How to insulate the floor in a bathhouse in a washroom with your own hands

Bath floors are an important component of the comfort system of the entire bath room. The cold ceiling makes staying in the bathhouse chilly and does not bring bright positive emotions. An incorrectly designed heated floor promises to heat up its surface to unacceptable temperatures, sometimes to such an extent that it is just right to install a good granite slab on it and use it to make pancakes and pita bread. If you are interested in the question of how to properly insulate the floor in a bathhouse, then today’s article is just for you.

Distinctive features of the washing room and the floor in it

A bathhouse is a building that is highly exposed to water. However, it is the washing room in such a structure that is the room where there is the most moisture. There is also a strong temperature difference here, which is especially noticeable in winter.

Usually a person visits the washing department several times while in the bathhouse. He constantly enters it from the steam room to douse himself with cool water. In this case, the liquid always falls on the floor and leaves through it. Therefore, moisture regularly penetrates into the pores of wooden elements of building structures.

The bathhouse is not heated regularly. For this reason, during the winter, the water in the lumber periodically thaws and freezes. Therefore, there is a gradual destruction of the wood from which the floor parts and other building structures are made.

Excess moisture negatively affects all wooden elements of the washing machine Source vip-1gl.ru

Due to changes in temperature and constant humidity in the washing room, special requirements are placed on the floor in this room:

effective drainage of water by installing a slope to the drain ladder or constructing a leaky structure;
high resistance to rot and sudden temperature changes;
minimal ability to absorb moisture and greater strength;
maximum heating and drying in a short period of time;
anti-slip surface even when very wet.

It is possible to meet all the requirements only if the floor is constructed correctly. Therefore, even at the stage of designing a bathhouse, it is necessary to choose its design wisely. To avoid mistakes and anticipate all possible difficulties in advance, it is better to contact a specialized company.

Specialists are able to fully solve the problem. They will create ventilation in the washing room and professionally select all the necessary building materials, which will allow the use of high-quality thermal insulation.

Using high-quality building materials in bathhouse cleaning Source remontik.org

If the floor in the washing room has a lower temperature than the air in the upper zone of this room, then people will feel uncomfortable during water procedures. This deficiency also negatively affects the microclimate of the room and contributes to the occurrence of rot on the wood. To eliminate these problems, experts recommend high-quality thermal insulation of the floor structure.

Types of flooring in the sink

There are only 3 types of flooring in the washroom - solid and flowing wood, as well as a tiled covering laid on a concrete base. Each type is subject to insulation. However, this process is performed differently for them. This is due to the design features of each type of floor.

Solid wood floor

This type is a non-drip surface. It is most common in baths. Moreover, this design is one of the warmest floors. In addition, wooden flooring has an attractive texture, high environmental friendliness and low heat conductivity.

Solid wood flooring Source yandex.net

Non-drip decking is primarily created from softwood. This wood is resistant to rot. It also withstands other negative influences. At the same time, no resin comes out of the boards, since the air environment in the sink heats up slightly, compared to a steam room.

However, before you properly make the floors in the bathhouse in the washing room, it is recommended to always remember that when installing non-spillable flooring made of wood, you have to put in significant effort. The reason for this is the lack of removable parts, which forces us to provide effective ventilation at the initial stage of construction. At the same time, solid wooden floorings are often created on a screed made of concrete mortar or soil, which is previously well compacted.

The non-spill floor system includes not only wooden flooring, but also logs with sheathing. In addition, it is also necessary to create waterproofing between all parts. Thermal insulation material is usually laid between horizontally located joists. In this case, the slope of the wooden flooring is created by sheathing.

Continuous flooring on joists Source 9ban.ru

The insulation that is placed between the joists can be in the form of expanded clay or foam with a dense structure. Mineral wool is also often used. At the same time, no attention is paid to the hygroscopicity of the building material used when the heat insulator is reliably protected from the negative effects of water.

To prevent moisture from penetrating through a wooden floor, experts use tongue and groove boards during its construction. At the same time, they must be treated with water-repellent substances. In addition, ventilation of the space under the floor is always created. To do this, a plastic pipe is placed into the underground from the street side. Its diameter can be 50-100 mm.

poured wood floor

This type of decking is a leaky wood surface. Its installation is simpler compared to a solid floor. A distinctive feature of a pourable surface is the absence of a slope, because water is removed through the cracks between the boards. Flowing through them, it ends up in a pit. Then the water flows into the sewer through a pipe laid at an angle.

Dry floor made of planks in the washing room Source kraski-net.ru

A cushion of sand and crushed stone is also placed under the leaking floor, or the soil is simply compacted if the washing compartment in the bathhouse is rarely used. This type of foundation under the deck allows water to drain directly into the ground.

During the construction of a leaking floor, all joists are mounted on reinforced concrete columns. They are also often made from brick. This design allows you to reduce the negative impact of water on wooden logs.

If the bathhouse is often used, then a more reliable base is made under the floor. For this, concrete mortar is usually used. A screed is created from it. In this case, the drainage system with a ladder is first installed. The screed is poured with a slope towards the drain.

When installing a poured floor, the flooring itself is not insulated. The reason for this is that there must be free space underneath so that water can flow freely to the drain hole in the screed. However, to insulate the entire structure, a heat insulator is used during the construction of the concrete base. For this purpose, a heat-insulating filler for the solution or separately expanded clay is often used.

Layed expanded clay under a concrete screed Source dadai.ru

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in home insulation

When creating a concrete base, do not forget about ventilation. They are usually provided around the perimeter. They are necessary for ventilation.

Important! Expanded clay is not used if a bathhouse is being built on poles.

In order not to add this insulation, first a rough base is made from the boards. For example, mineral wool is laid on it. In this case, the heat insulator must be protected from water on all sides.

Then the sheathing is installed at a slope in the direction of the drainage hole of the drainage system. Then the stainless steel sheets are attached. Their joints overlap. Finally, the finishing flooring is installed from boards. This type of floor requires more money and effort, but it turns out to be more protected from wind and low temperatures.

Tile and concrete floors

Before making bathhouse floors in the washing room, it is recommended not to forget that the option made of tiles and on a concrete base is considered one of the most reliable and durable. Tile is an excellent finish for a sink. It is easy to clean and does not require special care. The tile material also has an aesthetic appearance. In addition, the screed provides high strength to the floor.

Interior of a washroom in a bathhouse Source aviarydecor.com

A tiled floor on a concrete base is installed in the following sequence:

compact the soil;
pour gravel or broken brick in a layer the thickness of which is at least 150 mm;
pour the first layer of cement-sand mortar;
lay waterproofing and then insulation material;
cover the heat insulator with waterproofing;
spread the reinforcing material in the form of a mesh;
pour the second layer of screed;
lay tile material.

Making a reinforced screed on the ground Source 24aul.ru
Before creating this floor option, always install a drainage system. When pouring the solution, a slope is necessarily created. Thanks to it, water will flow into the drain. Penoplex or expanded clay are usually used for insulation. These materials can withstand the required loads, which mineral wool cannot boast of.

Frequently asked questions

Some questions that users have can be answered immediately, without waiting for them to arise:

If the floor is wet, is it necessary to install a waterproofing layer over the moisture-proof insulation?

Despite the properties of the heat insulator, it is recommended to cover it with a film to cut off waste water. Over time, the film will develop a layer of slime and can simply be replaced without much expense or labor. It is not practical to change the insulation every year.

If mineral wool is chosen as insulation, how to protect it from water?

The usual technique is used - laying a waterproofing sheet, then mineral wool, on top of which is another layer of polyethylene.

If foil insulation is installed as thermal insulation, will the polyethylene sheet interfere with the passage of reflected infrared rays?

Polyethylene does not interfere with IR rays. However, it is not recommended to use black film; it can cut off some of the rays.

Is it possible to insulate a wooden floor with a layer of expanded clay backfill?

There are no fundamental objections to this matter. Many sources even recommend this option. However, you will have to carefully protect the backfill from water, which is technically difficult and ineffective.

How to lay drain system pipes?

As a rule, they are laid even before the installation of the heat insulator. When laying the pipes, they are covered with pieces of insulation and all cracks and joints are filled with foam, eliminating the possibility of cold bridges.

Selection of insulating material

Professionals always take a responsible approach to choosing insulation for washing in a bathhouse. Typically, a material is used that has minimal hygroscopicity and is resistant to rot. The following heat insulators are most often chosen:

Foamed polystyrene.

It is a foam plastic and is characterized by a dense structure. Therefore, it is used in the construction of wood and concrete floors. It is also water resistant and lightweight. Plates of this material prevent floor freezing because they have low thermal conductivity. However, their disadvantage is that they are attractive to mice. Therefore, foamed polystyrene is not used if such rodents are found on the site.

Foam Source a.mktgcdn.com

Penoplex.

This material is similar to polystyrene foam, but is an improved copy of it. It withstands the negative effects of water, retains heat well and is durable. In addition, penoplex does not emit substances that are dangerous to humans and nature.

Penoplex Source namteplo.org.ua

Useful tips

An insulated wooden floor of a bathhouse is good, but such structures have the unpleasant feature of accumulating water vapor in the underground. For foam plastic and wood, this means an increased risk of fungus and a significant deterioration in thermal insulation. Therefore, vents are installed separately from the foundation for the subfloor with foam plastic. The inlet and outlet windows are closed with pipes, the section of the first is led into the bathhouse dressing room, the outlet is led into the riser of the chimney pipe. It turns out that the stronger and more often the bathhouse is heated, the drier the floor and the better the thermal insulation of the room.

Options for thermal insulation of the floor in the sink

To better understand what kind of floor to make in a bathhouse in a washroom, we’ll talk about two methods of thermal insulation of this building structure.

Floating screed

This type of floor is created on a wooden base, which is made of joists. Professionals carry out work in the following sequence:

Measure the area of the washing room and cut out plywood sheets of the required sizes.
Install the logs so that the distance between them is 400 mm. It prevents the plywood from bending when a person walks.
The plywood is fastened using self-tapping screws, providing a gap between the sheet materials of 2 to 3 mm to compensate for thermal expansion. Before fixing the sheets, cut out holes for the pipes.

Laying plywood sheets Source cozy-house.su

A box is made, which is placed around the perimeter of the washing room. It is created from plywood strips 120 mm wide. The bottom of the box is already laid sheets. The plywood strips are pressed tightly against the walls of the bathhouse using a beam screwed to the floor.

Important! Strips of plywood sheets are not attached to the walls to prevent deformation of the future screed if shrinkage of the foundation or the entire building occurs.

Cover the plywood with mastic so that each seam is well sealed. Particular attention is paid to the joints between the floor and the sides.
Spread polyethylene on top of the mastic layer. At the same time, make sure that it extends onto the walls to a height of 150 mm.
Attach damper tape to all sides of the plywood box.
Styrofoam is laid, the thickness of which is 50 mm. At the same time, they strictly ensure that there are no gaps between the plates and that they are in close contact with the sides.
Use polyurethane foam to seal all the smallest gaps between the insulating material.
The reinforcement is laid in the form of rods - this is the substrate. A masonry mesh is placed on top of it. Instead of rods, plastic pipes or pieces of tiles can be used.

Floor reinforcement Source remontnik.ru

Calculator for calculating floor insulation on the ground

Go to calculations

Explanations for using the calculator

First, using the proposed map diagram, you need to determine the normalized heat transfer resistance for your region. Moreover, the indicator is for floors (these values are shown on the map in blue).

Map-scheme for determining the values of normalized heat transfer resistance for your region in Russia.

Next, the general insulation scheme is determined.

Explanation No. 1.

— Floors on the ground can be insulated exclusively with expanded clay. True, the thickness of the layer has to be made serious.

— Insulation using other materials may also involve the use of expanded clay as a primary thermal insulation “cushion” under the rough screed. But it can also be done without expanded clay, only with the selected insulation.

Explanation No. 2

It is worth taking into account only the coating that will make some sensitive contribution to the overall “ensemble” of floor thermal insulation. For example, it could be a solid board or thick plywood. Laminate, linoleum, ceramic cladding - in fact, they do not add any insulation - their thermal resistance is too low. Therefore, they are ignored - the default layer thickness field is left at “ZERO”.

Explanation No. 3

Expanded clay bedding under the screed can reduce the thickness of the main insulation. In this case, the thickness of this auxiliary “pillow” is indicated in the corresponding regiment. If you decide to do without expanded clay completely, the default thickness is left in this field, equal to “ZERO”.

Calculation results

If previously a calculation with only expanded clay was chosen, then the result of the calculation is the thickness of the expanded clay layer, which ensures complete insulation of the floor.

If some kind of insulating material is selected, then exactly its thickness after pressing the button will be shown as a result of calculations. It is given in millimeters, is the minimum level, and this value is then rounded up to some standard value characteristic of this material.

Video description

This video describes how to create a floating screed in a bathhouse:

Pouring a concrete floor

This method of installing a floor in a washroom is not a complicated option. Although only specialists can handle the work professionally. They pour the concrete floor in stages. Moreover, their every movement is honed to the point of automaticity.

The work is often carried out when installing a rough wooden floor. It is created on the foundation and beams. The top of the rough base is often covered with clay, since it is a good thermal insulation material. Its ability to retain heat increases when straw or sawdust is added.

Specialists carry out pouring a concrete floor as follows:

Level the base using a semi-dry mortar, which is mixed from cement and sand in a ratio of 1:8. It is applied in an even layer. Then the solution is compacted well. After this, check the evenness of the surface using the rule.
Cover the dried base of semi-dry cement-sand mortar with plastic film. The edges of the waterproofing are overlapped. It is 100 mm. At the same time, plastic film is also placed on the walls to a height of 300 mm.

Waterproofing of the rough base Source krainamaystriv.com

Secure the damper tape around the perimeter of the washing room. Folgoisol strips can also be used. Typically the width of this material is from 70 to 100 mm.

On a note! Foam or penoplex slabs are suitable for additional floor insulation. They are mounted on plastic film. When using them, it is necessary to monitor the height of the screed. It should not be higher than in other rooms.

Place cuttings of plastic pipes on the floor.
Rolled metal in the form of rods is laid parallel to each other on the pipe scraps. Often its cross-section is 12 mm. Typically the pitch between the rods is 250 mm.
Place the second reinforcing layer. It is laid perpendicular to the already laid rods. The reinforcement is placed with the same spacing - 250 mm. The intersections of the rods are connected using wire.
Lay out the chain-link mesh. It is attached to the reinforcement frame also using wire.
Prepare a solution, which is poured onto the prepared base with reinforcement. The process is performed without beacons, because they cannot be fixed evenly to the grid.

Features of insulation in a bathhouse on stilts

Considering that in bathhouses built on screw piles, a wooden floor is installed, the technology for its insulation is practically no different from the technology for insulating a log wooden floor

Considering that in bathhouses built on screw piles, a wooden floor is installed, the technology for its insulation is practically no different from the technology for insulating a log wooden floor.

The pile heads are tied with screw beams, which will later serve as a support for the floor covering.
A layer of waterproofing - roofing felt or mastic - is laid on the existing foundation made of wooden beams.
Inside the contour of the upper part of the foundation - the grillage - load-bearing beams are installed on which the subfloor will be laid. In this case, you need to maintain a step of 30-40 cm.
A skull beam is attached to the underside of the beams, on top of which the subfloor is laid.
A layer of waterproofing and insulation itself are laid on top of the floor. On top it is covered with a film or waterproofing material.
Installation of a finished wooden floor.

Video description

To clearly see how a subfloor is made in a bathhouse, watch this video:

The beacons are installed when the rough base is dry.
Clear the base of debris.
Prime the cleaned surface.
Prepare a new solution for the second layer of screed.
Fill the floor surface with the mixture, leveling it along the beacons.
Prime the second layer of dried screed.
Finish the floor in the washroom with tiles, creating the necessary slope towards the ladder.

Briefly about the main thing

The washing room is distinguished by the presence of a large amount of used water, which constantly freezes in winter and periodically thaws in the pores of the wooden elements in the bathhouse. Because of this, they begin to rot. To eliminate the shortcoming, the floor is insulated. This also helps reduce sudden temperature changes.

The washroom has a tiled floor with a concrete base, a solid wooden or pouring floor. All structures are insulated. Depending on the type of floor, foam plastic, mineral wool, penoplex, perlite or expanded clay can be used. Often in the washing department they create a floating screed on a wooden base or pour a completely concrete floor on the ground.

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Preparing rooms and surfaces

If for some reason the floor was not insulated during the construction stage, you will have to dismantle the old floor covering

It is recommended to insulate the floor during the construction stage. If for some reason this does not happen, you will have to dismantle the old floor covering.

To facilitate the assembly of the wooden floor in the future, dismantled boards and decorative elements must be numbered.

After dismantling, it is important to check the suitability of the rough beams (they make up the rough floor). Damaged ones must be replaced with new ones. To avoid rotting, they are treated with an antiseptic.

You cannot coat the material that will be used in the steam room with an antiseptic. When heated in this room, harmful chemical fumes will appear.

Insulation of the floor in different rooms of the bathhouse - steam room, wash room, relaxation room - is done in its own way. This is due to the different temperature conditions and humidity levels that are observed in them.