The number and location of bath windows is determined at the stage of creating the project for the future building. Windows for a bathhouse provide reliable sound and heat insulation, and are also an integral decorative element of the structure. When installing windows, it is important to take into account not only their design features, but also the materials from which the bathhouse itself is built - wood, concrete or brick.
Arguments against window installation
In a classic Russian bath there is no window in the steam room. After all, creating and maintaining the desired indoor microclimate is quite difficult. To do this, you need to heat the bathhouse well. And then optimally maintain the beneficial heat.
The presence of a window opening automatically implies the existence of drafts. And they have a very bad effect on the quality of steam. Therefore, even the much-needed ventilation of the room after taking bath procedures was traditionally carried out only through the door. And to dry out the excessive humidity, a massive wood-burning stove was enough, which kept the heat for a long time.
In order not to lose precious heat in the steam room, many modern builders do not even equip a ventilation system. And even more so they refuse even the smallest window. And in their decisions they rely on the experience of their ancestors. Moreover, in addition to heat losses when there is a window in the steam room, there are other problems.
For example, the accumulation of condensation on glass due to temperature changes. Water flows onto the windowsill or wall. And ordinary ventilation will not help to remove this excess moisture. Over time, mold settles on wood or concrete surfaces.
Condensation on the window Source 7lestnic.com
There is a possibility that highly heated glass may burst due to drops of cold water falling on it. But in reality this is only a theoretical assumption. Although many developers, based on such fears, either install special heat-resistant glass in the frame or abandon it altogether.
But in a Russian bath the air temperature rarely rises above 70 °C. This is the peculiarity of steam rooms with a large amount of steam. Under such conditions, the window surface heats up no higher than 45 °C.
For glass to crack due to temperature changes, it must be heated to more than 100 °C and maintained in this state for a long time. This is theoretically possible in dry saunas. But in practice, the glass on a window in a steam room can only break if it is very thin. And according to building codes, its recommended thickness should be at least 6 mm.
Panoramic window in the steam room Source na-dache.pro
Many people also don’t like the fact that the window allows them to spy on those washing. But this is a psychological aspect. And it can be solved quite simply with the help of ordinary curtains. By the way, the latter will protect the glass from splashes of cold water. Therefore, the main argument against installing a window opening in a steam room remains the danger of heat loss due to drafts. But we have already learned to cope with this problem.
Cementin is a cheaper product
The high cost of painting drying oil prompted us to find means to replace it with a cheaper product.
After numerous experiments based on studying the properties of oils, as well as drugs offered abroad, it was possible to prepare a composition called cementin, the merits of which have been fully determined over the past decades.
Cementin is a liquid with the consistency of ordinary painting varnish, light fawn in color, which makes it convenient for priming under different colors of oil and adhesive paints on wood, brick, cement, plaster, and also as an independent paint for inexpensive household paints. It is especially recommended for priming fresh (new) wood, such as facades, roofs, fences and other wooden structures.
For cheap work, a single coat of oil paint is usually sufficient to obtain a smooth and shiny surface.
Arguments for the window in the steam room
When debating whether a window is needed in a steam room, a strong argument can be made in favor of the latter. In such premises it is very important to comply with sanitary standards. And first of all, hygienic ventilation is simply necessary for this.
Traditionally, to do this, they open the door to the steam room and wait until the temperature in it becomes equal to the dressing room. This takes a lot of time. And in this case, burst ventilation will be more effective. And for him, opposite the open door in the steam room there should be an open window. To create a strong draft.
Window for burst ventilation Source mykaleidoscope.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in redevelopment of country houses of any complexity
And there is no need to be afraid that the latter will remain (even if weak) even with the window closed. It was like that before. Modern windows provide for complete sealing of the room in a closed state. And this is provided not only by plastic structures, but also by wooden analogues.
Significant heat losses are possible only if the size of the window in the steam room is very large. But even in this case, problems can be reduced to a minimum. For example, insert fairly thick glass into the frame. Or use modern double-glazed windows.
The presence of a window in a steam room is a good security measure. If the outlet is jammed, the window can provide not only an influx of fresh air for breathing. Through it you can call for help. And if a fire occurs, the window becomes an emergency exit from the emergency room.
There remain two more important aspects - economic and aesthetic. If you plan all water procedures for the daytime, then if there is a window in the steam room, you can not turn on the electric light. For some people this is one of the advantages.
Natural lighting in the sauna Source ngenix.net
In addition, natural light is much better perceived by the eyes. And the opportunity to contemplate the beautiful view outside the window during the session will significantly improve your mood. And all of the above can be briefly summarized.
The presence of a window in the steam room:
- Speeds up hygienic ventilation.
- Ensures the proper level of safety in emergency situations.
- Will allow you to save on electricity.
- Will increase the comfort of staying in the steam room.
Location and parameters
And yet, the main function of a window in a bathhouse or sauna is ventilation. This must be remembered when choosing their number per room. And also searching for the optimal location.
As a rule, a bathhouse has three rooms. This is a dressing room, often combined with a rest room. Then there is a washing room in which water procedures are carried out. And a steam room, where it is very important to maintain a high air temperature.
In the last two rooms, one small window is enough. Or even windows to provide ventilation. But the window in the dressing room can be large. Or even several if the room is spacious enough.
Waiting room in a Russian bath Source old.artkelo.ru
Insulation of the room
Attach the foil material with the reflective side facing towards the room
It is better to insulate the steam room inside than to install an insulator outside. The peculiarities of the room are such that steam and high temperature must be kept in the room, and with external cladding, part of the energy is spent on heating the wall. Condensation that appears on vertical fences will lead to their deterioration and gradual destruction from rot.
Insulation used:
- mineral, stone wool, slag wool;
- foil foam, penoizol;
- extruded polystyrene foam.
Mineral wool quickly becomes saturated with moisture from condensation and steam, so its operation requires a counter-lattice to create ventilation. This design makes an already small room smaller. Foil material, which is not moisturized and has a small thickness, works more effectively.
Wooden windows
Most people, when taking care of their health, prefer to surround themselves with natural materials. And in this case, wood comes first. Its value for creating a favorable microclimate in a building is simply undeniable.
Advantages of wooden windows:
- They are able to “breathe”, that is, they can both absorb and release air vapor, adapting to the microclimate of the room.
- They accumulate heat and retain it for a long time.
- They look noble and respectable.
- Easily repaired and restored.
True, the material is afraid of both excessive humidity and extreme dry air. It can be damaged by insects or mold. But all this applies to unprocessed structures. And modern wooden windows are far from what they were just 10 years ago.
Today's glazed frames can easily resist any precipitation and even abnormal heat or northern frosts. Modern assembly and material processing technologies make structures completely sealed. And their service life has also increased significantly thanks to special impregnations.
Modern wooden window Source yandex.net
It is believed that any wood is suitable for a window frame. This is partly true, but a footnote should be added below the statement. It is important for what room the structure is being made. So, coniferous types of wood are completely unsuitable for a bathhouse. When heated, they begin to ooze resin. Larch also suffers from this.
Many people praise oak or beech because of the beauty of their texture and excellent strength. But there are also disadvantages to these varieties. These materials do not tolerate changes in humidity very well and crack. Therefore, experts recommend choosing linden, ash or aspen. But alder remains the best option for a bathhouse.
Comparative characteristics of different materials
High-quality wooden panels:
- service life – at least 100 years;
- air permeability coefficient – 15–25 kg/m2/h;
- thermal conductivity coefficient – 0.18 W/m2/s;
- compression deformation coefficient – 10 E N/mm2;
- Impact resistance – high.
Plastic option:
- service life – at least 50 years;
- air permeability coefficient – 3–4 kg/m2/h;
- thermal conductivity coefficient – 0.15–0.2 W/m2/s;
- compression deformation coefficient – 2.7 E N/mm2;
- Impact resistance – average.
Combined fabrics:
- service life – at least 90 years;
- air permeability coefficient – 4.9 kg/m2/h;
- thermal conductivity coefficient – 0.71 W/m2/s;
- compression deformation coefficient – 18–40 E N/mm2;
- Impact resistance – high.
Thus, dear friends, there is plenty to choose from!
Plastic windows
There is a completely authoritative opinion that plastic has no place in the bathhouse. And this is partially correct. The material is completely unsuitable for a steam room. Even the most expensive and high quality. After all, when heated, it will inevitably release toxins. No matter how the manufacturers claim otherwise.
But for a dressing room or washing area, plastic is quite suitable. These rooms are not exposed to much heat, so the material will remain neutral. Plastic windows for baths have good characteristics. They do not absorb moisture at all and therefore can be easily opened for ventilation under any conditions.
Combined
Such modern designs have a very high price. But their quality and basic characteristics are significantly superior to models made from only one material. Combinations of wood with metal and plastic increase all the positive properties and brighten up other disadvantages.
Methods for producing combined windows:
- The frame is made of either plastic or aluminum. The inside of the window is then covered with wood trim.
- A wooden frame is made. Then it is sewn up on the outside with aluminum or plastic panels.
- The design has two frames. The outer one is made of metal or plastic. The inner one is made of wood.
The second and third methods are suitable for windows that can be installed in a steam room. Because all problematic materials remain outside, and only natural ones are inside. Therefore, it is impossible to inhale harmful fumes or get burned on heated metal.
Combined window made of wood and aluminum Source okna-fresh.ru
Construction of regiments
Corner shelves
The design of a Russian bath requires comfortable sitting or lying down during the procedure. Single-tier shelves are placed between the walls; if convenient, they make a structure in the corner. The benches on the first floor are made mobile so that they can be dried outside. If the stove is located in a steam room, make it at least 80 cm from the nearest shelf.
Instructions for assembling a single-tier bench:
- cut lumber into racks, cross members, struts;
- the seating boards are sanded and laid upside down;
- transverse bars are attached at a distance of 200 mm from the ends;
- Spacers are fixed to the racks at a height of 150 mm;
- legs are attached to the crossbars, rubber pads are nailed to the ends;
- make the back.
Wooden dowels are used for connections. The use of steel hardware is allowed, but they are driven inside so that the caps do not protrude on the surface of the wood, otherwise the visitor will be burned if they touch it. For shelves in several tiers, racks are attached to the wall, purlins are placed on them and seating boards are mounted. The structure must be stable and securely fixed to the vertical plane.
Installation features
When installing windows, problems arise only in wooden buildings. A bathhouse made of logs or timber takes a very long time to shrink. This is the nature of wood. And if the window in the opening is fixed in the usual way (tightly), then after a while the glass in it will burst due to deformation of the frame.
Some developers wait a year or two and then install the windows. It is believed that during this period the active shrinkage of the structure ends. But this happens extremely rarely, and in most cases the process continues for years. Therefore, a special installation method is usually chosen.
The window frame is installed in a “casing” or “jam”. The structure is a separate wooden frame, which is placed in the wall opening. Moreover, it is never firmly fixed. The additional frame moves in the cut grooves inside the wall with a play of 7 cm. This allows you to avoid deformation of the window frame while the bathhouse shrinks.
A permanent stone structure does not have such problems. Its shrinkage stops at the stage of arranging the foundation. And when they finish building the walls, there is nothing stopping them from immediately installing all the windows.
Additional difficulties may arise if plastic windows for the bathhouse are chosen. Regardless of the wall material, working with such structures requires a lot of experience. Depressurization of a double-glazed window can occur even due to a small error. Therefore, it is better to entrust installation to professionals.
Dimensions of opening doors
To ventilate the premises, the structures are equipped with doors. A very convenient combination option, consisting of a blind and a rotating sash. The parameters of the active elements depend on the material from which the products are made and dimensions. All designs with parameters greater than 500 x 500 mm require a window.
For natural wood, GOST 24700-99 recommends:
- minimum dimensions of sashes 300 x 300;
- maximum dimensions - 1800 x 1200.
The optimal cross-section of the timber is no more than 7.8 x 7.8 cm.
The standard for PVC profiles indicates the following dimensions:
- minimum - 400 x 400;
- maximum dimensions - 1200 x 800.
The area of active doors is no more than 220 square meters. see. Permissible error in diagonal lengths is 2 mm for lengths up to 1400 mm and 3 mm for lengths over 1400 mm.
Vertical transoms are recommended to be made in the following sizes:
- minimum - 400 x 800;
- maximum - 700 x 1000.
Depending on the area of the recreation room, the number of doors can be from one to three.
Briefly about the main thing
Although traditionally all steam rooms in Russian baths do not have windows, their installation is justified by many indicators. And the main compelling argument is the possibility of burst ventilation. This method brings the premises to the necessary sanitary standards much faster.
For a steam room, it is important to choose the optimal window size and location. A window that is too small will not serve as an emergency exit. A large window will affect heat loss. And this is unacceptable for a bathhouse.
For the steam room, it is absolutely necessary to avoid plastic, since it is harmful to health when heated. Therefore, it is better to opt for wooden frames made of alder. This type of wood is ideally suited for a bath structure.
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