Rating of the best heaters for a bath for 2020

You need to think about how hot the steam room will be already at the stage of building the bath. One of the main qualities of a steam room is the ability to keep warm. To do this, you need to choose the right thermal insulation material. Otherwise, there will be a great loss of energy. In the rooms where baths and saunas are equipped, heaters are used, which must meet certain conditions.

Requirements for heat insulators

When using inappropriate materials or violation of the technology of thermal insulation, much more time will be spent on heating the steam room, and the heat will be rapidly lost. Therefore, during construction, some features must be taken into account. The more the bath is heated, the greater the temperature difference between the steam room and the adjacent rooms will be. Heat dissipation will be very fast. On the path of air masses, you need to create a barrier from a good insulator with suitable characteristics. It must be moisture resistant, biostable and environmentally friendly. High humidity, as well as the presence of various fungi and bacteria that form in a humid environment can damage the insulation.

Insulation materials are divided into organic and inorganic depending on the chemical composition. The first group is now used much less frequently due to thermal destruction. In other words, it is the ability to change properties at elevated temperatures. Another limitation is that organic materials tend to ignite quickly. Some components are not recommended at all for the construction of saunas and baths. For example, expanded polystyrene is able to withstand temperatures of only 50 to 75 degrees. Glass wool has a low service life in humid rooms. Polyurethane foam and some other materials emit harmful substances when heated, and also have insufficient flammability characteristics.

Additional requirements for thermal insulation materials:

1. They should match well with the finishing materials present.
2. Prevent condensation from accumulating.
3. Have low moisture absorption.
4. Complies with fire and hygiene standards.
5. Be completely sealed.

Organic materials include peat and particle boards. They are suitable for insulating a dressing room or rest room. In a very hot room, they cannot be used even with additional treatment with a fire retardant. Inorganic materials include mineral insulation. They are considered the most economical. Stone and slag fibers are used as raw materials for their manufacture.Another group is basalt insulation. These include dolomite, slag, limestone wool. Their advantage is that they are non-flammable and also have high insulating properties. Another property is durability and good water repellency. Such cotton wool is mounted simply. Rodents do not like the material. Glass wool is similar in properties to basalt wool. It is more convenient to install. However, in terms of temperature properties, it is inferior, so it is better not to use it for a steam room.

Classification

All types of heat insulators are classified according to different parameters. Judging by external signs, there is a division into sheet, roll, bulk and block. Depending on the method of installation, there are bulk, monolithic, self-adhesive. By origin, there is a group of organic (polymer) and natural. Bulk ones include expanded clay, vermiculite, slag waste. Foam blocks are considered block materials. Insulation panels: foam, extruded polystyrene foam (organic), stone or basalt wool (inorganic). Roll heat insulators are mainly made of organic and inorganic wool. Foamed foil materials are also referred to as roll materials.

When comparing heaters, the following characteristics are taken into account:

• mass (density);
• heat and sound insulating properties;
• fire resistance (fire safety);
• moisture resistance;
• environmental friendliness (absence of harmful emissions and safety for human health);
• cost;
• durability.

The best inexpensive insulation

Thanks to good thermal insulation, you can reduce fuel costs and keep the building in excellent condition for a long time. This is especially true if the bath is used all year round.

For a long time, natural ingredients have been used to insulate the bath - moss, bast, tow. Humanity simply had no other choice. Now we use environmentally friendly and durable artificial insulation, easy to install.

Expanded clay

Expanded clay has always been the cheapest material for insulation. It is used to this day. But its scope is limited. Expanded clay embankment can be used when installing floors and attic floors. The porous structure is sufficiently moisture resistant, resistant to the development of microorganisms. Expanded clay is not favored by rodents. Durability and environmental friendliness are a separate topic of conversation. Even if the granules are damaged, the mass does not lose its thermal insulation properties. However, there are some inconveniences during installation. For example, expanded clay cannot be scattered in an even layer without adding concrete. It is quite time consuming to carry heavy bags of granules to the attic.

Expanded clay of different fractions is on sale: small (from 5 to 10 mm), medium (size from 10 to 20 mm) and large (from 20 to 40 mm). Wholesale firms sell products in 50 liter bags.

• cheap;
• non-toxic and environmentally friendly;
• has excellent thermal insulation properties;
• does not react with acids and other chemicals;
• durable;
• resistant to moisture and frost;
• does not lend itself to rodents.

• there are difficulties in installation;
• the scope is limited.

Styrofoam

Traditionally, foam was used in the construction of houses, baths and garages. However, there is one unpleasant feature of this material. When heated, the foam releases phenol-containing compounds. Also, the material is very flammable, this property gives rise to thought when choosing a material for warming a bath. But he entered this rating for ease of installation and moisture resistance. It is good to use it for dressing rooms, recreation rooms, for outdoor decoration. The decisive factor in favor of this material when building a bath is its affordable price. The technology is quite simple: the material is easy to cut, it is lightweight, and the tile joints foaming quickly.

Polyfoam (in other words, expanded polystyrene) is produced by foaming from polymeric materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene or polyurethane. The material contains only 2% polymers and 98% air. This explains its lightness. Release form - sheets of 1000x1000x50 mm and 1000x2000x50 mm in size.

Polyfoam can undergo deformation and destruction upon contact with paints and varnishes. It is very fond of rodents, therefore it is recommended to apply a coating to repel animals before use. Foam plates practically do not allow air to pass through, this property makes it necessary to create reliable ventilation.

• cheapness;
• ease of installation;
• light weight;
• resistance to humid environment.

• flammability;
• limited scope.

Mezhventsovy heaters

There is a special group of natural materials: flax, moss, hemp. These are the so-called mezhventsovy heaters. In addition to them, materials produced in the form of rolls are used. They are based on natural ingredients (tow and linen jute). Insulation materials are impregnated with a special composition that birds do not like. This makes the material less vulnerable. But there is a small drawback - low thermal conductivity. For a bath with such insulation, additional capital insulation is required outside.

• environmental friendliness;
• low price;
• good vapor permeability.

• cannot be used in stone and concrete buildings;
• fast flammability;
• additional costs for external insulation are needed.

Heaters of the middle price category

Manufacturers of building materials do not stand still. There are many new mid-priced products on the market that make life easier for builders. Feedback from experienced users allowed us to make a rating of the most common heaters.

Minvata

Yesterday, among thermal insulation materials, mineral wool occupied a leading position in the construction market. Due to its affordable price, it continues to be in demand among the population. The insulation has good fire resistance and resistance to damage. Excellent sound insulation properties are also noted. However, it does not tolerate dampness. When wet, some of the beneficial properties are lost. To avoid this phenomenon, builders are forced to resort to additional measures, namely, to perform steam and waterproofing. Such actions increase the life of the mineral wool. Do not forget about the additional protection of the respiratory and vision organs during installation, since mineral wool is harmful to human health.

• acceptable price;
• fire resistance;
• ease of installation.

• low resistance to moisture;
• harms the respiratory and vision organs during installation.

Foil insulation

The currently available foil insulation is widely used. Thanks to the thinnest layer of aluminum deposited on the surface, the insulator has good reflective and noise insulation properties. Known brands of different companies (penofol, ultraflex and others). The material is used for thermal insulation of the ceiling surface in the steam room and for finishing the chimney. It retains heat well, reflects light, and creates a fire-resistant layer. In addition, the insulation is a good sound insulator. Small thickness saves indoor space. There is one caveat - the material is subject to corrosion on the foil layer. To avoid such an unpleasant phenomenon, the metal surface is additionally treated with an anti-corrosion compound. Finishers who work with foil insulation generally speak well of the material. Builders loved it for its ease of installation and low weight. The material is hygienic and environmentally friendly.

Heat loss can be reduced by using ready-made insulation systems. They are made specifically for rooms with temperature extremes and high humidity, namely for saunas and baths.LOGICPIR thermal insulation boards are foil laminated boards. They are installed without an additional vapor barrier. Foil is a heat reflector, due to which heat flows are directed into the room, 95% of the energy remains in the room, the bath heats up quickly. It is recommended to glue the joints of the boards with self-adhesive LOGICPIR aluminum tape.

• light weight;
• small thickness;
• good environmental properties;
• fire resistance;
• efficiency.

• susceptibility to corrosion, which requires additional varnish coating.

Heaters of a high price category

The purchase of insulation for a bath is a very important event. Sometimes it is better not to spare money and opt for better quality materials that will last more than a dozen years. This is the opinion of experienced builders.

Basalt insulation

Basalt insulation is the leader among finishing materials in the construction of saunas and baths. The main advantages of experts include its safety and environmental component. A heat insulator made from natural components has such good qualities as fire resistance and moisture resistance. The absence of the release of harmful compounds is one of the main properties, since the most valuable thing in a person is health. Therefore, when choosing a material, many pay great attention to how environmentally friendly it is. Basalt slabs are not favored by rodents. Experts note that thermal insulation is able to withstand large temperature drops. Slabs are not afraid of high humidity. The service life of basalt insulation can be more than thirty years. During this time, the material does not lose its heat and sound insulation capabilities. The downside is the high cost. But when it comes to quality, you can close your eyes to this disadvantage. Finishing specialists note the ease of installation and versatility of basalt. However, it is heavy.

To insulate the bath frame, ROCKLIGHT stone wool slabs are used. An alternative option is technolight mineral wool slabs.

• long service life;
• fire resistance;
• excellent thermal insulation properties;
• environmental friendliness and absence of harmful emissions;
• the ability to withstand large temperature differences;
• versatility.

• high price;
• large mass.

Foam glass

Builders have high hopes for a modern thermal insulation material called foam glass. He is confidently gaining leading positions in the construction market. Sales volumes are growing every year. So far, only its price is a limiting factor. According to its characteristics, it is in no way inferior to its previous brother. The material is highly resistant to temperature extremes, effectively protects against noise, and is resistant to moisture, organic solvents and acids. The heat insulator is not liked by insects and rodents. Perhaps you cannot find a more suitable element for warming a bath. This is evidenced by numerous positive reviews from users who have already encountered foam glass.

• durability;
• excellent heat and sound insulation properties;
• environmental friendliness;
• resistance to moisture and temperature extremes.

• high price.

Conclusion

Connoisseurs of a real Russian bath or Finnish sauna are well aware of the nuances that exist when arranging a bath to create a cozy atmosphere. Everyone wants to facilitate the construction process and shorten the time. And when you rely only on your own strength, it is very important to choose exactly the material that suits both the price and quality. The main thing in the implementation of the project is the creation of a thermos effect in the steam room. It is possible that this selection will help you create your dream bathhouse.