From the point of view of thermal insulation qualities, a bath is a rather specific structure. Especially in the steam room, it is important to maintain optimal temperature conditions, as well as maintaining a sufficient level of humidity. As a rule, these parameters are calculated individually, but the question of how to make the floors in the bath warm does not lose its relevance. It would seem that it is enough to implement the structure in accordance with the project, and if the construction plan was completed by specialists, then there will be no problems in maintaining heat. And yet there are cases when, in addition to the main thermal insulation, bath owners decide to perform additional heating using underfloor heating systems.
Floor arrangement with regard to thermal insulation
One of the most difficult to insulate is a concrete floor. Therefore, even at the stage of its formation, it is necessary to take into account some subtleties of thermal insulation. To keep opportunities in the futureto make a warm floor in the bath with your own hands without major alterations, you should rely on the technology of the insulated screed device. First of all, the foundation is poured, after which you can start laying the concrete slab.
Next, waterproofing is performed, on which insulation is laid. After that comes a concrete layer with a reinforcing mesh. At this stage, it is possible to lay a warm floor and subsequent topcoat. Knowing how to make the floors in the bath warm should also help in choosing the top decorative flooring, which will also participate in the heat transfer process. In order for the solution itself to be as thermally insulated as possible, expanded clay should be used as a filler. It also makes sense to lay a special insulator after each layer of concrete.
Insulation materials
If only additional insulation is planned, it is important not to miscalculate with the material. To understand how to properly make a warm floor in a bath, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of such insulators as polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam and perlite. The most affordable is foam. In addition, it is an easy-to-work and lightweight material, the plates from which do not rot and do not absorb moisture. The panels are laid on the floor in two layers, while the joints must be sealed with mounting foam or the remains of the foam itself.
Lightweight perlite, due to its nature, requires special care during installation. For example, it is better to completely close the bath room, otherwise the materialblown by the wind. These inconveniences are compensated by the low thermal conductivity of perlite, which it will provide during operation. There is a special recipe for how to make the floors in the bath warm with perlite. To do this, mix the material with water in a ratio of 2: 1 and add cement to the container. The resulting solution should be laid on a concrete base in a thin layer. Expanded polystyrene is well suited to replace traditional mineral wool and bulk insulators. During installation, panels with a thickness of up to 25 cm are used, as well as sprayed material.
Floor heating from a heater
To create a more thorough floor heating system, you should use the resource of a stone stove. The basis of the heating structure will be a metal "shirt", including a longitudinal pipe, from which branches will be drawn. The connections between the outlets are provided by tubes and, as a result, are closed into a common system. A “shirt” is installed above the firebox in the stove itself. Water circulation is realized by means of a pump or water exchange occurring under the influence of a temperature difference.
This model demonstrates the technology of how to make a warm concrete floor in a bath using a water resource. Modern systems for warm floor coverings operate on a similar principle (they will be discussed later). An extensive network of pipes is integrated into the floor of the bath, warming it during periods of heating. In other words, the metal "shirt" works on the principle of a boiler that heats water. For the full operation of the system, it is necessary toa buffer tank that should be installed outside the oven and connected to the “jacket” with metal pipes.
Water floor heating
To install a heated water floor, you must purchase a special kit that will include a thermostat and a set of fittings with connecting elements. Separately, it is worth taking a closer look at the pipes - these can be steel, metal-plastic or polyethylene models. To figure out how to make a water-heated floor in a bath, you must initially plan a piping layout. In addition, the coolant that will circulate in the pipes, warming the bath floor, matters - in addition to water, it can be ethylene glycol, antifreeze or another special solution.
To minimize heat loss, a heat insulator should be laid on the pipes. In order to increase heat transfer, it is necessary to supplement the design with aluminum foil. There are two options for the configuration of pipes under the floor covering - "snail" and "snake". In the first case, installation will be difficult, but it will be possible to achieve more uniform heating. Snake styling is simpler and easier to perform, but less effective.
Electrofloors in the bath
Such a system is formed on the basis of heating cables on the principle of the same water floor, but instead of pipes, wires laid on a mesh base are used. The main question is how to make the floors in the bath warm with cables so that they do not come into contactwith water. The only way out will be laying high-quality waterproofing. In principle, such a scheme is possible in a bath, since manufacturers often issue recommendations for installation in bathrooms. The advantages of such a floor include automatic temperature control and compatibility with any type of final decorative coating. The disadvantages include the need to create waterproofing and dependence on energy supply, respectively, the costs of powering the system are inevitable.
How to cover underfloor heating after installation?
Although the thermal insulation qualities of the floor in the bath are mainly influenced by the layers under the decorative coating, this part of the "pie" also contributes to the aesthetic appearance of the steam room, and to thermal conductivity. Accordingly, it is necessary to decide how to make a warm floor in the bath, so that its finish does not interfere with thermal insulation, but at the same time pleases with the appearance.
In terms of thermal conductivity and compatibility with heating systems, the best solution would be ceramic tiles, which are laid over pipes or cables on a special substrate. It is also worth considering linoleum and laminate - both options are able to withstand both temperature loads and direct contact with the aquatic environment. But you need to choose special models, since the laminate is partly a wood material and is afraid of moisture, and mechanical loads and high temperatures can be dangerous for linoleum.
Conclusion
No matter whatthe technology of warming the bath is selected, you should be guided by the requirements for safety, ease of use of the room and the durability of materials. Along with this, it is important to know how to make a warm floor in the bath, with the expectation of the possibility of further modernization of the system. The emergence of waterproof synthetic materials, the improvement of heating technologies and the introduction of automatic controllers - these and other innovations are being actively introduced into modern saunas and baths. Over time, there may be a desire to improve the existing floor heating, so it is better to foresee the possibility of implementing this idea with the least loss.
