out to be quite a nice decor. As you can see, even street cobblestones can come in handy.

In the photo: interior decoration of the steam room with stones around the stove

You can use stone in a sink, but this is rarely done, because it is easier and cheaper to cover the walls and floor with ready-made ceramic tiles.

Tile

The tiles in the steam room are used either on the floor or on the wall behind the stove. As for the floor, rough tiles, for example, Metlakh, behave best here. In general, it can be recommended for wet rooms. But it is better not to consider all varieties of smooth glazed tiles as a covering for the floor of a steam room.

In a washing room, it is also better to use rough tiles on the floor, and for the walls... here, in general, you can see more clearly how sober visitors will wash in your washing room. If not particularly so, then give up smooth tiles there too, eliminating unnecessary opportunities for injury.

In the photo: finishing the shower room of the bathhouse with tiles

Sealant

Special mention should be made of such finishing material as sealant for steam rooms in bathhouses.

Sealants in a steam room can be used only in two cases: if it is a bathhouse made of logs and needs to seal the joints between the logs, as well as sealing cracks in the logs themselves, and the second option is to seal the joints, for example, foam glass, if it is used as a heat insulator .

In the first case, we can recommend special sealants for wood that have a certain elasticity, because wood tends to constantly change volume under the influence of moisture. In addition, it is worth asking the sellers which wood sealants can withstand steam room temperatures well (name the numbers at which you are used to steaming).

We came across a report from one bathhouse owner in which he praised the Perma-Chink wood sealant he used for seams and Check Mate for sealing cracks. However, we cannot say with certainty that this was not promotional material.

As for the sealant for the heat insulator, then you need to take silicone without impurities, for example Ottoseal S 73.

Selection rules and criteria

Of course, the appearance is also important, the optimal combination of patterns and colors of the selected fire-resistant tile with the main color scheme of the interior design of the sauna, kitchen or living room is imperative; it is necessary to decide whether its front surface will be matte, glazed, flat or embossed.

Invaluable assistance in solving this complex issue can be provided by stove craftsmen, interior finishing specialists who usually need a visual assessment of stove equipment, as well as employees of trade organizations that sell tile products.

When making your own choice, you should take into account the following criteria, which must be met by high-quality fire-resistant tiles manufactured in accordance with the technical conditions of mass production:

The average thickness of a piece is 6–8 mm.

Thinner tiles are fragile; thicker tiles may cause problems both during installation and during subsequent operation of the furnace equipment due to a drop in heat output into the air in the room.

The geometric dimensions of the tiles, both in one package and in the batch of products selected for purchase, must be identical, otherwise the installation process will become more complicated and the appearance of the finished surfaces will suffer.

Checking the dimensions and evenness of refractory tiles is simple: just touch two products with the front side, then the inside side to each other, to understand how much they coincide, whether there is a gap between them, indicating the curvature of the surfaces.

The front side of the tile should not have any mechanical damage or traces of manufacturing defects - cavities, unevenness on a smooth surface, incomplete glazing; as well as discrepancies, changes in color, pattern within the selected batch of goods.

Cracks and chips found during selection on individual piece products are an alarming signal that the product is very fragile and easily damaged, so there is a high probability that during operation at high temperatures the front side of individual refractory tiles may burst, or part of the purchased product will suffer further damage. during transportation to the place of masonry work.

When choosing, you should not mix fire-resistant tiles of different types and manufacturers, since their properties and technical parameters, despite their external similarity, can vary greatly, and this can have a fatal effect during operation, for example, due to different coefficients of thermal expansion, which is often leads to the collapse of fragments of the furnace lining.

The best choice is fire-resistant tiles with decorative elements in the same color and shade range from the same manufacturer, which do not differ in properties or technical characteristics.

When ordering or purchasing, a surplus of 10-15% in area is required, since part of the material will inevitably go to waste when trimmed, and the remaining amount will become a reserve for replacing accidentally damaged tiles during long-term operation.

Sloped floor

It will be much more difficult to make a floor in a bathhouse from tiles with a slope towards the drain.

To do this, it is recommended to pre-fill the screed with a slope along the beacons. In this case, the place where the stove will be installed must be completely horizontal.
It is best to use small-format tiles or mosaics for such a floor. If you are tiling it with large tiles, in order to lay it evenly with a slope, you will have to use the “envelope” method. This means that you will need to create additional seams directed towards the drain, as shown in the photo.

Red lines indicate additional seams on the tiles

This option will be difficult for beginners and will reduce the appearance of the coating.

To lay floor tiles at an angle, you will need to pull the cord at the desired level and navigate along it when laying. The slope must be at least 1 cm per meter.

Having arranged your bathhouse well, you may have a number of questions regarding its further operation. After all, this is a damp room, and it is necessary to keep it clean so that dirt, dust, and digging do not accumulate there in abundance. One of the possible useful tools for you can be a broom, which will not be difficult for you to choose correctly. To do this, read the materials on our website; they will definitely tell you how to properly carry out installation, choose flooring and care for your floor. We hope you will like the materials on our website “Floor School” and you will definitely choose the appropriate protective cleaner and tool for cleaning your bathhouse floor. We wish you to make high-quality repairs that will give you pleasure in their operation day after day.

Marking

Using the special symbols that are indicated on the packaging of the tiles, you can find out whether a given sample is suitable for finishing stoves or not.

It is customary to distinguish the following signs:

The water absorption coefficient is indicated on the box and is designated by the letter “E”. It should not be more than 3%. Granite has the highest moisture resistance: 0.5%.
Information about porosity is given by the PEI symbol and the following numbers on the packaging from I to V. For stoves and fireplaces, level IV or V should be selected.
Marking “A” or “B” indicates that the design of this product was developed on a computer. Tiles with the letter “A” are distinguished by more accurate compliance with the stated dimensions.
The designation “EN 122” and the letters A to D indicate the level of resistance of the tile to chemical attack.

Tool

To lay the tiles we will need:

Building level;
Notched spatula (tooth height 8-9 mm);
Drill with a nozzle for mixing glue;
Plastic crosses;
A device for cutting tiles (tile cutter).

In principle, ceramic tiles can be cut with a glass cutter, but it is still better to purchase a tile cutter. Tile cutters are either electric or manual. If you plan to limit yourself to laying tiles only in the bathhouse, then a manual tile cutter will be sufficient.

To learn how to choose a manual tile cutter, watch the video.

Dimensions

To make it convenient to work with tiles for lining stoves, their dimensions should not be too large. The optimal size is 25x25 cm, and the thickness is no more than 8 mm. For porcelain stoneware and clinker, no more than 6 mm is sufficient.

Such parameters will ensure sufficient thermal conductivity and strength of the entire installation. In addition, these sizes are much easier to work with.

Larger tiles can be made to order, for example from porcelain stoneware, but they are quite heavy and may not support their own weight, and also require more trimming and sizing. Tiles are also available in smaller sizes, for example, 10x10 cm.

However, it is used much less often for the same reasons as the large one - it is inconvenient to work with.

Preparation for installation

Before you begin laying tiles, you need to prepare the floor surface for work.

Before starting to describe the installation process, it should be added that on a tiled floor it is easier to make a slope for draining water. But in general, the work is no different from laying ceramics in other rooms. The only difference is in the use of adhesive and grout paste.

Returning to the aspect of creating a slope, we will assume that the concrete floors have already been poured at a certain angle. When laying tiles, all that remains is to withstand this difference without overdoing it with glue. Immediately before work, the surface is completely cleaned of the smallest dust so that nothing interferes with the adhesion of the glue to the surface.

The glue is applied with a notched trowel.

Design

The determining factor when choosing a stove cladding design is not the type of material, but the interior of the room in which it is located. A characteristic feature of the design of facing tiles specifically for stoves is the almost complete absence of geometric patterns.

It is not found in almost any style.

But the design of such products is replete with complex ornaments:

Floral patterns, characteristic of majolica or tiles, can be used in almost all styles - from classic to modern. Faience with its famous blue and white Gzhel color scheme would also be appropriate.

For a classic interior, you can choose porcelain stoneware; its possibilities are almost limitless. With it you can create entire paintings.

A modern interior does not imply too colorful decoration. Elegant monochromatic tiles with small splashes of decor would be more appropriate here. Various imitations of malachite and marble, as well as wood, will look good.

In a hunting lodge or country cottage, you can use natural stone. In order not to reduce the cost of the interior, you should not mix natural material with other types of finishing; it works well alone.

Real stoves are rarely found in techno or futurism style interiors. However, if elements of such design trends are still present, a plain tile would look good here.

In a country house, terracotta and clinker would be appropriate. Images of plants and flowers in the Khokhloma style will be especially good.

Laying tiles when the drain is located horizontally near the wall

In this case, installation should begin from the center of the opposite wall.

Sequencing:

Laying tiles at the location of the drain

The first tile must be placed to the right of the center, and the rest from it to the right and left. The first row is ready;
the tiles are laid using glue, which is applied to the back side with a notched trowel;
special crosses are installed between the tiles, which ensure the required width and uniformity of the seams;
First, whole tiles should be laid out, the outer ones are cut off;
Excess glue is constantly removed with a damp cloth. Once it dries, it is very difficult to remove.

The floor with the laid tiles should be left for a day for the glue to dry completely.