Vapor barrier for a bath: vapor barrier schemes for ceilings, walls and roofs. Vapor barrier for a bath: recommendations from professionals Is vapor barrier necessary in a wooden bath

In order for a bathhouse, and especially a steam room, to hold steam well, the ceiling in the bathhouse must be insulated and vapor barrier. Wood - breathable natural material, so the vapor barrier for the ceiling in wooden floor has a number of specific features characteristic only of this type of structure.

The principle of heat retention for a bath ceiling

The bathhouse can be classified as a building with special operating conditions. Due to the fact that this is most often an unheated room, with occasional heating of air masses to high temperatures and a large number steam, the ceiling, which absorbs maximum temperature influences, can quickly become unusable.

Depending on the budget and capabilities of the owner, the bathhouse can be a complex of several rooms for undressing and relaxation and a steam room itself, or a small building with a steam room and a dressing room. Regardless of the area, the ceiling must be properly insulated with a mandatory vapor barrier device.

The most common method of producing steam for a Russian bath is to install a heater stove. Large quantity steam released due to temperature differences and excess humidity will settle in the form of condensation on the ceiling filing, up to the formation of large drops that fall down. An unsuccessful vapor barrier in a wooden house will lead to soaking of the insulation, loss of its qualities, and ultimately to excessive fuel consumption and an uncomfortable stay in the steam room.

Because of design features roofs, log baths or timber baths can be divided into two types: with and without an above-ceiling “attic” space.

Depending on this, the vapor barrier device will be designed differently.

Protecting a wooden ceiling from excess moisture - which vapor barrier is better

The air gap under the roof slopes will prevent heat loss, but without additional insulation with a vapor barrier, the bathhouse ceiling will get wet from excess humidity and the wood will deteriorate. This can cause individual deck boards to dry out due to temperature changes and cause mold to form. A properly executed vapor barrier for a bathhouse ceiling involves installing two vapor barriers on both sides of the insulation with a small air gap between them.

If the insulation is not made of fibrous or slab materials, and with bulk material, for example, expanded clay, the vapor barrier is laid on top of the intermediate wooden flooring, from the side of the above-ceiling space.

To lay slab insulation, it is enough to arrange a sheathing of timber with a two-layer membrane-type vapor barrier laid over it, with the rough (absorbing) side down.

It is not advisable to use the following as a vapor barrier for a bath:

Polyethylene film, due to its excessive tightness;
Ruberoid and its varieties under common name“euroruberoid”, due to the possible leakage of bitumen impregnation through the ceiling due to high temperatures;
All types of coating vapor barrier, except for places where chimneys pass through the ceiling.

The best choice is breathable two- or three-layer membranes or foil membranes. The reflective layer of such a vapor barrier will significantly improve the temperature regime in the bathhouse and will reduce the cost of fuel for the stove.

An economical option is to lay craft cardboard impregnated with drying oil.

Vapor barrier of the ceiling in a bathroom in a wooden house is carried out using the same technology, but since maintaining a high temperature in such a room is less important, you can save on installing a foil vapor barrier.

Vapor barrier for the ceiling of a wooden bath

A bathhouse without overhead space, usually a building with flat roof with a slight slope, due to the lack of an air gap, it requires significantly more effort to insulate and vapor barrier the false ceiling. Let's take a closer look at this process.

Sequence of operations:

The vapor barrier is attached over the entire surface of the rough ceiling, extending onto the walls by 15-20mm. It is advisable to seal the junctions with the walls with sealing tapes. The vapor barrier can be installed directly on the rough ceiling or on wooden dies nailed to it in small (no more than 1 m) increments;
If the width of the vapor barrier panels is not enough to cover the entire ceiling, they are attached with an overlap of at least 15-20 mm. For installation, nails with a wide head or staples of a construction stapler are used. It is advisable to place cardboard washers or any other sealing gaskets, for example, cut from the remains of a vapor barrier or any other film, at the fastening points, in order to prevent ruptures of the vapor barrier at the points of contact with the fasteners.
Insulation is laid on top of the vapor barrier. This can be expanded polystyrene (cheaper foam for a bath is not desirable due to its high flammability and release of toxic smoke when ignited), mineral wool, glass wool, slab basalt insulation;
The insulation layer must once again be protected by a vapor barrier to protect against internal moisture;
With a gap of 40-50 cm from the ceiling it is arranged wooden sheathing for fastening the final ceiling lining.

Common finishing for ceiling wooden house- lining with wooden clapboard. It is also appropriate to use it in a log bathhouse. The only difference is that for lining the bathhouse ceiling it is better to use wooden lining made from hardwood.

Using lining from coniferous species on the one hand, it will give an unforgettable forest aroma due to the release of resin when heated, on the other hand, the release of resin will gradually lead to warping wooden lining. There are no such restrictions for other rooms of a wooden house.

To accumulate heat and maintain optimal temperature conditions in the steam room, modern insulation materials are used. However, the main disadvantage of such materials is their high moisture absorption, which leads to a decrease in thermal insulation properties and the gradual destruction of the wooden structure.

An effective way to solve this problem is a vapor barrier in a bathhouse, which will provide reliable protection for insulating materials.

The need to use a vapor barrier

A bathhouse is a building with elevated temperatures and humidity, which in most cases leads to the formation of condensation. To ensure proper removal of excess moisture from the premises, as well as to protect the roof and wall structures from deformation and destruction, a vapor barrier is provided for the bathhouse.

Insulation is applied to the entire structure - basement, foundation, interior and roof. Often, mineral or basalt wool is used as an insulating layer in a bathhouse. Such materials are resistant to rotting and deformation, accumulate heat well, and have a low cost.

If sheets of polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam or rolled polystyrene foam are used for insulation, then there is no need for additional vapor barrier installation.

Vapor barrier is used to protect against moisture and steam in the following cases:

When excess moisture and hot steam from the steam room can penetrate into other functional rooms baths or outside.
When moisture is formed as a result of sudden changes in temperature conditions in the steam room, attic and other rooms, which leads to the appearance of condensation even before the stove begins to warm up.

For the steam room, foil materials are used to reflect and accumulate heat.
Film vapor barriers are used for washing.
Membrane insulation or kraft paper is chosen for the rest room and dressing room.

Materials

On construction market There is a huge selection of materials for vapor barrier of a bath structure. They are divided into several categories:

film;
kraft paper;
membrane;
foil;
coating

Films based on polyethylene and polypropylene

Polyethylene film - the most inexpensive and accessible roll material, width from 2.5 to 6 meters, thickness from 10 to 200 microns. It is suitable for covering walls and ceiling surfaces due to its resistance to rotting and high humidity.

The main disadvantage of the film is its relative fragility and ability to break down under prolonged exposure to high temperatures. For this reason, such a vapor barrier is best used for a waiting room or rest room.

Polypropylene films - reliable and practical option, able to withstand elevated temperatures, resistant to cracking and damage. In addition, they do not lose their vapor barrier characteristics when exposed to hot air and ultraviolet radiation. Often such material is used for the outer cladding of a wooden bathhouse structure.

Films are made on the basis of cellulose and viscose fibers and may have a rough matte surface. Thanks to their porous structure, they are able to retain excess moisture, protecting the thermal insulation layer.

Kraft paper

In rooms with low humidity, it is allowed to use special construction cardboard - kraft paper with a protective foil or lavsan coating.

Foil paper without a polyethylene layer is hygroscopic, so it should not be used for lining a steam room, but for a rest room or dressing room it is a good option.

Dacron paper is a more expensive and wear-resistant material that is designed to protect dry and wet areas.

In addition, the following types of kraft paper vapor barriers are available:

megaflex;
isolar;
Rufizol.

Membrane materials

This is the most popular material for protecting the internal structure of a bathhouse from steam. Distinctive feature insulator is a two-layer design, in which one layer prevents the penetration of steam, and the second provides natural circulation air.

Membrane materials come with one or several layers and can be used for bath rooms with high and high level humidity.

Foil materials

Foil vapor barrier for a bath includes a whole range of protective materials that are resistant to temperature changes and high humidity. The reflective (foil) side of the insulator provides reliable protection against the penetration of steam, infrared and ultraviolet radiation. There are main types of foil vapor barrier:

kraft paper covering;
covering made of kraft paper and lavsan;
fiberglass covering;
foil covering.

Coating materials

These are polymer-bitumen mixtures of an industrial standard, which are successfully used for vapor barrier of bathhouse buildings. When polymerized, rubber creates a durable, wear-resistant film that provides maximum protection from moisture and steam. In addition, it has high heat and sound insulation properties.

As a rule, liquid rubber Suitable for treating floors, as well as walls made of concrete and brick. The material consumption is as follows: for walls - 1.6 kg, for floors - up to 3 kg.

Vapor barrier Izospan

One of the most practical and reliable thermal insulation materials, which are special films based on polypropylene. They have different thicknesses and strengths, and are designed to effectively protect the insulation from the negative effects of moisture.

This material can be used for covering walls and ceilings in steam rooms and washing rooms.

The following grades of material are presented:

FS - polypropylene-based membrane with metal coating;
FX - foamed polyethylene;
FB is a foil insulator based on kraft paper.

Installation technology

An integrated approach to insulation, waterproofing and vapor barrier will provide effective protection against moisture and prevent heat loss.

The installation technology involves the use of modern vapor barrier materials: film, foil and membrane.

Vapor barrier of baths and saunas is carried out in several stages:

Preparatory stage.
Installation of waterproofing.
Laying insulation.
Installation of vapor barrier.
Decorative covering of surfaces.

Ceiling

When exposed to excessive temperatures and humidity, the ceiling surface first of all needs to be carefully insulated and treated with protective vapor barrier materials.

Vapor barrier of the bathhouse ceiling is carried out in the following order:

The log ceiling is pre-sheathed with boards 6 cm thick. A 100-micron foil material or thick cardboard treated with drying oil is fixed on top of the sheathing.
Next, a softened clay layer is laid out and a vapor barrier is laid.
Insulating material is evenly applied to the vapor barrier layer. The bathhouse ceiling can be insulated with mineral or basalt wool up to 5 cm thick. It is recommended to choose ecological wool or expanded clay filler as seamless insulation.
A moisture-proof membrane is fixed to the insulation or wood flooring. This will prevent possible moisture from entering the insulating layer.

Walls

Which vapor barrier should I choose for installation on walls in wet rooms of a bathhouse? As a rule, glassine, aluminum and polyethylene based films are used for this. These are the most accessible and inexpensive materials.

Vapor barrier of bath walls is carried out in the following order:

A wooden sheathing is installed on the load-bearing wall structures, the thickness of which is 2.5 cm greater than that of the heat-insulating layer.
The insulation is installed between the sheathing elements. For this you can use mineral wool or glass wool.
A vapor barrier is laid on the insulating layer. How to lay material to prevent heat loss and steam penetration? Installation is carried out from the far corner, the edges of the film are fixed with an overlap of 12 cm. A stapler and metal staples are used for fixation, the joints are sealed with tape.
It is important not to forget that. The foil heat-reflecting base of the film is directed inside the room, and the foam base is directed towards the insulation.
A wooden sheathing is mounted on the vapor barrier layer to create a technological gap for natural ventilation.
A wooden lining is fixed to the sheathing.

Floor

How to make a vapor barrier for a floor? The installation technology depends on the design features of the bathhouse. As a rule, a steam room is equipped with a wooden flooring equipped with a drain hole, which can lead to significant heat loss.

The correct solution to the problem is a multi-layer floor with waterproofing, insulation and vapor barrier.

Work on vapor barrier of wooden flooring is carried out as follows:

On wooden boards a thin layer of liquid waterproofing is applied.
Basalt wool is mounted on top.
A vapor barrier material that is resistant to rot is placed on the insulating layer.
Next is executed concrete screed foundations of the required thickness and laying decorative flooring - porcelain stoneware or tiles.
A wooden flooring is laid on the lined base for ease of use of the steam room.

Roof

In some cases, it is not enough to only perform a vapor barrier on wall and ceiling surfaces; in order to provide protection from high humidity, it is necessary to take care of the vapor barrier of the roof.

To do this, a special insulating membrane is installed in the attic in the wooden ceiling of the bathhouse, with an insulating layer on top, and waterproofing on top of it. A counter-lattice is installed on the waterproofing layer, to which the selected roofing material is fixed.

Other premises

Whether it is worthwhile to perform a vapor barrier in other bath rooms, the owner of the building decides independently. If a wooden bathhouse is not insulated from the inside and outside, then vapor barrier can be eliminated - drying of the interior will be carried out thanks to the natural ventilation of the wood.

Brick, block and concrete buildings require the installation of vapor barriers. In this case, not only the insulation material must be dried, but also the entire structure of the bathhouse - walls, floors and ceilings.

Therefore, when installing a vapor barrier layer, additional waterproofing of surfaces is provided.

Do-it-yourself installation of vapor barrier materials is technically simple, but requires a responsible approach and attention. Only in this case is reliable and effective protection of the steam room from the destructive effects of moisture and hot steam ensured.

Vapor barrier of the bathhouse ceiling is another relevant topic that I would like to consider separately. Of particular interest, of course, are the materials available on the market, which we will list and describe below.

What is it for?

The main purpose of this structural element of the ceiling pie is to protecting its remaining elements from getting wet.

Everything seems to be clear. However, a logical question arises: is it needed in the entire bathhouse or can it be limited to the rooms that are the most humid - the steam room and the washing room?

The answer to this is simple: no, You can’t limit yourself to a steam room and a washing room, because vapor barrier is part of the standard ceiling pie, regardless of the room in which it is being built. Why is this so?

Because the main element that needs protection is thermal insulation material , lying a level higher. Since in most cases this is mineral wool, the mats of which are most affordable and easy to install, one must also take into account the property of this material, such as sensitivity to the accumulation of condensate in its thickness.

The fact is that moisture accumulating between the fibers stone wool, in a significant way reduces its thermal insulation properties. After all, the main heat insulator is always air. We simply create a heat-resistant environment for it in the form of thin mineral wool fibers or clay partitions in expanded clay balls. Water, on the contrary, connects the fibers (this does not apply to expanded clay, the clay is baked there, and water does not get inside the balls), improving the conduction of heat through this medium.

Condensation forms not only when the room is very humid, but also when there is temperature difference between what is inside and what is outside. And humidity is present in every room and outside it; it is a natural component of the air.

CONCLUSION! Ceiling insulation is more of a tribute to the properties of a heat insulator and wooden structures, which also do not tolerate moisture well, being destroyed by it, rather than a characteristic feature of a bathhouse or specifically a steam room with a washing room.

In the Russian steam room

The above does not mean that a steam room or washing room does not need increased protection from moisture. Steam- These are drops of water heated and suspended in the air, rising upward to the ceiling. If you don't put an obstacle in place, they will go higher, settling on the colder parts of the structures.

By quantity of steam Russian steam room It is second only to the Turkish hammam, but it is usually finished with tiles or mosaics, which makes it less sensitive. The Russian steam room is traditionally finished with wood, and if its surface layer, for example, lining, is inevitably sacrificed and takes all the blows of increased temperature and humidity, then the inner layers can (and should) be protected.

We will talk about the methods of vapor barrier of the ceiling in a bathhouse a little lower, but for now it is important to draw conclusions - a Russian steam room clearly needs a well-thought-out and powerful vapor barrier. Does the same apply to the sauna?

In the sauna

It is not for nothing that the Finnish sauna is called “dry air”. In the orthodox version, the humidity in the sauna minimum, component no more than 5-15%. The Finns don’t pour much water on the stones, which is understandable - they either lay them out in a mound on top of the stove, or in a mesh covering the body, and this does not give the stones the heat needed to produce light, fine steam. Instead The steam is thick and heavy.

Besides, high temperatures Finnish steam rooms do not allow a person to easily absorb excess steam.

IMPORTANT! There is a rule - the higher the temperature, the less steam is needed for people to feel comfortable in the steam room. The reverse is also true.

The third essential property of a sauna is energetic air exchange, which is arranged using natural or forced ventilation.

To summarize: the sauna has good ventilation and high temperature, both help eliminate excess moisture, so even the surface layer of the ceiling will not suffer much during the procedures. However, insulation of the ceiling is mandatory, which means you need to make sure that the insulation does not accumulate condensation even due to temperature differences. That's why you still need to isolate it, except that the vapor barrier itself may be standard, but (since the temperature in the sauna is high) it must be designed for exposure to heat.

Proper waterproofing of the top of the insulation will also help, but more on that later.

What is the difference between vapor barrier and waterproofing

Vapor barrier films

And here it is interesting question. In essence, in both cases we are talking about the effect of moisture, it’s just that in the first case an increased temperature is added to it. Therefore, it would be correct to use these concepts and related materials something like this:

vapor barrier is being done from the inside premises so that water vapor that arises inside does not turn into condensation when faced with the cold of the external environment;
waterproofing is done primarily to protect against moisture entering from outside, and it can be both in the form of water vapor and in the form of precipitation.

When it comes to ceiling insulation, vapor barrier- this is the bottom layer, waterproofing– top layer. However, if the bathhouse has a second floor with a residential attic, then the term “waterproofing” becomes somewhat arbitrary, because protection is carried out from the same vapors, only found in the insulation.

Hence, probably, the constant confusion that can often be found in descriptions.

REMEMBER! There is also a purely mechanical difference between the materials used for vapor and waterproofing. The vapor barrier does not “breathe” at all; it is designed not to let anything pass through it at all - neither air, nor steam, nor liquid. And waterproofing is preferably “breathable”, that is, capable of releasing water vapor in one direction, and in the opposite direction - preventing their penetration.

If you take this into account, do not make any mistakes either when steam or waterproofing the ceiling in the bathhouse. Here’s another video that will reinforce what has been said (advertising, of course, but you don’t have to watch it to the end):

What types can be found on sale?

And again, it’s interesting to figure out what a vapor barrier film for the ceiling is, what can they offer us in the store? In general, it’s probably worth clarifying right away that the class of vapor barrier films is not all that can be found on sale. It is worth telling about such a popular foil, and about foil materials, and much more.

Vapor barrier films

There are polyethylene And polypropylene. The difference, as you understand, is in the polymers. Polypropylene is more expensive, its melting point is 40 degrees higher than polyethylene (better for a bath), but it is more fragile and can withstand frost 10 times worse (PE - up to -50, and PP - up to -5), PP more elastic, but still less durable.

Also on the film may or may not be present perforation. Since we are talking about a vapor barrier, it cannot be perforated and single-layer. Therefore, perforation is allowed only in the second layer.

ATTENTION! According to the rules, the perforated side faces outward from the insulation.

The advantages of perforation are questionable - during operation, these holes are easily clogged with dust.

IMPORTANT! Do not confuse perforated films and real membranes - they are not the same thing at all, even if they tell you that both “breathe”. Even if you use this verb, they do it differently.

Reinforced And not reinforced. An ordinary film is not reinforced with anything, but you can easily distinguish a reinforced one - it has a thread base made of a different material. The film is reinforced for the sole purpose of increasing its strength. And this really helps, it is more difficult to damage mechanically.

Reflective foil vapor barrier film

Another way to improve the properties of conventional films is foiling. A thin layer of metal makes such a film reflect infrared radiation. On the other hand, fragile foil with polymer base becomes more durable.

Regarding anti-condensation films, then they are not for vapor barriers and not for the ceiling - they are for roof waterproofing.

Foil

But this is generally a favorite of those bathhouse owners who want to both retain heat and provide a reliable barrier to steam. Aluminum foil absolutely impenetrable for steam. However, the rolls have a limited width, so you have to overlap and seal the joints, and the seams are always imperfect. So, if any moisture penetrates into the insulation, it will not be the fault of the foil itself.

ATTENTION! Vapor protection is secondary for foil, its main purpose is reflection infrared radiation back to the steam room. Moreover, it is placed exclusively in a steam bath.

Upholstering the ceiling in a bathhouse with foil pure form many people don't like her because of her fragility– it tears easily, in addition, it is easy to cut yourself on it; this material requires great care in working.

That's why there are plenty of them on sale combined materials - foil increases the operating temperature range of the films used, and they, in turn, protect it from ruptures. In addition, the presence of a polymer backing allows you to make the foil layer thinner - in its pure form you simply would not be able to lay it with such a thickness.

Many film companies have expanded their range to include foil materials, so when we get to specific names, just keep in mind that they most likely have them.

Now is not the time to argue about whether foil is needed in the bathhouse or not. In essence, all questions of this kind can be reduced to one thing: does a person know the materials enough to get exactly the desired effect or does he not know. And the circumstances can be very different.

Ruberoid or glassine

Both are the result impregnation of cardboard with petroleum bitumen. Both can, in principle, be used for vapor barrier bath ceiling, however, we still would not recommend these two materials over the steam room.

However, you may not listen to our opinion, because the temperatures in the steam room are different for everyone, and the ceilings themselves will not be the same, so in some cases such a vapor barrier may turn out to be quite acceptable.

Since we are talking about materials enough cheap, they can be used in budget construction, when, for example, a flat ceiling scheme is used. In this case, roofing felt or glassine is placed directly on the flooring boards from the attic side and serves as a backing for the insulation.

Kraft paper

This is a great option for those who decide to stay warm ecowool. Vapor barrier kraft paper is a cardboard that can be single-layer or two-layer. Coating polymer film It can be on one side of a single-layer cardboard or between two layers of a double-layer cardboard. Can be added for greater strength reinforcing mesh, which is also located between the layers of cardboard.

This paper is produced in Finland and is intended for insulating environmentally friendly insulation materials made from cellulose or flax fiber.

NOTE! Without film, construction cardboard is vapor permeable.

Is it possible to use kraft paper with other types of insulation, for example mineral wool? Yes, you can.

Foil Kraft Paper

Izospan

Well, let's see what he is. This is a material that consists of three layers of polymers, two of them are exactly polypropylene. The first layer of polypropylene is a regular film, it is smooth. In the middle (second layer) there is a reinforcing mesh, the material of which is not specified. The third layer is non-woven material, all made from the same polymer. Non-woven materials (= something like felt) are usually used to create an anti-condensation layer, in this case its use is not entirely clear.

Izospan B for a bath on the ceiling

However, in addition to vapor barrier of ceiling insulation, this type of film can also be used for waterproofing, for example, floors and roofs. Let's classify the rough third layer as waterproofing. Although this is a little strange - if the film is vapor barrier, then it is impenetrable to vapors, if it is waterproofing, it is permeable. What is a universal film, suitable here and there? Mystery. At least for us.

IN technical specifications it is said that Izospan B vapor-tight, its temperature regime is -60+80 degrees. In terms of temperature characteristics, it is not particularly suitable for a steam room. In other rooms, if desired, you can use it.

A little about the manufacturers and their products

Armitex-75– analogue of Izospan V. Only without reinforcing mesh, apparently. It has smooth and rough sides. The manufacturer advises facing the rough side towards the insulation.

The Czechs release films under the label Jutafol(Yutafol). They have several types of films only as vapor barriers, they are all included in the group Yutafol N. Among other things, you can find films with a reagent that causes the flame to die out, preventing a fire. Some are reinforced, some are foil.

Luxembourg company DuPont produces a foil vapor barrier called AirGuard® Reflective.

Poles make films Folder the following varieties: Minima H 98, Silver H 98 and Alum H 90. The numbers indicate grams per square meter. The latter is foil, suitable for baths and saunas. Others, however, are also suitable. Minima is not as durable as Silver.

Russian-Polish film Optima B Suitable for insulating insulation. This is a two-layer film with a density of 75 g/m2, with smooth and rough sides.

A company that produces the popular roofing material Ondulin also produces roofing films. There are also vapor barrier ones among them. This Ondutis R 70, RV, RS and Thermo. The latter is foil, RV does not have reinforcement, but RS does, and RS can be considered an analogue of Yutafol standard 110. Thermo is suitable for steam room ceilings, because the foil there is protected by a layer of polyester with a melting point of 200 degrees!

Technology: DIY

We will not talk again about how they are made grazing And hemmed ceilings. You can read about it.

When we already have rough ceiling of one type or another, a layer of vapor barrier material can be attached to it.

Foil and foil polymers are attached from below, from the side of the steam room. Moreover, it is worth remembering that there is also an overlap of 10-15 cm on the wall. The strips are overlapped, also 10-15 cm. It is advisable to seal the fastening with a stapler and the joints with metallized tape.

But films you can lay them from the attic side directly on the “floor”, and on them, without any intermediate material, put insulation - be it mineral wool, ecowool, expanded clay or something else.

Don’t forget that the top of the insulation is covered with vapor-PERMEABLE waterproofing.

In principle, the films could also be attached from below, like foil. Both options are acceptable. Actually, the entire vapor barrier of the ceiling in a bathhouse with your own hands comes down to either hemming it from below, from the ceiling side, or laying it from above, from the side of the attic or attic floor.

And all the subtleties are neat sealing joints and transition on the walls. That's it. The basic tools you will need are a stapler and scissors.

Traditional insulation methods and materials

Progress has both disadvantages and advantages. But when it comes to vapor barriers, traditional ways to achieve vapor-tight ceilings turn out to be very doubtful if we compare them with what modern technology has given us.

Just for reference: ceilings in Rus' in log buildings were made on three beams fixed on opposite walls of the log house. Poles were placed across these beams - these were logs or half-logs. They formed the basis of the then ceiling. Of course, between the poles there were cracks.

So, the only analogue of a vapor barrier in the construction of floors at that time could be covering these cracks with clay. Yes, but as insulation they put everything on top of them - straw, and even hay, and yarn, and hemp, and flax, and twigs, and dry leaves... In general, they put what was at hand.

For reference, we studied part of an archaeological book about construction in Rus' in the 10th-11th centuries. Now think for yourself - why bother so much when even with the smallest budget you can buy plastic film and protect the attic space from steam with it?

Useful video

This video will help you distinguish between different types of film materials for protecting ceilings and roofs:

Let's summarize: if we had insulation at our disposal that would not suffer at all from moisture getting into it, the entire technology of the device would change standard ceiling and roofs in the bathhouse. But for now we are betting on mineral wool, you will have to do a vapor barrier and waterproofing. Foam plastics, of course, do not suffer from moisture, but they try not to use them in the bathhouse.

Vapor barriers are manufactured to protect building materials, used to create walls and ceilings, from moisture that comes from inside the room in the form of vapor particles. In most cases, it is used to prevent the insulation located inside the structure from picking up liquid from condensation.

At the same time, the vapor barrier in the bathhouse can also perform the function of sealing the room, which allows you to reach the required temperature much earlier.

Principles of vapor barrier

To begin with, it should be noted that this type of protection is significantly different from waterproofing and uses completely different materials. At the same time, you need to understand that it is mainly the walls and ceiling that are exposed to vapors, which means that it is not worth considering types of floor protection. However, it is worth saying that the vapor barrier of the bathhouse is also done on the floor, but here again materials are used to protect against direct contact with water.

Film

This material is very popular among modern builders. It has a fairly low cost, tolerates moisture well and at the same time has a long service life.
However, if the vapor barrier of the bathhouse ceiling is done in a steam room, then the film should not be used. The fact is that it does not tolerate high temperatures at all and even with moderate heating it begins to lose its shape. Considering this, they prefer to install it in the rest room.
The installation process is quite simple. This vapor barrier is fixed to the bathhouse using special heat-resistant tape along the entire perimeter of the surface. At the same time, if joints are formed, then they must be placed, overlapping, gluing on both sides.

Some craftsmen use a stapler to fix the material onto the sheathing, but this will disrupt the sealing, which will greatly weaken protective functions films.
It should be noted that there is a special vapor barrier for the bathhouse made from similar materials. However, its cost is so high that, in combination with insulation, it forces builders to look for other methods of moisture protection.

Advice!
The film must be purchased without seams.
It is in these places that it is most vulnerable and can tear.

Foil

This type of insulation is of great importance for a bathhouse, namely for a steam room. Not only does it perfectly impermeable to moisture, but it also reflects infrared radiation. This allows the room to be heated much faster.
Particularly effective this material at the moment when the vapor barrier of the ceiling in the bathhouse is carried out, since this is where the largest accumulation of moisture and infrared radiation is located. However, professional builders advise using it to work in all rooms and on any planes.

onto the surface in the same way as film. In this case, fixation is carried out exclusively with heat-resistant tape.
All work must be done very carefully, since this product breaks very easily.
It is also necessary to remember that the vapor barrier of the walls in the bathhouse is made on top of the insulation, but it should not come into contact with it. Otherwise there will be no air gap between the two materials. This will lead to condensation accumulating on the insulation and it may lose its qualities.

Advice!
Some craftsmen claim that any metal foil can be used for these purposes.
However, professionals advise using only material made from food-grade aluminum.
The fact is that when heated, it will not emit harmful substances, which is typical for some other products.

Special materials

Currently, materials for vapor barrier of baths based on foam insulation have become extremely popular.
The fact is that such buildings are made mainly from timber or logs. If they use it, then it must be insulated from the outside. Thus, the entire structure is sufficiently protected from the cold and does not require internal insulation.

However, the steam room should be equipped with a coating that contains a reflective surface, since in this case we are talking about savings and energy conservation.
Taking this into account, many craftsmen prefer not to install it from the inside, but rather install roll insulation into the steam room, which is a foam base coated with foil.
This Izospan vapor barrier for a bathhouse has a thickness of no more than one centimeter, which allows great savings on space.

Also, its base is a kind of insulation, which of course cannot be compared with mineral wool or expanded polystyrene, but it does its job perfectly, considering that the walls are wooden or are also protected from the cold from the outside.
Special attention is paid to the fact that the price of this material along with the work is much lower than the cost of insulation, film and foil combined.
To install such insulation, special tape is used. It also has a shiny surface and perfectly reflects infrared rays.
Before you purchase similar products The installation instructions recommend paying attention to their quality certificate. The point is that in lately Many fakes have begun to appear that do not meet the stated characteristics. Their foam lining not only does not tolerate high heat, but also emits harmful substances.

The same requirements must be applied to the quality of adhesive tape.
Given this situation, professionals always purchase only from trusted sellers, trying to purchase goods from one manufacturer. At the same time, they will always try its quality with their own hands, since with constant work, some of them have learned to determine it by touch.

Advice!
To save money, you can install insulation with a layer of foil in the steam room, while in other rooms you should use polyethylene foam.
The fact is that a reflective surface is needed only where there is a source of infrared radiation.
Otherwise it will cause cost overruns.

Conclusion

In the video presented in this article you will find additional information on this topic. Also, based on the text presented above, we can conclude that vapor barrier has certain differences from waterproofing and completely different materials must be used for its installation.

At the same time, the process of manufacturing such protection is quite simple and almost anyone can handle it, but you must be very careful when working, since all these insulators tolerate mechanical stress very poorly.