Among the huge range of insulation materials for baths, consumers increasingly prefer aluminum foil. This coating is affordable and simple. It perfectly retains heat indoors, eliminating the rapid cooling of the building. This reduces energy consumption and guarantees a comfortable pastime inside.
Among the main advantages of this material are the following:
- high refractory qualities;
- good vapor and moisture resistance;
- high reflectivity;
- excellent anti-corrosion properties.
The vapor barrier qualities prevent the leakage of hot steam, which afterwards does not accumulate in the coating. Aluminum foil does not deform, does not emit harmful substances and fumes, and is durable and hygienic. Cloths are highly plastic, they are resistant to ultraviolet and are easy to install. They are immune to chemicals and can withstand high temperatures over time.
Foil perfectly protects adjacent adjacent rooms, if the bath is located inside the house. With proper installation, even thin sheets will not tear and warp. However, this material must be purchased with a margin of 7%. The foil for the bath is good in that it can endure temperatures up to 145 ° C. In combination with high reflectivity, this property allows you to save heat inside the steam room for 2.5 hours longer compared to other heaters. This provides a thermos effect. Thermal insulation is universal in use and is suitable for surfaces that do not require special treatment with fungicidal substances.
Which foil to choose
If you want to decide what kind of foil for the bath to choose, then you should consider several options. Different types of such coatings have special characteristics and properties. For example, “Folgoizolon” is a foil that is applied to foamed polyethylene. Thermal insulation in rolls or sheets is offered. Among the advantages should be highlighted:
- high noise insulation properties;
- excellent durability;
- depreciation qualities;
- the ability to lay material on the surface without thermal insulation.
Suitable "Folgoizolon" for log walls and surfaces with a battens. The bases may be lined with clapboard. The thickness of the material reaches 100 mm, and the length and width of the canvas can be equal to 120 cm and 600 mm, respectively. This is true for sheet material, whereas when it comes to rolls, the thickness varies from 20 to 110 mm, and the length is standard and equal to 25 or 30 m.The width of the roll is also fixed and can be equivalent to 100 or 120 cm.
Such a heater for a bath with foil is able to withstand up to 125 ° C. Another variation is paper-based foil. This material is also called kraft foil. It is environmentally friendly and is used on any surface, however, the material should be combined with insulation. Sheets can have a thickness of 0.03 to 1 mm. The temperature range is somewhat narrower and varies from 50 to 85 ° C.
Laminated Foil Reviews
Another type of foil is a lined aluminum material, which is made by combining polyethylene, paper and foil. As a result, it is possible to obtain a layer that, according to consumers, is characterized by high barrier properties.
Canvases have impressive impermeability to vapor and gases. If we compare with the film, then with its thickness of 9 microns, it will have a water vapor throughput of 0.1 g per m 2 per day. Customers love the high hygiene performance of lined foil. In humid conditions, the surface will not create a breeding ground for the development of mitoxins and microflora. One cannot but mention elasticity. Such a material resists compression loads while maintaining its original shape.
Among the main types of laminated foil, it is worth highlighting kraft paper with foil, which is a three-layer lamination material. Its first layer is kraft paper, the second is thin polyethylene, while the third is aluminum foil itself. Kraft paper is made from long-fiber cellulose by leveling and using chemical salts.
According to users, kraft paper is notable for its density, wear resistance and mechanical strength. As for polyethylene, it has impressive thermoplastic, vapor barrier and water repellent properties. The foil also performs its main function - it reflects heat inside the room.
If you purchase Chinese-made material, then you will have to pay $ 26 per sheet. Laminated foil from European manufacturers is more expensive - $ 45 per sheet. Domestic manufacturer offers foil on kraft paper for $ 20 per sheet.
100 μm foil characteristics
On sale today is a foil for a bath of 100 microns, which is polished and has the appearance of a roll. Its width is 1 m, if it is a solid variety. The annealed foil has a width of 0.5 m. The length reaches 10 m. One roll weighs 2.5 kg.
It is possible to use this foil for a bath, the thickness of which is 0.1 mm, at temperatures up to 650 ° C. Its reflectivity is 97%. The material has a smooth surface and can be used in the construction of underfloor heating, air ducts, furnaces, boilers, as well as for insulation for various purposes. The layer effectively protects against fire, it is resistant to corrosion and retains heat in the coolant.
Such foil in rolls acts as an excellent vapor barrier. It can replace materials such as:
- glassine;
- roofing material;
- bitumen paper.
The latter emit harmful substances when exposed to temperature. You can use the foil as an independent reflective insulator and in combination with other heat-insulating materials. Polished surface is an ideal reflector, increases the efficiency of thermal insulation.
Operation is possible not only inside, but also outside the premises. This area of use provides insulation of roofs, attics, attics, floors, walls, pipes, ceilings, ventilation, ceilings, water heaters, vans and wall sections behind heating radiators. Such a foil acts as a sun-reflecting panel on the windows.
Reviews of foil mineral wool
Foiled mineral wool can be represented by soft roll and hard mats. According to experts, this expands the scope of use. Among the main advantages of the first of the mentioned types, according to consumers, a high degree of moisture and vapor barrier should be highlighted.
As for the foil wool in the form of hard mats, they have excellent insulating properties and are easy to lay. The thickness of soft rolls can reach 10 mm, and the maximum exposure temperature, as emphasized by home craftsmen, is quite high and reaches 125 ° C.
Reviews of foil in rolls
This material is not only sold in the form of panels. If you want to buy foil for a bath, you can choose the material in rolls. It has a low cost, which is complemented by ease of installation. Installation of such a foil is possible only on a refractory heat-insulating material with fastening with metal brackets.
Buyers like that the sheet thickness is minimal and can be 0.5 mm. The width of the roll is 1500 mm. According to consumers, the temperature range is quite wide and varies from -50 to +75 ° C.
Additional properties of foamed polystyrene foam
This material is combined and consists of a polyethylene foam with a closed porous structure. It is complemented by aluminum foil. Canvases are used as sound insulation and heat-shielding material for indoor and outdoor use. The combination of these layers allows economical and efficient decoration of baths and saunas. Among the main properties should be highlighted:
- shock absorbing qualities;
- health safety;
- vapor barrier properties;
- ability to reflect heat up to 98%;
- long working resource;
- chemical resistance.
Selection of foil coating according to the recommended layer
In order to achieve high-quality coating during installation, adhere to the thickness of the foil insulation. It will depend on the material and wall thickness. If the brick is the basis, and the steam room wall thickness reaches 37 cm, then the recommended layer should be from 8 to 10 mm. If the basis is concrete or brick, and the wall thickness varies from 25 to 35 cm, then the foil insulation must have a thickness of 10 to 12 mm. In the case of a wooden log house from 10 to 15 cm, you should use foil insulation, the thickness of which varies from 6 to 8 mm.
When using the same material, but with an increase in wall thickness to 20 cm, a foil layer from 4 to 6 mm in thickness should be used. The foil for the bath will be with a layer of 2 to 4 mm, if the wooden blockhouse in thickness exceeds 20 cm.
As an additional insulating layer, you can use glass wool or basalt wool. Similar mineral thermal insulators are suitable. Aluminum foil or similar coatings will reflect heat inside the premises, so it is better to install such a layer in a steam room, insulated according to the principle of a pie. This recommendation is relevant for saunas and baths made of concrete or brick. Advice is also suitable for frame buildings. With a sufficient thickness of the outer walls of wooden log cabins, a layer of additional thermal insulation can be neglected, but when choosing foil material, do not give preference to thin canvases of kraft paper in foil.
Mounting technology
When installing the foil for the bath, you must adhere to tips that will achieve the effectiveness of the coating and a comfortable stay in the steam room. When it has an impressive area, you can use a basalt or mineral based foil. When laying the material in a non-profit bath, it is sufficient to use kraft paper in foil or roll foil. The thickness of the material should be 3 mm or more.
When the bath is located inside the house or in the basement, it is necessary to take into account the central heating and the location of its sources. Such a system in this case will act as additional air heating.
When finishing the bath with foil, it is important to provide for the removal of condensate. In this case, the canvas is displayed on the walls and floor. Foil material should be laid with an overlap of 20 cm and glued with foil tape. In order to ensure the effect of a thermos, a 15 mm gap must be placed between the foil coating and the decorative cladding. It will provide ventilation and guarantee a healthy microclimate.
Foil mounting algorithm
If you are interested in how to fix the foil in the bath, you should know that the process is divided into several stages. The most convenient to use will be sheets or rolls, the width of which is 60 cm or 1.2 m. On the walls it is necessary to make a crate. For this, square bars with a side of 5 cm are used.
Between adjacent strips, a distance is maintained, which depends on the width of the material. If rolls of 600 and 1200 mm are used in the work, the step will be 60 cm. For foil materials with a width of 1000 and 1500 mm, the distance between the bars will be 50 cm. The bars are fastened with self-tapping screws of suitable length. Between the slats is a layer of mineral insulation so that it does not protrude beyond the level of the bars.
Once you have decided which foil is best for the bath in your case, it should be strengthened over the thermal insulation with the obligatory placement of the reflective layer inside the steam room. Joints of sheets and paintings are glued with metal tape. But it is important to consider that under the influence of temperatures the glue can soften, which will contribute to the divergence of the paintings and the violation of sealing. Fixing is best done with nails or staples, nailing them onto the bars.
With an impressive width, the foil material is attached not only at the edges, but also in the center. The foil for the walls of the bath is sutured with lining. An air pocket of 0.5 cm should be left between these layers. Its main function is to reduce the thermal conductivity of the foil and reflect the rays that have fallen on its surface. The air gap will be created by the crate under the lining. For this, 20 mm slats are selected, which are fastened with self-tapping screws.
In some cases, the order of the materials changes. At the same time, a layer of foil is printed on the heat insulation layer between the bars of the battens with nails or staples, which is fastened on top with thin rails. They should be placed on top of the crate.
Sometimes the frame is stuffed on top of the insulation. In this case, the foil is laid over the entire area of the wall, as well as on the bars. Leaving the air gap in this case is impractical. Lining fastening by this technology is carried out on the crate. Practice shows that the use of heat-insulating materials with a layer of foil saves and simplifies the installation process.
Ceiling foil mounting
After reading reviews of the foil for the bath, you can understand that it has a wide area of use. It can be installed not only on the walls, but also on the ceiling. To do this, it is covered with roll paper with a wide overlap. At the next stage, the paper is fixed with square bars with a side of 5 cm. A heater is installed between them.
The next step will be the installation of foil. She will block the insulator. It is important to ensure absolute solidity. Mounting is carried out with duct tape, which can be purchased at a hardware store. Quite often, it is sold with foil.
Among these tapes are substandard. Checking this is quite simple: a piece of material must be glued to a piece of foil and try to tear it off. If you have ordinary tape in your hands, then coping with the task will not be so simple. If you want to know in detail how to sheathe the bathhouse inside with foil, then the extreme sections and joints must be carefully fixed. This is to prevent moisture penetration. It is important to achieve tightness.
Instead of aluminum foil, you can use wax paper or thick cardboard. It is pre-impregnated with drying oil. But on such a vapor barrier it will be necessary to lay a layer of clay, only after which you can proceed with insulation. The foil is fixed with bars of 2 x 3 cm cross-section. This will save air exchange, and later on you can install decorative finishes on the bars.
Finally
Insulation for the bath with foil allows you to save up to 30% on heating raw materials for furnaces. This extends the life of the building and eliminates the development of mold, fungus and harmful microorganisms.
You can purchase the foil separately, but quite often it is combined with other thermal insulation materials. The most convenient installation will be in the case when the layers are interconnected even in a factory. In this case, you will not be mistaken in the order of the layers. The new thermal insulation used in conjunction with the foil layer must be protected from moisture. This is necessary so that over time the insulation does not lose its properties. After all, it can crumple, which will cause a leakage.