Interior decoration of a wooden bath. Finishing the bath: choosing the best materials for the steam room, washing room and changing room. Bathroom and washroom

What could be better than a sauna or bathhouse in the country? If you want to start arranging it yourself, you need to follow the order of actions and perform them correctly. High-quality work at every stage is the key to successful use of the bathhouse.

Interior finishing tasks

Interior finishing of a bathhouse can be quite expensive if you order this service from a specialized office. And given the fact that the finishing materials themselves are expensive, the entire event can cost a lot of money.

But you can save money if you decorate the bathhouse yourself. In this case, you need to understand work technology and choose the right finishing material.

It is also important to understand the tasks of the interior decoration of a bathhouse:

• waterproofing;
• insulation;
• extending its service life;
• protection of vacationers from accidental burns from heated wall surfaces.

The finishing also has a decorative function. After all, the aesthetics of a bath or sauna depends on the internal arrangement.

Selection of finishing material

Decorating the inside of a bathhouse with your own hands is done mainly using wood. At the same time, it is recommended to use different types of wood species for different rooms.

To decorate the steam room, it is best to choose linden. Lining with linden will guarantee that you will not accidentally get burned during your stay in the bathhouse. since this material does not have the property of overheating so much.

Other durable, quality cladding options include:

• birch;
• aspen;
• poplar.

The cheapest wood for cladding is pine, but it is better not to use it for a steam room, since it contains resins. When exposed to high temperatures, they are released and appear on the surface of the skin.

All species for cladding have the ability to dry quickly and perfectly; different types of wood have their own beneficial properties for the human body. For example, thanks to linden, a person receives positive energy, and aspen relieves negative emotions and protects against diseases.

The interior decoration of a sauna or bathhouse cannot be done with wood boards or linoleum, especially in the washing area or steam room. Such materials have a negative impact on health.

When heated, slabs made of mineral wool, fiberboard or chipboard are toxic and fire hazard; when they absorb moisture, they swell greatly. When heated, linoleum releases harmful components, rots quickly and is not suitable for high humidity.

Prohibitions on the use of such materials apply only to steam rooms and adjacent rooms with high humidity; this does not apply to rest rooms. Since the humidity in them is low and the temperature is optimal, this will not cause the release of poisons.

Coatings for floors and ceilings

When arranging the inside of a bathhouse, you need to choose the right floor and ceiling coverings. For the floor, planks or ceramic corrugated tiles are better suited. It is recommended to take glazed tiles, as they best withstand temperature changes. Its base should be smooth so that fungi do not form in the cavities.

The best wood material for finishing bath flooring is larch. This material is expensive, but it does not rot, is highly strong and durable. According to its characteristics, it can even be compared with ceramic tiles.

The floor should be finished only after insulation. Even if it is made of concrete, during construction, lay a layer of thermal insulation between the concrete walls in the form of expanded clay or crushed stone.

As for finishing the ceiling, here too it is best to use wood that contains a minimum of resins in its composition. The maximum temperature in the steam room is concentrated under the ceiling, so you cannot take spruce or pine, since the resin released when overheated will drip and can cause burns.

Features of finishing the bath

The interior decoration of the bathhouse is carried out differently depending on the room in which it is done. For the steam room, washing room and waiting room, the cladding requirements will differ from each other.

Work in the steam room

The key room of the bathhouse is the steam room. It is this that lends itself to the most intense heating, so it is very important to choose the right material for the cladding; it must be of high quality, not contain a large amount of resin, and dry quickly.

Where to start finishing the inside of a bathhouse? The steps will look like this:

A vapor barrier is needed so that heat and steam can be retained in the steam room, and the temperature does not drop very quickly. For insulation and vapor barrier, materials such as:

• foil;
• glassine;
• jute;
• combined insulation.

Often the walls of the steam room are insulated with foiled polypropylene foam or foil penofol. During installation, the foil layer must not be allowed to adjoin the imitation timber or lining, which acts as the final finish. Therefore, first you need to put lumber sheathing on the walls, then a layer of insulation, and only then the lining is installed.

The lathing yourself must be done extremely carefully and be sure to focus on the building level. Keep the pitch between the battens of the sheathing about 500 mm. When the frame is ready, it should be treated with an antiseptic.

The covering material also needs to be treated with an antiseptic. It is recommended to do this before installing it on the sheathing.

An indispensable element of a steam room in a bathhouse are benches, loungers and shelves. They must be durable. It is best to give them a rounded shape, the main thing is that they do not creak or wobble.

Study the material for them carefully. The wood should not have knots; it is best to choose a soft, low-density material that does not heat up too much. The most budget option is aspen; linden will cost more.

You can place several benches in the bathhouse on the wall where there are no windows. The shelves should have different sizes, the lowest shelf should be the smallest - about 30 cm, the middle one should be 60 cm in size, and the top bench should be the widest, about about a meter.

Finishing of other premises

The requirements for finishing other rooms in the bathhouse will not be as serious as for the steam room. So, the washing room has high humidity, but the temperature in it is not as high as in a steam room.

The washing room is finished using tiles or wood. Moreover, tile is the most practical option, and wood will ensure that even after bath procedures you will be in a relaxing atmosphere.

The flooring in the washing room should be laid with a slight slope and equipped with a special drain for water drainage.

The most affordable option is coniferous wood, the most expensive is mosaic, tile or deciduous wood.

But finishing bath rooms such as a relaxation room or dressing room with wood does not require such careful selection of materials for the work. In this case, the ceiling or walls can be successfully sheathed with spruce or pine; even the use of wood boards or linoleum is allowed.

Even if all the work on the interior decoration of the bathhouse seems very large-scale, it is quite possible to do it yourself, if only you know all the subtleties. Be sure to follow the installation technology and follow the recommendations.

In order for your bathhouse to have an attractive appearance, and for your visit to it to bring you comfort and pleasure, you need to properly line it using suitable materials. When the finishing work is ready, furnish the bathhouse with furniture and you can begin its test drive.

After the construction of the bathhouse is completed, you should think about the interior decoration. This is perhaps the most important work, since it includes heat, hydro and vapor barrier, which will ensure the proper functioning of the building. It is the interior decoration that determines how cozy your bathhouse will be and how pleasantly you will spend time in it.

It is very important to consider step by step each element of the work on the internal arrangement of the bathhouse in general and the steam room in particular. Any mistake at this stage may result in inconveniences in the future that will be very difficult to correct.

Requirements for insulation of a bath room

The most important quality of a steam room is the preservation of hot steam and heat inside the room for a long time. That is why thermal insulation comes first in finishing. There are many methods for such work, but we will consider the simplest and most common ones, which are easy to do with your own hands, without the help of specialists.

When choosing materials for insulation, you should be guided by their safety at the usual high temperatures for a steam room, that is, fire resistance and resistance to sudden temperature changes. The most common materials are mineral wool as insulation and aluminum foil as a vapor barrier. They are highly reliable and easy to use.

Before you begin work on insulating the walls of the bathhouse, you should carefully prepare the surfaces. Carefully examine the walls and ceiling, remove gaps, knots, and roughness. All wooden surfaces are treated with an antiseptic, which will provide protection against fungus and mold.

By insulating and equipping a bathhouse, you will get walls in the form of a so-called “sandwich”, consisting of layers alternating in a certain sequence: a waterproofing layer, an insulating layer, a vapor barrier, and, finally, an internal lining.

Preliminary preparation

As you know, the main thing in a Russian bath is a properly installed stove. It must be built before you begin interior decoration. And in this case, it is better to seek the help of a professional stove maker, who will determine where the hearth should be, set the correct direction of the outlets and build the body.

Installing a traditional brick or stone stove will require special attention to such features as the soil on which the bathhouse is built, the materials used in the construction of the walls, the type of roof, and even the climatic conditions of the area. To make your task much easier, you can turn to modern technologies. In construction markets and in specialized stores there is a huge selection of boilers and stoves, which in their functionality are in no way inferior to a classic stone sauna stove, but compared to it, they are completely safe, and also economical and easy to use.

Such a heating device will not require any special skills from you; you can install it yourself, or with the help of a specialist, quite quickly and without subsequent removal of accumulated construction waste. Manufacturers provide customers with a complete set of necessary equipment and additional devices.

After the stove is installed, install the electrical wiring, provide its insulation and the necessary terminals, and then proceed directly to the interior decoration.

More about skin layers

Insulation of the walls of a bathhouse, and especially a steam room, should begin with a layer that provides waterproofing. It will help avoid condensation on external walls when in contact with hot air and constant temperature changes. Particular attention should be paid to any possibility of dampness affecting the walls: the occurrence of mold and mildew not only has a detrimental effect on wooden surfaces, including rotting, but can also have a harmful effect on your health.

The materials most commonly used as a waterproofing material are foil or polyethylene film. You should pull evenly measured parts of the material from the roll, leaving allowances of about 10-15 cm, carefully stretch the film or sheet of foil to avoid tears and damage, and secure them using a construction stapler. At the junction of individual sheets there should be an overlap of 10-15 cm, which will not allow moisture from the outside to enter the gap and settle on the insulation layer.

After the waterproofing of the walls, floor and ceiling is completed and all possible gaps have been sealed, proceed to install the insulating layer. To begin with, sheets of clean, thoroughly dried paper are attached to the surface. To minimize the loss of hot air, the sheets should be fastened with a sufficiently large overlap.

After this, a pre-fabricated frame is installed on the insulated surface. For it you will need wooden blocks with a cross section of 50 X 50 mm, properly impregnated with an antiseptic. The width of the step between the beams must exactly match the width of the roll of material that is used.

A few words about the choice of thermal insulation material. In the modern construction and repair market you can find a lot of options of different properties, quality and price category. But still the most common and in demand is mineral wool. Synthetic soft slabs are also gaining popularity. These inorganic materials are durable, fire-resistant, are not subject to moisture absorption and subsequent rotting, and are also not of interest to small rodents and insects.

We install a heat and vapor barrier layer

The thickness of the layer of heat-insulating material directly depends on the design of the insulated surface. It should be noted that the floor of the bathhouse, both wooden and concrete, is insulated using a certain technology, and this work is labor-intensive enough to devote a separate article to it. Now we are considering the insulation of the walls and ceiling of a traditional wooden bathhouse.

The ceiling is subject to much more thorough insulation than the walls, so the layer of mineral wool on it should be twice as thick.

This is due to the fact that the hot air in the steam room rises, and it is through the ceiling that maximum heat loss occurs.

So, the frame previously made from beams is installed on the surface and carefully secured with screws or bushings. An even piece of insulating material is placed in the space between the beams. It should lie tightly, without free spaces or overlaps. The edges of the material are secured using a construction stapler.

So, to install the vapor barrier layer you will need:

• Aluminum foil in the required quantity;
• Thin slats for sheathing;
• Small wallpaper nails or a construction stapler;
• Scotch tape or adhesive tape.

For vapor barrier, it is preferable to take foil with a thickness of 65 microns. This is a material that is optimal in density and strength and is easy to work with.

First of all, you should prepare the sheathing. Since the room of the bathhouse and steam room is small, it will be easy to make the lathing by stuffing slats to the frame of the heat-insulating layer.

After this, sheets of foil are secured to the sheathing using wallpaper nails or a stapler. At the same time, they should be well, but not too tightly, and carefully aligned. The overlap of the sheets on each other should not be more than 5 cm. Since the vapor barrier layer must be continuous, the sheets are connected with tape at all joints.

The main condition for the materials used: they must be environmentally friendly, and when exposed to heat and moisture they must not emit foreign odors of a chemical nature.

This is why such common building materials as roofing felt, roofing felt or glassine are not used in the interior decoration of bathhouses.

Steam room interior lining

• After the “sandwich” of hydro-, heat- and vapor barrier is ready, we will proceed to the final stage - cladding the walls and ceiling in the room using lining. Traditionally, natural wood is chosen for cladding, mainly hardwood, such as linden, maple, aspen and alder. These materials are optimal in quality, properties, and besides, their price is low. Softwood boards can release resin when exposed to heat, which is unpleasant for the skin. If, after all, the pine aroma in a bathhouse is very important to you, then choose cedar. It has high density and low resinity.
• The high density of wood will provide resistance to high humidity and protection from rotting;
• The lowest content or complete absence of resins;
• The surface of the board must be absolutely smooth, without gaps or knots;

On the installed vapor barrier layer, install a frame made of bars, which will hold the lining on itself. After this, hammer the boards one by one, carefully adjusting them using a wooden hammer. For fastening, you can use nails or self-tapping screws, the main condition is that the caps must be buried in the surface, so that later lovers of bath procedures do not get hurt in the process.

Typically, the location of the lining during cladding is horizontal or vertical. The vertical method is simpler and can be used in any direction. When using the horizontal method, the lining should be filled from the bottom up to prevent water from getting into the joints and grooves.

Most often, the lining is fastened flush. To do this, grooves are cut on each board and overlap each other. This will provide a tighter fit, which means protection from moisture and temperature changes for the insulation layers and the inner surface of the lining.

Video about the interior decoration of the bathhouse

After all the stages of arranging your bathhouse are completed, the final touch remains - creating a comfortable and cozy interior. This is an excellent opportunity to show your imagination, so that later your vacation will give you exceptional pleasure, and bath procedures will be not only aesthetic, but also health-improving. We wish you a light steam!

If there are specific conditions in a room, repairs to the walls in it must be carried out taking this fact into account. For example, baths are characterized by high levels of humidity and sudden temperature changes. Let's talk further about what the decoration of a bathhouse can look like inside, photos of finished interiors from the inside and just advice from experienced designers further in the selection.

To create a unique interior inside a bathhouse made of brick, aerated concrete, polystyrene foam blocks or other material, finishing materials with different operational parameters, external aesthetics and installation specifics can be used. However, we must remember that the finishing of the bathhouse inside must certainly be durable, practical, and resistant to the aggressive environment of this room. Therefore, it is not worth doing it with low-quality materials, especially in a steam room where there are high temperatures.

Pre-study the features of the most popular options today to avoid mistakes. Next, we present a photo and a brief description of modern finishing materials that should be used for these purposes.

Lining

Often, lining is used to decorate the interior of a Russian bathhouse made of blocks and aerated concrete, as well as the adjacent steam room and washing room. The wood used to produce such cladding may have different characteristics, which determines the subsequent performance parameters of the planks.

Many options are suitable for internal cladding of the walls of a bathhouse made of foam blocks, aerated concrete, timber boards, however, you should not choose lining made of coniferous wood, since such wood can release resin under the influence of hot steam.

Finishing a bathhouse with clapboard has a number of advantages, which is appreciated by experienced builders and ordinary buyers:

• environmental cleanliness and safety, absence of toxic components and radioactive particles in the material;
• the lining allows the aerated concrete base to “breathe”, regulating the level of humidity inside the dressing room, steam room, and wash room. This helps prevent the risk of condensation, mold, and mildew;
• Installation of the material on a wooden sheathing is carried out quickly, without any difficulties. The planks are inserted into one another using a tongue-and-groove mechanism, so repairs with such material are carried out quickly and without problems;
• the affordable price makes the lining stand out from alternative options. Almost every one of our compatriots will be able to afford such repairs at a cost, because its implementation will not require huge financial investments.

The finishing of a bathhouse with clapboard is shown in the following photo: this is a practical, inexpensive and attractive interior option that you can implement with your own hands.

The main advice that experienced builders give to beginners in such matters is to abandon the “rabbet” and “quarter” options. Preference should be given exclusively to lining with tongue and groove profiles, because it does not move during operation, violating the tightness and density of the joints.

The block house has excellent characteristics, which is very important for a bathhouse made of aerated concrete. This is a decent thickness, which contributes to additional insulation of the walls of the building, environmental friendliness, naturalness, high resistance to fungus and mold when treated with an antiseptic.

Do-it-yourself block house finishing has an incredibly attractive aesthetic, as evidenced by the following photo. But the renovation of such a room should be carried out only with certain classes of such material, since not all of the existing options are suitable.

The material is attached over a wooden sheathing, treated with an antiseptic, and in places adjacent to the heating equipment it is insulated with simple mineral wool.

Imitation of timber

External and internal finishing of a bathhouse with your own hands can be done by imitation of timber, as was done in the interior in the following photo. It seems that the walls are lined with ordinary boards, but imitation timber is much more practical to use.

This easy-to-use material is characterized by low cost, environmental friendliness, and high aesthetic qualities. It very accurately replicates the appearance of natural timber, ensures the maintenance of an optimal microclimate in the room, and acts as additional sound and heat insulation for the walls of the bathhouse.

Before installing the dressing room in the interior, it must be removed from the packaging and left for several days in the room where it will be installed. Then the walls for cladding are cleaned of dust, primed, covered with lathing and imitation timber itself. We also note that repairs with such material make it possible to insulate and waterproof walls indoors. To increase the resistance of the bathhouse to aggressive environments, its finishing should be varnished.

Tile

The interior decoration of a bathhouse with your own hands using tiles is presented to the reader in the following photo. This is a highly practical option, characterized by a long service life, absolute resistance to high humidity, and easy maintenance.

The main thing is to choose the right type of tile from a large number of alternatives that is most relevant for the conditions of the steam room. Experts recommend choosing the glazed version, which demonstrates high resistance to sudden temperature changes. But non-enamelled tiles do not tolerate such conditions well and quickly lose their original appearance. It is worth making sure that the tiles for the floor and walls of the washroom have a rough surface so that the room is as safe as possible.

It is worth refusing in a steam room made of foam blocks from tiles with a porous structure that can absorb moisture. But the shape of such material can be classic (square, rectangle) or non-standard (hexagon, rhombus).

Bamboo or wicker weaving

Weaving made of bamboo or wicker is often used for the dressing room. This original cladding for the walls of the bathhouse from the inside is shown in the interior in the following photo. In addition to the unusual aesthetics of this design, experts note its durability and resistance to wear. Although such a design will not be cheap, it can surprise and lift your spirits. But it is better not to use it in a steam room made of aerated concrete.

Options for finishing the bath inside

The bathhouse is a complex structure consisting of several rooms with different conditions and specifics:

• the dressing room is intended for undressing, so it should be warm and comfortable;
• The steam room is used for rest, relaxation, and enjoying the steam. All materials used here must be environmentally friendly and safe;
• The washing machine must be practical, resistant to water and moisture.

Let's determine which materials are most relevant in the described bathhouse premises.

Waiting room

Selecting a material for the design of a dressing room is not so easy, because it is exposed to prolonged exposure to high levels of humidity, but at the same time it must be warm. For example, tiles are completely unsuitable for a dressing room due to the feeling of coolness. But wood heats up quickly and retains heat for a long time, which is important for a dressing room. In addition, it is attractive in appearance, environmentally friendly, and has a natural scent that has a calming effect on humans. You can also repair the dressing room using lining, imitation timber or bamboo weaving. These options have natural aesthetics and are practical to use. Look at the photo below, which shows an interior with this finish.

Also, the walls of the dressing room must be insulated with special materials so that it is as warm as possible.

Steam room

Successful decoration of the relaxation room in the bathhouse as it was done in the interior in the photo. Experts note that the interior of the dressing room can be decorated in any design style. But the steam room room is difficult, since it is often small in size. The steam room should be decorated stylishly, inexpensively, simply, and allocate enough space for the free circulation of hot steam.

The most relevant materials for the walls, floor, and ceiling of the steam room are natural wood and lining. Such materials are environmentally friendly, attractive in appearance, and allow for thermal insulation of the base. Opt for linden, which does not overheat and retains its original aesthetics for a long time. The combination of wood and brick in a single steam room space looks stylish, but at the same time simple.

In no case should you use coniferous wood due to the presence of resin in their composition, which releases gluten under the influence of high temperatures in the steam room. Also, you should not repair the steam room with wood boards, linoleum, fiberboard, chipboard. These materials are capable of releasing toxic components into the air, are susceptible to rotting and swelling when exposed to moisture, and are a fire hazard. The interior of the steam room should be supplemented with strong furniture: shelves, sun loungers, round-shaped benches. The ceiling surface is decorated with spot light.

The finishing of the stove in the bathhouse must certainly be done with materials resistant to high temperatures. The best option is considered to be natural stone or its analogue on an artificial basis. The simple use of brick is no less important, but it has a less attractive appearance. To give the material high aesthetics, it can be faced with decorative bricks.

Washing

Washing room decor can be done in different ways. For example, it can be combined with a steam room and completely decorated with wood, because mold dies under the influence of high temperatures. This option is shown in the photo below.

Also, repairs to the washing room may involve separating the washing room, but then it needs to ensure optimal air circulation. Then coniferous wood species that can withstand significant levels of humidity will be relevant for the washing room. But synthetic options should be abandoned in the washroom due to their toxicity.

In order to ensure easy cleaning, it is better to decorate the walls with durable, practical, wear-resistant tiles. It is no less relevant for finishing washroom floors, but rough, non-slip options should be preferred. The tile looks very beautiful, expensive, but at the same time simple. Note that tiles combine well with many other types of finishes. The photo below shows the interior of the washroom, where tiles and wooden slats are successfully combined. The main thing is to ensure that the slats in the washroom have a tight fit. Furniture in the washing room made of aerated concrete should have benches and deck chairs.

Insulation and waterproofing

If you start the construction and interior design of a bathhouse with the selection of high-quality materials, the finishing of the bathhouse outside and inside will be as attractive as possible, durable, wear-resistant and practical. But in addition, experts recommend insulating and waterproofing the walls of such buildings from the inside. This will make the bathhouse warmer, because high-quality thermal insulation and waterproofing can prevent the rapid penetration of hot air and steam through the walls to the outside.

The specifics of the work are determined by the type of building material from which the building is constructed. The brick walls have no cracks, but an uninsulated brick bathhouse takes a long time to heat up. Therefore, a brick building is insulated, waterproofed and covered with finishing. The optimal insulation for brick is mineral wool with high strength, thermal insulation characteristics, and resistance to high temperatures. And as waterproofing, isospan is used for bricks, which provides mineral wool with reliable protection from moisture. When insulating a brick bath, experts recommend drilling metal brackets into the walls in increments equal to the width of the insulation. Mineral wool is laid between them, and the joints are insulated with construction tape. Isospan is stretched over the mineral wool, and brick wall finishing is installed on top of it.

Wall insulation scheme in a bathhouse

Expanded polystyrene blocks have a porous surface; the material can absorb moisture, so a structure made from such blocks must be insulated and protected from moisture. The insulation of a bathhouse made from such blocks is carried out with mineral wool, and both the block walls and the insulation are subject to waterproofing. Isopan or membrane film or isospan are used as waterproofing. We also note that for a bathhouse made of blocks, it is necessary to organize a ventilation gap between the insulation and the finishing lining to prevent the material from rotting and the formation of condensation. A wooden sheathing is mounted on the walls made of blocks, a layer of membrane film, mineral wool, a layer of isospan are placed on it, and on top there is a decorative lining of the bathhouse made of blocks.

Insulation of bath walls from the inside

The insulation and waterproofing of aerated concrete buildings are similar in their specificity to foam block baths, because aerated concrete walls are porous and therefore capable of absorbing moisture. Therefore, aerated concrete masonry is treated with an antiseptic, covered with lathing, insulation (mineral wool) and waterproofing material (isospan), and only then - with decorative cladding.

The quality of interior decoration in a bathhouse consists not only of an attractive design and a pleasant aroma, but also of the practicality of the structure itself. In a Russian bath, the temperature of the humid air sometimes reaches +120 degrees, so the correct lining of the steam room can not only protect the walls from the aggressive effects of steam, but also protect a person from burns and allergic reactions.

Peculiarities

Many home craftsmen are confident that all work on finishing the inside of a steam room comes down solely to the stylish design of the walls, floor and ceiling. This is a common misconception; in practice, the organization of many other processes is required: hydro- and vapor barriers, insulation of floors, installation of utilities, treatment of coatings with antiseptics, fungicides, antiprenes and much more.

The temperature in a traditional Russian bath, as a rule, ranges from +80 to +120 degrees, and the humidity level is over 30%. Such operating conditions are considered extreme for any finishing materials. That is why, in the interior design of such premises, only the strongest and most environmentally friendly materials are used, which do not emit toxic substances and do not emit any unpleasant odors.

For finishing, only such raw materials are suitable that heat up to a maximum of +50-60 degrees; only ceramics and wood meet this requirement. The area near the firebox, as well as the stove itself, as well as places that may come into contact with human skin, are lined only with natural materials with a low level of resin. Therefore, coniferous wood varieties are suitable only for finishing auxiliary rooms. Otherwise, there is a high probability of burns and the development of a spasm of the respiratory tract, which leads to a sharp deterioration in well-being.

Wood must be treated with fungicides, as well as solutions that increase its hygroscopicity - this is necessary to protect the coating from the destructive effects of moisture and prevent the appearance of mold and mildew.

Materials

Many people wonder what material is best to decorate the interior of the bathhouse with. The most widely used lining is small panels used for cladding vertical surfaces. It is made from wood of different species. The main advantages of lining are as follows:

• prevents the formation of condensation;
• is a “breathable” material that does not interfere with air circulation;
• has an aesthetic decorative appearance;
• easy to install;
• has a relatively low price.

For finishing the interior of the bathhouse, finishing with unedged boards is allowed.

• African oak (abachi). It is lightweight, but at the same time strong and highly durable, lightweight, does not emit resin and contains virtually no knots. Abacha finishing materials do not burn the skin. However, this is a very expensive material, so not everyone can afford such cladding.
• Cedar. Ussuri and Altai species are most often used in decoration. They are resistant to high temperatures and excess humidity, and also provide an environment in which fungi do not multiply and mold does not appear. At the same time, the wood has an aesthetic appearance and exudes a pleasant aroma.

Cedar is widely used in medicine, where it is famous for its healing properties due to its calming and anti-inflammatory effects on the human body.

• Linden. Baths are often lined with linden slab. Its advantages include high strength and strength with relatively light weight. The tree of this variety tolerates temperature fluctuations and frequent exposure to moisture well, has an interesting texture and emits a healing aroma that has a healing effect on people suffering from diseases of the respiratory system.
• Alder. This is the optimal material for the interior decoration of a bathhouse; it is pleasant to the skin, and in addition, when heated, it changes color slightly, and after cooling, it returns to its original color. This interesting effect creates additional aesthetic pleasure and increases comfort when taking bath procedures. From a practical point of view, it is worth noting that alder does not emit resin and contains very few knots.

• Larch. This tree is a pine tree and is distinguished by its strength and pleasant texture. When heated, it releases a pleasant aroma, as well as phytoncides that are beneficial to health and the microclimate. Larch can serve for quite a long time.

• Aspen. This material has a low cost, so it is one of the most budget options. The advantages include zero resinity and ease of processing, however, this coating is prone to a variety of fungal diseases.
• Birch. It has a uniform, strong structure and attractive appearance, but at elevated temperatures it can become slightly deformed. To prevent this from happening, when purchasing, you should give preference to thoroughly dried materials.
• Ash. This is a very beautiful type of wood with which you can achieve a stylish decorative effect.

Very good species for finishing baths are meranti, cedrella and ofram - these are expensive types of wood. Their main difference is that even when exposed to high temperatures, they maintain a temperature equal to that of the human body. Therefore they are very convenient to use. However, their cost is quite high.

Not all wood is good for interior cladding of bathhouses. For example, pine and spruce can only be used to decorate the shower room and recreation area. Using them in a steam room is not allowed, since the material releases resins at elevated temperatures, which can burn the skin upon contact.

Wood is used to cover not only the walls, but also the floors. However, to finish the latter, you can also use ceramic tiles, and the place where the firebox is installed is lined with brick. Perlite is used directly under the floor covering - this is sand with good thermal insulation properties. This material is very light, so it is optimal for use in enclosed spaces where there is no wind, otherwise it will blow up.

The materials used for lining the steam room should not contain any knots, protruding metal parts should not be installed - all handles and holders are made only of wood. Even the shelves are made without the use of nails, since any metal object becomes very hot at high temperatures and can cause burns. Some consumers decorate their baths with clay, brickwork, salt tiles, bast and stone.

Special attention should be paid to materials that cannot be used in finishing the bath, especially around the stove. Fiberboard and chipboard are flammable products that also absorb moisture well. The only place where their use is permissible is the locker room.

Regardless of the material used, they cannot be coated with varnishes and enamels, as well as stains and other organic compounds. When exposed to high temperatures, they begin to release harmful substances that can lead to general intoxication of the body.

Step-by-step finishing instructions

The interior decoration of the sauna includes several technological processes, each of which helps protect the structure from the aggressive effects of hot steam and creates a favorable microclimate in the sauna. Moreover, absolutely all work can be done with your own hands without the involvement of specialists.

First, the premises need to be insulated and a vapor barrier installed. For this, basalt wool, which has good thermal insulation, and foil, which prevents the accumulation of condensation, are widely used. The sequence of actions and stages of work are standard.

Ceiling insulation

You can start work by finishing the ceiling. At the first stage of the internal arrangement of the bathhouse, its thermal insulation is carried out. To do this, a foil film is fixed onto it with the reflective side down, while the coating is overlapped, and the joints are insulated with aluminum tape. The sheathing is mounted from wooden blocks, which are secured with screws. It serves as a frame for the finishing cladding of the steam room.

By the way, do not forget to protect the ceilings from the attic. Before adding a layer of insulation there, you should take care of laying a plastic film that will not let dust and debris inside the bathhouse.

Thermal insulation of walls

The principle of insulating walls in a bathhouse is the same as for the ceiling. The only difference is that before insulating the walls, you must carefully cover all kinds of cracks and joints, only after that you can proceed directly to installation. Thermal insulation material is mounted from bottom to top, perpendicular to the floor in three layers.

The first layer is waterproofing, which is applied to prevent condensation from settling on the walls. The second is the insulation itself, which helps maintain the required temperature conditions. Vapor barrier is needed to effectively protect the thermal insulation material from moisture.

Floor insulation

The most practical and durable floor is considered to be one made of concrete. However, such a coating is quite cold, which leads to discomfort in the steam room. That is why most consumers prefer wood for finishing the floor in a bathhouse. To begin with, a foundation is laid on which beams and logs are laid. The voids formed between them are filled with insulation; as a rule, a layer of sand or expanded clay is applied for this purpose. Some are insulated with sawdust, but this material will not last long in conditions of high humidity.

Then, traditionally, a vapor barrier and the “first floor” are applied, insulation, a layer of waterproofing and only then the base “finishing” floor are laid on top. The first floor is a coating made of concrete and crushed stone, it is applied in a layer of 10–15 cm. To ensure effective waterproofing, roofing felt is used, and mineral wool or expanded clay should be preferred as insulation. The finishing floor is made of lining so that it lasts for a long time; it is treated with special antiseptic solutions.

The guide to finishing the bath has its own nuances. As already mentioned, lining is considered the best option for cladding steam rooms and washing rooms; it looks stylish and aesthetically pleasing in any interior. You can make it yourself, however, the modern market offers a wide selection of products from any wood, so everyone can choose a ready-made coating to suit their taste and budget. The main advantage of the lining is its ease of installation. To fix it on the wall, it is enough to use simple nails without heads or clamps.

The floor, ceiling and walls are finished in the same style. If the walls are lined with clapboard, then it is better to mount the ceiling from the same material. It is fastened with a small gap, which avoids deformation in case of swelling of the coating.

Such a gap protects against the need to rework the entire coverage area. It allows the lining to move if the situation requires it.

As for the floor, it can be made of wood or ceramic tiles. Wood floors can be leaky or non-leaky. In the first case, the boards are mounted on logs with a gap, which is usually 5–20 mm. The boards of the non-leaking coating are laid tightly to each other, so tongue and groove material should be used for them.

If you choose clay tiles, keep in mind that stepping on such a surface after the steam room is not very comfortable. In addition, you can easily slip on it. That is why experts recommend laying wooden flooring on top of the tiles, made in the form of a narrow sheathing, or using cork. The tiles are laid on a pre-leveled surface using a special glue, and all seams are treated with sealant or grout of a suitable color.

Separately, I would like to draw attention to the processing of lining and other materials that are used for interior decoration of bathhouses. To ensure that the cladding lasts for many years, does not lose its aesthetic appearance, does not crack or become covered with fungus, it is treated with special antiseptic compounds. The tree has a loose structure in which microbes like to “settle in.” If you neglect treatment, then most likely fungi and mold will simply colonize all the wood and destroy it.

There are certain requirements for impregnations: they must protect the raw material, however, they must not interfere with its “breathing”. In addition, the material must be made from environmentally friendly components that do not emit toxic substances at elevated temperatures. In addition, the impregnations that cover the shelves, benches and tables must withstand regular wet cleaning.

The shelves are additionally treated with deep absorption solutions. They are available in the form of gels, solutions and sprays.

Room design options

The design concept for the interior design of a bathhouse can embody the ideas of a wide variety of styles. The most common is Russian classical. This is an ideal option for decorating a wood-burning sauna. Its main advantage is that such decor does not require large expenses and can easily be arranged with your own hands.

The main components are wooden walls, plank floors, laconic benches and always a large wooden welcoming table. This interior is complemented by a Russian embroidered tablecloth and all sorts of little things in the Russian folk style (wooden dishes, brooms on the walls and other elements). In such a bathhouse you will always feel cozy and comfortable.

Country style is very close to Russian design. This is also a model of a “village” bathhouse, but with national motifs from other countries. Light wood-burning furniture, usually skillfully aged, dishes depicting rural landscapes and bright textiles are the main features of a country-style design that any bathhouse owner can do.

Oriental lovers can be recommended to introduce the features of a hammam into their Russian steam room. From a decorative point of view, the main feature of a Turkish bath is considered to be mosaic, which is used in this country for cladding all rooms or a room with a swimming pool, because this is where such a design would come in handy. In addition, the relaxation room can be converted into a hookah room, place a low table and scatter pillows in bright colors.

The Scandinavian style, which is fashionable these days, has also reached the bathhouses. This is not surprising, because the main feature of this trend is simplicity and natural chic. Deliberate roughness is combined with classic design, and all decorative elements are simple and functional. You can decorate a relaxation room in Scandinavian style. To do this, the surface is plastered with light shades and a couple of bright accents are created, for example, a richly colored lamp or unusual paintings on the walls.

Elements of classics can be introduced into the design of the washroom. If you build several arches, decorate the ceiling with stucco or install a multi-level floor.

Less common is the Art Nouveau style in the interior of bath rooms. It involves an abundance of curved lines, abstract images and bright colors. This is a solution for those who do not like stereotypes and are not afraid to experiment. Most often, this design is used in saunas made of foam blocks.

Steam room

The steam room is considered a fundamental element of any bath, so only the highest quality materials should be used for its decoration. At the same time, as a rule, it has small dimensions, so the internal layout must be carefully thought out so that there is enough space for everyone, as well as for all the necessary shelves and sun loungers.

Separately, it is worth paying attention to lighting. Usually small lamps are mounted in the ceiling, which will give a dim, dim light. A good visual effect is achieved if you equip semicircular ceilings and combine them with oval-shaped sun loungers and benches.

Arrangement of a bath complex requires proper attention to the most insignificant nuances. The bathhouse will turn into an ideal place to relax only after carefully studying the theoretical part and the sequence of actions. And the work done with your own hands will only enhance the positive effect of receiving bath procedures.

Peculiarities

The main feature of the Russian bath is wet steam. To create it, a certain humidity is maintained in the steam room. Humidity and steam balance is achieved by a complete lack of ventilation.

There are a huge number of options for finishing bath rooms. The choice depends on personal preferences and is limited by financial capabilities. The features of the interior decoration should traditionally be conducive to relaxation and spiritual pleasure. Therefore, the main thing in interior decoration is naturalness, convenience, and minimalism.

For example, an excellent natural decor for a steam room is a natural log house. However, the latest construction technologies require the use of more modern methods of constructing a bathhouse, so structures often require finishing materials.

Additional materials should not negatively affect the basic requirements for the bath:

• the steam room, shower, relaxation room should have a beautiful and practical design;
• in the steam room it is important to have hot but not scalding steam;
• In the shower, both convenience and safety are important.

Properly selected materials will have a positive impact on the functional features of the bathhouse. They will also affect the service life of the walls, floors, and ceilings of the premises. It is important to choose materials of the right quality in accordance with the characteristics of the bath premises.

For example, a steam room is distinguished by the constant presence of hot steam, which comes in a concentrated form and is quite dense. In addition, there are temperature changes in this room, as well as high humidity.

Many materials may not withstand such an extreme situation. However, the modern market offers a lot of interesting finishing options that best suit the conditions of the steam room.

The finishing features for the steam room should be as follows:

• have the ability to warm up and not accumulate heat;
• be moisture resistant;
• have good aesthetic characteristics;
• be resistant to fungus and mold;
• have the ability to purify the air.

The washing room involves not only washing, but also relaxation. Classic choice: wood, ceramic tiles. For washing, for example, coniferous wood is suitable. It has high water-repellent qualities. In addition, conifers have a beautiful appearance. The floor in this room should have anti-slip properties, as well as a comfortable temperature. Ceramic tiles can help achieve results.

As a reliable material for the vestibule and rest room, you can choose:

• porcelain stoneware;
• plaster;
• natural stone;
• wallpaper.

Greater aesthetics and practicality can be achieved by combining these finishes. In a bathhouse created with your own hands, it is possible to realize the most non-standard ideas. Select the optimal types of finishes and their variations.

Materials

Traditional decoration inside the bathhouse made of wood. The most suitable wooden base for finishing is lining.

These special finishing panels have the main advantages:

• good air circulation;
• zero condensate;
• beautiful appearance;
• easy installation;
• acceptable price.

The best starting materials for lining are: larch, linden, alder, ash. Hardwood walls warm up faster, while the outside temperature of the walls remains comfortable for human skin.

Unlike conifers, hardwoods do not emit resins, so they are considered harmless for finishing the walls of a steam room.

Pine lining, for example, is not at all suitable for a steam room. When heated, this base will release toxic substances and is also covered with resin, which can drip from the walls and ceiling and cause burns.

Walls

Options for the type of finishing “lining” are classy. For example, class C has a low cost and is suitable for finishing vestibule walls. Class B is equipped with contrasting inclusions, cracks, and minor damage. Every 1.5 meters of length of such a lining implies the presence of a certain number of knots. The lining is suitable for the design of a rest room in a natural style, as well as for a vestibule.

Class A lining allows for a few small cracks. However, it does not allow visible cores on the cut. There may be at least one knot per 1.5 meters of length. Class A lining is suitable for finishing the walls of some areas of the steam room.

Premium class lining has an excellent appearance, but the corresponding price. The material can be used to cover the walls of a steam room, relaxation room, or washing room. Linden croaker will serve as an excellent wall decoration. The material does not allow overheating and does not release resins. Linden panels will serve as high-quality sound insulation; they can be supplemented with unedged boards.

For vapor barrier of the steam room, basalt mineral wool and foil in the form of a film are used. Both the walls and the ceiling are sheathed with foil for waterproofing purposes. In order to insulate the stove in the steam room, it is permissible to use brick and salt for finishing.

It is permissible to use Himalayan salt in the bath. A salt bath combines the positive properties of a dry steam room and a healing chamber, providing a beneficial effect on a person.

Ceiling

Work related to finishing the ceiling begins with laying insulation in the attic. To prevent dust from entering the room, all cracks between the boards must be sealed. Brick chips and other bulk options are used as insulation material.

The ceiling of the bathhouse must withstand temperature loads. Finishing materials must resist steam flows. You should not choose materials for finishing the ceiling that emit toxic substances when heated.

Therefore, it is not recommended to use materials such as plywood or chipboard from the inside - they contain sawdust, which is a fire hazard. Do not choose polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam or polyethylene films as insulation; they are afraid of high temperatures.

The building foundations that are relevant for a bathhouse ceiling are spruce or pine beams for beams and ceilings, unedged boards or tongue and groove for the first ceiling, class A or B linden lining for the interior ceiling lining. Aluminum foil and membrane films can be used for vapor barrier, and membrane films for waterproofing. You can sheathe the steam room with linden and bast.

Linden croaker with bast is an ideal option for finishing a bathhouse ceiling in a natural style.

Floor

The optimal choice for the floor of all rooms of the bath, except for the steam room, is ceramic tiles. A block of tiles in a steam room may be present near the stove. The variety of modern collections will easily allow you to choose the right design for a relaxation room or washroom. At the same time, tiling will not only be comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, but also practical and durable.

The floor of the steam room can be made of concrete or wood. Concrete or stone floors are cold. Therefore, wood is often preferred. Wooden floors require the preparation of a foundation on which beams are laid, and logs are laid on top of them. The voids between beams and joists are filled with insulation, which is expanded clay. A vapor barrier and waterproofing are laid on top of the insulation, then the finishing floor is installed.

A concrete floor requires a foundation made of crushed stone and clay. Roofing felt and bitumen mastic serve as waterproofing. The insulation can be mineral wool or expanded clay. The finishing layer of the floor is laid on the heat-insulating surface.

Design

For example, a steam room is considered the real heart of a bathhouse, and therefore its interior should be living, breathing. Synthetic materials are not allowed, especially near the stove. All items in the steam room must be of high quality safety and natural purity.

Combinations of finishing materials such as lining and stone, brick and granite slabs, and block house will look especially designer in the steam room. In addition to beauty, the interior of the steam room must be absolutely safe. Therefore, the design of a steam room is often a compromise of choice. In a steam room, strict curves of the shelves, hidden light, and noble stone behind the stove are effective.

If a separate room for vacationers is designed in the bathhouse, then all the attention in the design is to comfort. The same naturalness comes first here. Curtains with flounces and strict blinds on the windows are appropriate in the design. This bathhouse room is usually compact, but bright.

However, there are no special design requirements. It is desirable that everything be decorated in fairly calm colors, conducive to a comfortable pastime.

A modern bathhouse requires the arrangement of a washing room. Full plumbing fixtures are allowed for installation here. Often this place is a pool of unimaginable shapes. Due to the lack of space for arranging a swimming pool, showers are installed in the washing room. Stylish modern shower stalls will not take up much space, and will fit well into the interior of the bathhouse. It is not even necessary to allocate a separate room for showers.

The internal washing area in the Russian bathhouse was also built around the stove, in the steam room. Simple basins and ladles served as washing objects. Taking into account the capabilities of modern materials, all this can be implemented in current bathhouse buildings.

The design of a bathhouse can be interconnected with personal perception of colors and their combinations. This feature depends on the physiological structure of the eyes, the state of the nerves, and life experience. Psychologists say that for women color is more important than shape, while for men content is more important. At the same time, a person has the ability to associate something with something all the time.

Bathhouse design is a purely individual choice and should be based only on your personal idea of ​​relaxation.

How to finish it yourself?

The basis of a Russian bath is a stove. The best materials for a heater are natural stones and bricks.

For floor installation, edged boards are allowed, and the work itself includes several stages.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Getting rid of all debris, leveling the base.
2. Preparation of concrete screed. This step can be skipped if the rough base is already sufficiently leveled. The base can be covered with sand.
3. Laying brick bases that will support the logs. The height of the brick bases is equal to the height of the flooring.
4. Attaching joists to posts. Logs are boards with a section of 25x25 in increments of 100 cm.
5. Laying floor boards. Work should begin from the corner away from the room relative to the doorway. Self-tapping screws are suitable for fastening. It is important that the caps are completely embedded in the wood when screwing in.
6. The floor design must include a drain.

After laying the floor, the walls are covered. A frame base is installed for the cladding. The frame material is timber or simple slats. It is important to consider the load level here. For example, shelves are often attached to walls; the slats will not support them. The direction of the frame base should be perpendicular to the lining.

Guide to work stages:

1. Install the first and last strips on the wall using self-tapping screws. The pitch of the guides is selected in accordance with the dimensions of the insulating materials.
2. Strengthen the waterproofing material over the frame.
3. Start working with insulation (for example, mineral wool).
4. Lay a layer of vapor barrier. Individual sheets of material are better fastened with a construction stapler.
5. Start arranging the lining, starting from the farthest section of the room.

After covering the verticals, proceed to the ceiling work. Lining is also allowed for the ceiling. An edged board or timber is suitable as a frame. The pitch of the frame corresponds to the size of the insulation boards. The frame is installed similarly to the walls.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Attach a layer of moisture-repellent base over the frame.
2. Next, fill the gaps with insulation (for example, basalt wool).
3. Level the slabs carefully.
4. Install a vapor barrier layer on top of the insulation using a construction stapler. Provide an overlap of 20-30 cm. Glue the joints with aluminum tape.
5. Proceed to the installation of the lining.