Anyone engaged in repair in the bathroom, sooner or later asks, "What floor do in the bathroom? ».Water resistance is the main requirement that is imposed on the floor covering in this part of the house. For this reason, the use of ceramic tiles became common. But today there is an excellent replacement for the traditional ceramic floor in the bathroom.
Pros
There is an opinion that the wooden floor for the bathroom is not suitable. But this is a delusion. Properly assembled, it not only is not inferior to ceramics for water resistance, but also has a number of advantages of :
- Heat .Wood has a low thermal conductivity. Therefore, the wooden floor in the bathroom - this is a warm coating without the cost of installing heating systems.
- Environmentally friendly and cozy .Using a wooden floor allows you to escape from the cold chamber in the bathroom. Natural textures and colors of natural material fill the room with an atmosphere of tranquility, warmth and comfort.
- Creative space .The bathroom, where the floor is not finished with tiles, but with a tree - is a step beyond stereotypes. A combination of wood with other materials for decoration and decoration is an excellent opportunity to show individuality.
Cons
The disadvantages of the wooden floor in the bathroom can be attributed to possible deformation under the influence of high humidity. Although the technology of flooring has successfully coped with this problem.
If the choice is made and a wooden floor is installed in the bathroom, it is necessary to determine the material. Consider a few of the most common.
The waterproofing of the wooden house was discussed in detail in another article.
Selection of wood species
Teak wood. Shipbuilders have been using this material for more than one hundred years. The dense structure of the fibers makes it not only waterproof, but also allows the accumulation of heat. Teak wood is resistant to wear and chemicals. A light natural surface roughness makes the floor non-slip, and, therefore, safe. A deep dark shade and a distinct woody pattern will add a bathroom to the nobility and luxury. Perhaps the only disadvantage of teak floor is its high cost( price per 1 square meter from 3000 to 10,000 rubles).
Thermal tree. A modern material that deserves attention. The thermal tree is produced by treating the wood with high temperature steam( +240 ° C) without access to oxygen. Due to this, the moisture resistance, the resistance of the wood to the development of fungi, rotting and deformations several times increase.
How to save money? Larch, oak, ash, elm. These wood species at a lower cost and higher technical characteristics are a worthy alternative to tic.
They also allow you to get a moisture-resistant and reliable floor covering, create an atmosphere of coziness in the bathroom.
Preparatory work before laying the flooring
The foundation for any type of flooring, including wooden flooring, requires quality preparation. It must be geometrically stable, strong and even.
If this cementitious screed:
- , cracks and chips in the corners of the pouring are not allowed;
- surface should be smooth;deviation along the horizontal axis within 2 mm by 2 m in length;
- sand and cement fill should be uniform, providing the best possible distribution of the load on all layers of the structure.
In addition, for surface finish installation, the surface can be aligned with sheet materials: moisture-proof plywood, gypsum fiber, DSP or OSB.The sheets are attached to the lagged level.
Waterproofing
The base has been prepared. The next required step is heat and waterproofing.
Increase the thermal insulation characteristics of the wooden floor, especially when it is laid on the cement screed, will allow cellular materials with zero hygroscopicity and minimal thermal conductivity. To do this, the most commonly used foil insulation on the basis of polyethylene foam, a technical plug, polystyrene foam, or pour a layer of rubber chips or expanded clay.
If you do not want the floors to rot in a few years, make a waterproofing. There are 3 main types: cast, painting waterproofing and roll.
Cast waterproofing .This is the most reliable way to protect the surface from unwanted moisture. There are two main ways: cold and hot( asphalt-polymer).It is carried out only on rigid, monolithic bases. Used bitumen solutions and mastics with application in several layers with thickness from 5 to 15 cm. The layer of waterproofing can be strengthened due to fiberglass, foams or reinforcing meshes. A cement screed is applied from above.
Rolled waterproofing .Produced by gluing to the primed surface of roll or sheet materials in several layers. When installing floors in the bathroom, it is preferable to use a roll insulator based on non-woven polyester or fibrous glass fiber covered with a layer of modified bitumen. For example, uniflex, isoplast, glass-glass, hydroglass, techno-elast. The layer of the insulator is put on the floor and set on the walls "with a margin", so that the edge protrudes above the level of the future floor.
More information about the types of waterproofing, their advantages and disadvantages you can learn by reading our article on waterproofing bathroom .Here, the order of work is considered step by step.
Paint waterproofing .Special waterproofing mixtures are applied to the surface with a roller or brush. This method of waterproofing is the simplest and least durable.
Floor leveling, flooring, marking
After the waterproofing of the surface is leveled. It is best to use self-leveling compounds. For this, using a hydro level, marks are made on walls at the same height. On them with the help of a cord are established beacons. According to the instructions of the manufacturer of the mixture, prepare the solution and fill the surface. A needle roller is used to distribute the solution evenly and remove air bubbles. The poured base is kept for several days. In order for the solution to gain declared strength, it is necessary to strictly follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
The next step is laying the floors. This process will require maximum accuracy and care. The rule "measure seven times, cut once" is as relevant as ever. The accuracy of marking and marking of communications will affect not only the quality of work, but also its speed.
you will need: a tape measure, a pencil, a rubber mallet, wedges, a stationery knife, nails. The set of tools may vary slightly, depending on the type of material that you choose.
Floor installation
Before starting work, it is recommended to keep the material for several days in the bathroom for acclimatization.
Floor laying starts from the door. Elements are tightly fitted with a rubber kiyanki and fixed according to the instructions.
After laying the last board, the surface is examined for errors. Minor defects are eliminated with a special wax or mastic, after which the surface is gently rubbed.
The last stage of the work - protection of the wooden floor. For this, the surface is again cleaned from possible contaminants and dust, dried and applied a special lacquer, strictly following the instructions.
For use in the bathroom there is a special type of laminate, the features and characteristics of which you can learn by reading our article on the waterproof laminate for the bathroom.
Tips
The wooden floor in the bathroom is a good alternative to the already obsolete ceramics. Modern materials allow you to get no less reliable coverage and implement the most daring design solutions. The main rule is patience and accuracy at every stage of the work. Do not rush and violate the recommendations of specialists. Ultimately, the money spent, labor and time will be rewarded with many years of operation.
