How to process the floors in the steam room. How to cover the wooden floor in the house: the choice of coverage, tips

If wooden floors are made in a residential or non-residential building, then it would be wrong to leave them without a protective finish coating. Without it, the surface will quickly become dirty, worn out, moldy or spoiled by microorganisms. Wooden floors are processed using different materials. They not only protect the surface and prolong its service life, but also enhance the aesthetic performance, giving a matte or glossy sheen, a certain color or shade, emphasizing the beauty of the wood grain. To understand how to process a wooden floor, you need to take into account the purpose of the room, the characteristics of the temperature and humidity conditions in it, and the properties of the coating.

Why is wood flooring done?

The plank floor in a private house, apartment, on a balcony or in a non-residential premises is treated to protect against:

• spoilage by microorganisms;
• moisture;
• sunlight;
• mold;
• exposure to high and low temperatures.

Wood is particularly susceptible to microorganism and mold damage in wet conditions, so protection against moisture absorption is especially important. When the temperature and humidity in the room change, the wood absorbs and releases moisture, due to which the material shrinks, swells and deforms. Protective impregnation and varnishing to some extent reduce the effect of these negative factors on the material and make the product more stable.

It is necessary to cover the floor on an unheated balcony, loggia or veranda to protect it from moisture and sunlight. In addition, any coating reduces the degree of surface contamination, increases its wear resistance and strength.

Types of materials for processing and protection

The following materials are commonly used to process a wooden floor:

• an antiseptic is necessary for all wood products to protect against damage by microorganisms;
• varnishes increase wear resistance and surface strength, protect against moisture;
• oils should be chosen if you want to protect the floor from the absorption of dirt, increase its aesthetic characteristics, protect it from moisture and damage by microorganisms;
• after treatment with oils or antiseptic impregnations, wax is often applied, it gives the surface shine, eliminates minor irregularities and defects, protects against moisture and damage by microorganisms;
• if you want to cover the surface with a dense color composition, then choose paint, under a thick layer of paint the board is reliably protected from moisture, sun and other negative influences.

Antiseptic impregnations

Primary treatment with antiseptic impregnations is carried out at the stage of lumber harvesting. After that, during the operation of the finished product, such processing is periodically repeated to extend the service life.

An antiseptic for a wooden floor is needed both for preventive purposes and for visible wood damage by mold and bacteria. In this case, the following types of impregnations are used:

1. Water soluble formulations they are distinguished by the absence of smell, quick absorption and ease of application (even a wet surface can be treated). The ingredients are completely non-toxic. They are used in residential and commercial buildings for processing doors, frames, fences and other lumber. The disadvantages include the following:

• water-based antiseptics are not suitable for boards in contact with water;
• penetrate deeply.

1. Organic Based Blends have deep penetration. They contain many useful additives. But they have a pungent odor and require preliminary surface preparation before application. They are used in damp rooms, for example, cellars or baths.
2. Combinations are also on sale.

Important! All antiseptics are divided into transport, which are designed for temporary processing of wood for the period of its transportation and installation, and long-term, designed to protect the product for many decades.

Lucky

This transparent agent, after being applied to the surface and drying, forms a strong transparent film that gives the product a shine, increases the wear resistance of the floor, protects against moisture, decay and mold.

Varnishes are produced on the basis of different resins, which are dissolved by volatile compounds. Acrylic copolymers, polyurethane, synthetic and natural resins are used as the basis.

For the treatment of wooden surfaces, the following types of varnishes are used:

1. Water-soluble one- and two-component formulations. The most durable and expensive two-component varnishes. They are odorless and dry quickly. Such varnishes increase the wear resistance of the floor.
2. Alkyd compounds emphasize the natural beauty of the tree, increase the strength of the product. They are not suitable for work at high temperatures, are difficult to apply and take a long time to dry.
3. Polyurethane-based mixtures the strongest and most durable. After their application, the wear resistance of the floor increases significantly. The disadvantage of these compounds is that they are applied only to well-dried boards. Otherwise, defects in the form of blisters and bubbles appear on the surface.

Dye

This opaque durable coating is made on the basis of acrylic, polyurethane or tetrachlorvinyl. Most often, alkyd and acrylic paints are used in houses, which have the following advantages:

• they are very easy and simple to apply;
• the floor surface is easy to care for;
• do not need the use of special cleaning products;
• each consumer can choose an affordable product;
• a large selection of colors, which facilitates the selection of coatings for the color of the interior;
• the paint layer, subject to proper care and gentle mechanical action, will last for more than one year.

Important! The disadvantage of paint is the low aesthetic appeal of the coating in comparison with varnish, oil and wax. Moreover, the paint hides the beauty of the wood, and the coating loses its natural look.

Oil impregnations

Oil impregnation for a wooden floor differs from varnish in that it does not form a dense impermeable layer on the surface. The oil is absorbed into the upper layers of wood and increases the moisture resistance of the material and its resistance to wear.

If you have wooden floors in the nursery, it’s easy to guess how to treat their surface if you study all the features of oil impregnation. The oil fills all the pores of the wood and reduces the possibility of penetration of moisture and dirt. But at the same time, the natural look of the material and the beauty of its texture are completely preserved.

Important! There are colorless oils that preserve the natural color of the material, and compounds that give the product a certain shade.

Oil impregnations allow you to get a pleasant to the touch, non-slip surface. This coating option is suitable for living rooms with low traffic, for example, for bedrooms and children's rooms. But keep in mind that oil treatment will have to be renewed periodically.

Wax

On sale there are special waxes for impregnating wood. They are applied to the surface with the help of special rollers, after which they are carefully rubbed and polished with a soft cloth. Waxing is needed to increase the moisture resistance of the floor, giving it beauty and a beautiful shade.

Important! The main disadvantage of wax is its low resistance to mechanical stress.

However, the wax coating is ideal for floors with defects in the form of small cracks, crevices and irregularities, since after its application all these problems are eliminated. It turns out a flat, smooth and shiny surface.

What determines the choice of means of protection?

Now let's figure out the best way to cover the wooden floors in the house. The use of varnishes should be abandoned in the following cases:

• If the wooden surface has previously been treated with oil formulations. They cannot be removed even with the help of scraping, since the oil penetrates deep into the structure of the tree. If you apply varnish on such a surface, it will swell and peel off.
• Varnishes are not suitable for rooms with high humidity (bathrooms, verandas, balconies).
• Lacquer compositions are not used to treat the floor on an open balcony, terrace, veranda or in the gazebo.

How to process the floors in the bath? This worries many. The problem is complicated by the fact that the most common material for finishing these structures is wood, which has low moisture resistance. Many building materials undergo accelerated destruction at high humidity and temperature. Even concrete requires special protection.

Problem Features

The floor in the bath during constant operation is in rather difficult conditions, especially for the coating in the steam room. Here, the material is exposed to water, saturated water vapor, which condenses on the walls and floor, and the temperature rises sharply to 60-70°C in a Russian bath and almost 100°C in a sauna.

The floor in the bath during constant operation is in rather difficult conditions

In the sink, the temperature is lower and there is no steam, but the chemical action of detergents is added. In addition, the soil also has a rather serious effect: water, especially during the flood period, is able to penetrate from below and flood the floor. It should also be mentioned that there is a huge difference in temperatures inside the room and under the floor. Under such conditions, various microorganisms, fungi and mold actively develop, which causes the process of decay of the material.

The need for special protective measures is not in doubt. The problem is not whether it is necessary to protect the material, but how to treat the floors in the bath from decay. This task is complicated by the same specific bath conditions. The products used should not decompose when exposed to temperature and hot water, releasing substances harmful to humans. Many fillers become dangerous in the steam room: you can not use chipboard, plywood, polystyrene, many paints and varnishes.

The products used must not decompose when exposed to temperature and hot water.

How can you solve the question of how to process the floor in the steam room of the bath? The most popular material is wood, and it is it that undergoes active decay in wet conditions.

On a note! To protect the material, the most effective impregnation with maximum penetration of the antiseptic composition deep into the wood.

It is also possible to use external protective coatings, which give good results in other bath rooms except for the steam room.

It should not be assumed that other floor materials do not require protection. Concrete in a bath is able to collapse quickly enough, so the task of how to process a concrete floor in a bath is no less relevant than protecting wood. When strengthening the concrete screed, the necessary additives are introduced at the stage of preparing the mixture. They increase the water resistance of concrete, and exclude the destruction of metal reinforcement.

Principles of protection of wooden floors

When deciding how to process a wooden floor in a bath, the following goals are set:

1. Ensuring moisture resistance. All impregnating compositions provide a different level of such protection, but all are based on blocking internal channels, which prevents water from penetrating deep. An important indicator is the depth of penetration of the substance into the wood.
2. Antiseptic, antibacterial effect. Rotting wood is caused by the vital activity of fungi and wood-destroying microorganisms. The introduction of an antiseptic into the material does not allow these pests to develop.
3. Fire protection. Wood is considered a flammable material, and taking into account the presence of a sauna stove and firebox, increasing resistance to fire becomes a necessary condition for arranging a sauna floor.
4. Aesthetic properties. A side, but very important task of the impregnating composition is often the change in the color tone of the wood. It can emphasize the beautiful structure of the tree, darken or, conversely, whiten the material. Decorating abilities are invested in most modern protective mixtures for processing wood products. Of course, when considering how to process the logs of the bath floor, this property does not play any role, which means that you can choose a more economical option. But when choosing how to process the floor boards in the bath, which make up the top coating, it is advisable to take into account this possibility.

A side, but very important task of the impregnating composition is often the change in the color tone of the wood.

The choice of compositions for a wooden floor

To protect the wooden elements of the floor bath covering, the following means can be used:

1. Lacquer products. In bathing conditions, they can be used in all rooms, except for the steam room. Antiseptic ingredients are introduced into their composition to prevent decay.
2. Impregnation agents. Their protective properties are based on the presence of phytoicides in the composition. With their help, logs and boards are processed.
3. Antiseptics. These products are available in the form of solutions based on fungicides. Some compounds have increased toxicity, and therefore they must be coated with special varnishes or paint.

To protect the wooden elements of the bath floor covering, various means can be used.

In construction, impregnating compounds are widely used, with which it is necessary to process all, without exception, wooden elements at the construction stage of the bath. These funds are available in 4 categories:

• oil;
• water soluble;
• based on organic solvents and with a combined base.

On a note! Often, drying oil is used as an impregnation, which penetrates well into the wood, and after drying and polymerization forms a protective film.

Among branded compositions, such means are popular:

• Tikkurila;
• Texturol;
• Drevotex;
• BioZ;
• Pinotex;
• Senezh Ognebio;
• Neomid;
• Aquatex.

Film-forming composition Natura (Teknos)

The following compositions designed to protect wooden elements in the bath are distinguished by high environmental cleanliness:

1. Water-soluble Sauna, made on an acrylic basis. With its help, a water-repellent polymer layer with heat-resistant properties is formed. At the same time, the film is able to pass air through itself. The composition has antimicrobial properties, destroying pathogens of infectious diseases.
2. Waterproofing impregnation Schwartz prevents the development of fungi and the formation of mold.
3. Natura (Teknos) film-forming compound creates a translucent coating that can reliably protect wooden surfaces.
4. The Supi Arctic (Tikkurila) protective agent has high water-repellent characteristics. At the same time, the composition provides an attractive appearance, spectacular shine.

Protective agent Supi Arctic (Tikkurila)

A large group of protective agents are oil-based formulations. The following mixtures stand out: Supi Laudesuoja (Tikkurila), Sauna Natura (Teknos) and Rogneda. They are applied to dry and cleaned wooden surfaces with a brush or sponge. Drying time is 23-25 ​​hours, after which you can heat the bath.

Impregnation Aquatex

Features of concrete floor processing

The concrete floor screed in the bath is subject to serious damage under the influence of humidity and temperature. To strengthen concrete, special additives and impregnating compounds are used. The following groups of such funds are distinguished:

1. Strengthening compounds. By impregnating the surface layer of the material, such agents increase its strength. The principle of their operation is based on the filling of pores and microcracks, which ensures the solidity of concrete.
2. Elimination of dust formation on the surface. The formation of cement dust on the concrete floor is considered their major drawback. This effect is enhanced after exposure to bath conditions. Special means form a protective layer that prevents dust formation.
3. Moisture-repellent additives. Such impregnation significantly increases the water resistance of concrete. At the same time, resistance to various chemical influences of detergents and cleaners increases.

What compounds are used to protect the concrete floor in the bath? There are 2 main types: organic and inorganic impregnating compounds. Organic type products have an epoxy, acrylic or polyurethane base. Such substances have universal properties, ensuring the simultaneous implementation of all the above tasks. The most common polyurethane impregnation of concrete.

On a note! Inorganic-based products work on the principle of turning soluble components into insoluble substances, which makes it difficult for moisture to penetrate and wash out the concrete ingredients.

The concrete floor screed in the bath is subject to serious damage under the influence of humidity and temperature.

It is this type of impregnation that provides resistance to aggressive substances. When using these products, it should be remembered that when they are used, a chemical reaction occurs on the concrete surface, which can change the appearance of the floor. When assessing the degree of such changes, you should first test the acquired composition in a small area. A complete floor treatment is carried out if whitish spots and stains do not appear.

The floor in the bath is in extreme conditions. As a result of the influence of high humidity and temperature, both wood and concrete are destroyed. Modern impregnating compositions make it possible to effectively deal with the destructive process, primarily with rotting. It is important to choose the right product and carefully treat the floor. This procedure is carried out during the construction of the bath or during its operation.

Floor in the steam room: choice of materials, device. Finishing the steam room

The floor in the steam room performs several important functions. First of all, it ensures the safe movement of people. The steam room is always humid. Therefore, the floor must be non-slip so that visitors do not get injured. Also under the base of the premises are sewer communications. The floor should be equipped so that the water is discharged as efficiently as possible. In this case, the coating and all finishing materials inside the steam room will last much longer.

To equip the floor in the bath room correctly, you need to familiarize yourself with the recommendations of experienced builders. In this case, you will be able to do all the work yourself.

materials

Considering how to make a floor in a steam room, you should start with the choice of material. There are two main options. In the first case, the floor is created from wood, and in the second from concrete. Everyone chooses for himself the best type of material.

The concrete floor will require more time and effort. It is also a more expensive type of material. However, the service life of a concrete floor is more than 50 years. It is believed that it is easier to equip a floor made of wood. Such material is cheaper. In this case, the work is done faster and easier.

Wooden flooring is used for 7-8 years. Despite such a short duration of operation of the material, in most cases, masters prefer this particular option. It is quite possible to mount a wooden coating yourself.

Choice of wood

The quality finish of the steam room depends on the right choice of wood. This material must be well dried. Boards should not have defects, cracks or chips. Also, the presence of traces of decay is not allowed.

Deciduous wood species are preferable for a steam room. It is believed that such material has a different effect on the human body. For example, birch is able to energize bath visitors, and aspen, on the contrary, removes negative emotions.

Birch is considered one of the best materials for finishing a steam room. It is well treated with protective compounds. Larch is also considered one of the best options for a bath. This is a durable material. It tolerates temperature extremes, high humidity.

With proper processing, linden can also be used for decoration. Shelves in the steam room are also made from the listed materials, they create decoration for the ceiling and walls.

Leaking floor

The bath, the steam room of which is finished with wood, can be of two types. The first option involves the presence of gaps between the boards. The accumulated moisture will simply flow down. The second version of the floor in the steam room is called non-leaking. It is a bit more complicated to set up.

A leaky floor is the simplest finish option. There are gaps in the flooring through which water seeps into the soil. Sewerage in this case is not equipped. Only in the underground space is a drainage pit created. Sometimes it is replaced by a special container that communicates with sewer communications. Floor insulation in the steam room is also not done.

The presented version of the floor is suitable only for the southern regions and buildings that are operated exclusively in the summer. Boards in this case are not nailed to the lags. They are periodically removed and taken out into the street. Here they are dried and returned to their original place.

Leak-proof floor

The bath, the steam room of which is created in accordance with all building codes, must be leak-proof. When creating its floor, the boards are laid in two rows. First, a rough flooring is installed on the logs. On top of it spread hardwood sheet piled wood.

There are no gaps between the boards in this case. A layer of insulation is laid under the floor. The finish coating should have a slight slope to the place of drainage. A hole with a siphon is equipped here to divert water into the sewer.

To prevent the appearance of deflections in the wooden covering over time, supports are installed in the middle of the lag system. They can be brick, concrete. It is also allowed to use wood for similar purposes.

Arrangement of the underground

The floor in the steam room needs proper arrangement of the space under it. If a leaky floor is created, the filtration properties of the soil are evaluated first. If there is sand under the base of the bath, it will be enough to fill it with gravel. The layer should be about 25 cm. The gravel will clean up the drains before they enter directly into the ground. There must be a distance of at least 10 cm between the backfill and the lags.

If there are loamy soils and clay under the leaking bath, you will need to install a tray to drain the water into the sewer. To do this, a clay castle is created under the floor. It should have a slope towards the sewer.

If the bath is not leaking, the base is covered with expanded clay. There should be a distance of at least 15 cm between it and the lags. This is necessary to create proper ventilation.

Beginning of work

The device of the floor in the steam room involves the installation of a log. They rest on a foundation. This design is typical for almost all modern baths. The creation of a foundation and a sewerage system under the floor allows you to meet the requirements of sanitary and hygienic standards. Otherwise, an unpleasant smell appears in the room over time, and the wooden coating is destroyed.

After arranging the foundation, it is necessary to install logs on it. If the area of ​​​​the steam room is large, you will need to build additional bedside tables. They will help reduce the gaps between the lags.

For the arrangement of the subfloor, hardwood is chosen. It is also allowed to use slabs or thick boards for these purposes. With the help of self-tapping screws or by grooving, the rough flooring is attached to the beams. Next, a heat-insulating layer is necessarily equipped.

Insulation installation

The wooden floor in the steam room requires the presence of thermal insulation. In this case, the heating of the room will occur faster. Heat loss is significantly reduced. This allows you to save on energy resources.

The modern market for heaters offers many varieties of materials. They differ in cost and technical characteristics. Mineral wool is best suited for arranging the floor in the bath. This is an environmentally friendly material. It is able to reliably isolate the room, not letting heat out.

In order for the thermal insulation and the entire structure of the wooden floor to last for a long time, it is necessary to lay a layer of waterproofing on top of the insulation. To do this, you can purchase glassine, roofing material or a polymer membrane.

Finished floor laying

The floor in the steam room is equipped immediately after the installation of the rough base, mineral wool and waterproofing. To do this, prepare grooved boards. Their thickness should not be less than 3 cm.

The boards must not be laid too tightly. If moisture gets on them, the material will swell. If there is not enough room for linear expansion, the wood will lead. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to leave small gaps between the boards on the finish surface.

It is also important to consider the direction of annual rings. At adjacent boards, they should look in different directions. With this installation technique, it is possible to achieve a high level of evenness of the coating.

All trim elements must be installed with the convex side up. In this case, the floor will be strong and reliable.

Final stage

At the final stage, wood is treated with special solutions. There are many such options available for sale. How to process the floors in the steam room, the master decides on his own. It should be an antiseptic that will prevent the appearance of fungus and decay on the floor surface. This solution is also treated with two side and bottom side of the boards.

When laying a finishing coating, it is important to make a slope towards the drain hole. After that, you can carry out scraping and installation of skirting boards. You can remove irregularities on the surface of the coating manually. However, it is more expedient to use an electric planer for these purposes. Before starting such work, it is necessary to check whether nails stick out on the surface of the floor.

Wall and ceiling decoration

After arranging the floor, finishing work on the walls and ceiling is carried out, a door to the steam room and shelves are installed. In this case, it is also allowed to use wood, lining. She finishes the ceiling and walls. A layer of insulation and waterproofing is also installed under the front cover. You should not purchase polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam for such purposes. In a steam room, such heaters will release substances that are unsafe for the human body.

It should be remembered that it is impossible to finish the ceiling and walls in the steam room with plastic, wood panels, chipboard, plywood, etc. Coniferous wood is also not suitable for these purposes. They will release resin when heated. This will cause burns.

It is not recommended to cover the lining in the bath with special means. Lacquer, stain or other similar coatings, when heated, will emit harmful substances, an unpleasant odor will appear. Being in such a room would be simply unbearable.

Interior arrangement

After finishing the ceiling and walls, it is necessary to install the door to the steam room. It can be made of special heat-resistant glass or wood. The first option is preferable. Glass allows you to create a stylish look inside the steam room.

Shelves in the steam room should be arranged in several rows. To create them, hardwoods are used. The surface of the material must be well polished. It should not have defects, chips. It is also unacceptable that metal caps of carnations protrude on the surface of the shelves. At elevated temperatures, this may cause burns.

An important element of the interior of the bath is the stove. There are many different models on the market. The stove can be wood-burning or have an electric heating element. Each owner chooses the best option for himself. Some owners prefer to build it from bricks right on the spot. It is easier for others to purchase ready-made furnaces made of steel or cast iron. An electric heating element does not imply the possibility of dousing hot stones with water. If the owners like a bath with high humidity, they should give preference to a traditional stone oven.

Room finishing options

Experts recommend not to use too much wood when decorating the interior of the bath. The steam room looks original, in which the lining is combined with tiles, plexiglass, natural stone. If you wish, you can seek the help of a professional designer. He will develop an original interior design. It will be pleasant for all visitors to be in such a room.

Finishing the steam room should be tasteful. You should also pay attention to the choice of fixtures. There should be enough light in the steam room. Plafonds can be made of natural wood or other heat-resistant materials.

It is very important to provide a ventilation hole inside the bath. Airing will avoid the appearance of dampness, pathogens. However, making a ventilation window inside the steam room is useless. It is best to equip it in a dressing room or washing room. The steam room is ventilated when the door is opened.

After considering the technology, how the floor in the steam room is arranged, the interior decoration and decoration takes place, each owner of a country house will be able to independently equip the bath correctly.

We decide how to cover the shelves in the bath

Bath shelves must be protected from high temperatures and moisture.

After finishing the interior decoration, the question arises: how to cover the shelves in the bath, walls and other wooden elements. Use natural formulations or cheap ones with chemical additives? Is it necessary, in general, to treat the shelves with something, or can the wood be left unprotected? Readers will learn all this in this article.

Why it is necessary to protect all elements of the steam room

In a properly constructed bath, hydro and vapor barriers are of high quality. Wooden elements: a bench for a bath, shelves, a table, etc. must also be protected from external harmful effects. This is especially true of the steam room, where it should be safe and durable.

The bath shelves are sanded and covered with Tikkurila antiseptic.

The steam room is the main room in any bath, the shelves need to be strong, safe. Exposure to hot steam and water makes the tree vulnerable, and without special treatment, the canopy will last no more than 1 year. It is not customary to make a canopy not from wood in a steam room, and this material does not like water. If you take high-quality wood and carry out the correct processing, then the wooden structure will last a long time.

Initially, it is necessary to take into account the type of wood from which the structure is made. Shelves are made of aspen, which hardens from interaction with water, linden with a pleasant soft texture, it does not heat up at high temperatures, or alder. The latter is difficult to find in the construction markets, so it is used less frequently.

Any of the types is not afraid of hot steam, it is easily processed. The price of the material is higher than that of pine or spruce, but it is better to overpay once. There are several types of wood that are not very common in Russia, but are imported to us from southern countries. These include: abash saddles, ofram, miranti. They have a pleasant texture, are not afraid of moisture and steam. Their price is high. They are used mainly in expensive decoration.

Any shelf, made of expensive abash or our linden, must be treated with special compositions for the steam room after installation.
You can often hear user reviews that it is better not to process shelves at all. The fact is that improperly selected compositions can negatively interact with human skin at high temperatures. The shelves are simply sanded to a completely smooth polished surface. Specialists all the time argue to process or not shelves. It is impossible to give a definite answer. It is not good to process wood, because in baths with poor ventilation, the shelves quickly darken and become covered with mold, and it is also not worth processing with a low-quality composition. Everyone chooses for himself, but if you decide to leave the shelves unprocessed, then high-quality ventilation is necessary.

Means for processing elements of the steam room

All compositions for processing the shelf according to their color can be divided into:

1. Colorless.
2. Colored.

Colorless include various impregnations, waxes, varnishes, bleaching compounds. The latter belong to a separate group, as they are used in some cases when the shelves have darkened. It is not necessary to cover the entire surface, but only the affected areas.

According to the type of coating, they are divided into: impregnations, coating compositions.

Varnishes for the shelf

The shelves in the bath are covered with water-based varnish.

Coatings include varnishes. But it is not recommended to use any varnish for processing the shelf. At high temperature, it will release poisonous fumes, and high temperature will quickly destroy the surface. To process elements of the steam room, special acrylics are used, for example, from Tikkurila, Supi Saunasoja, Belinka. Lacquer for the steam room has a natural base, resistant to temperature extremes and has many shades.

The main advantages of varnish coatings include:

1. The composition contains antiseptic substances, so there is no need to additionally process the shelves before coating.
2. At temperatures above 100°C, they do not lose their quality characteristics.
3. They create a film on the surface of the shelf that reliably protects the surface from water.

You can choose the color you want or use transparent.
Lacquer protective film is applied as follows:

The surface of the shelf is sanded starting from a large nozzle and ending with the smallest one - polishing. With a damp cloth, the structure is cleaned of dust and dirt, after which it is completely tapped. The varnish can be applied with a brush or roller. It is important to lubricate all parts, therefore, in hard-to-reach places, use a thin brush or sponge. It is necessary to cover in two layers.

The first layer is applied to the product, slightly diluting it with water, so the color will be evener. If the varnish is colorless (glazing) it can be applied undiluted. The composition dries quickly, the exact time is indicated on the can of each manufacturer. Apply the second layer after the first has dried.

During operation, the bath room should be at least + 5 ° C and humidity from 75%.

If a varnish with coloring is chosen, then before coating it is recommended to process a small board with it in 2 layers. So you can make sure that the color completely triples.

Tools for processing are taken without rust, clean. If rust gets under the varnish, it will be difficult to remove it from there.

Impregnations and bleaches for the shelf

Impregnation Senezh for regiments.

Among various impregnations and bleaches, Belinka sauna from a Slovenian manufacturer, our complex compositions Pirilax, Prime Thermo, Neomid 200, which protect shelves from moisture, fungi, mold and fire, are especially popular. Bleach is also used only for saunas and baths. It is often believed that as a bleach, you can use the usual composition based on bleach, such as Whiteness. But you should not do this, since bleach vapors are dangerous for humans, and contact with skin in a hot room can generally cause a 2nd degree burn.

Impregnations and antiseptics have a number of advantages:

1. Do not change the appearance of wood.
2. Easy to apply.
3. Dry quickly.
4. Create comprehensive protection.
5. It is inexpensive.

More information about the impregnation of Neomid 200 is told in the video:

Impregnation must be applied in the following steps:

1. The shelf is cleaned and polished.
2. The surface is cleaned of dust after grinding.
3. The impregnating composition is applied in 2-3 layers.

Each subsequent layer of impregnating compositions must be applied at intervals of 40-50 minutes.

If the shelves are not new and have already begun to rot or become moldy, you can use the Nortex composition, which is able to stop the destruction. To whiten the blue, bleach is used, for example, from Belinka "Doctor for Wood". Apply bleach with a sponge in one layer only on the darkened area. Complete whitening occurs in 1-2 hours. If one treatment is not enough, the product is applied a second time.

Features of applying protective compounds

It is necessary to apply antiseptics and other complex means observing some subtleties:

1. It is easier to process the elements before assembly, so the most inaccessible elements will be protected, especially for shelves with complex closed structures.
2. If you are afraid to process the surface of the shelf, then only the internal structure is covered with protective equipment during assembly. The surface is simply sanded and polished.
3. All work is carried out in the summer, when the air is dry and it will be easier to dry the steam room.
4. You can use the treated shelf after 3-4 days, after complete drying.
5. It is not recommended to use various stains, drying oil and other chemical compounds.
6. You should not buy little-known formulations at a low price, the result can be hazardous to health.

If you use proven compositions, and do the work efficiently, then the shelves in the bath will last a long time. And its strength and beautiful appearance will be an adornment of any steam room in the bath.

How to make floors in a steam bath

When a private bath is being built or overhauled, the floors in the steam room require special attention.
Floors must be durable, heat-resistant and slightly susceptible to moisture. Otherwise, they will quickly become unusable and will have to be completely replaced.

Necessary properties of the floor in the steam room

An independent floor device in a steam bath requires compliance with basic rules. According to standard technological characteristics, the floors in the bath in the steam room and sink should have the following properties:

• trouble-free disposal of used water;
• the ability to maintain temperature for a long time;
• cleaning without much effort and the use of expensive household chemicals.

On a note! It is very important that the floors in the steam room do not create discomfort for vacationers.

Cold and slippery surfaces that are walked on with bare feet will spoil all the pleasure of bath procedures. In addition, it is unsafe for health. Therefore, you need to carefully select the material and properly equip the floors in the steam bath; what materials are better to use, how to carry out all the necessary work, how to care for the finished floor in order to increase its service life - these and some other important issues will be covered in the proposed material.

What materials are needed

If you are going to make the floors in the bath in the steam room with your own hands, you need to carefully study the laying technology and prepare everything you need. Regardless of the design of the floor and the planned finish coating, preparatory work will first need to be carried out. To carry them out, you will need the following materials:

• concrete screed components - cement, sand, gravel;
• reinforcing mesh;
• roll waterproofing - roofing material and / or polyethylene;
• insulation;
• wooden beam with a section of 30 by 50 mm, 70 by 100 mm and / or 50 by 80 mm, depending on the design of the floor and the planned finishing coating;
• a board with a tongue and groove with a tongue-and-groove lock - for non-leaking floors;
• flat board - for leaking floors;
• outlet pipes for waste water;
• siphon and grate for arranging a drain;
• antiseptic and other solutions for pre-treatment of wood;
• brick;
• asbestos-concrete pipes.

For work, you need to prepare the following tools and devices:

• tank for mixing the solution;
• construction mixer;
• scales and/or measuring container;
• wire cutters;
• tape measure, plumb line, level;
• a hammer;
• technical knife;
• plane;
• grinder;
• sledgehammer;
• puncher or electric drill;
• hard brush.

Preparing the base for the floor in the steam room

When a decision is made which floor in the steam bath is planned to be made, the installation of the base for it begins. At the same time, it must be remembered that it is necessary to correctly calculate the angle of inclination of the surface for the flow of water falling onto the floor. On the Internet, you can find ready-made tables and other calculation materials for the correct manufacture of the floor structure.

After designing and manufacturing the base, it is necessary to install a pipe for draining waste water and select the location of the drain hole. It can be arranged in the center of the room or against the wall. When placing a drain hole in the corner of the steam room, a special groove is mounted to it along the wall.

The most popular materials for arranging floors are concrete or board. They can be used both individually and in combination. If a light frame bath is being designed, the floor in the steam room can be made of tongue-and-groove boards or beams.

On a note! It is easier to equip a combined floor made of wood and concrete, it turns out to be especially strong, comfortable and durable.

How to make a concrete floor in a steam room

At the stage of arranging the foundation, it is necessary to install a drain pipe for waste water under a slope. A pit is set up for the first end. The second end is passed through the side wall and brought to the septic tank, cesspool or sewer system.

The pit for the drain pipe is lined with bricks or poured with concrete. For the latter option, you must first mount the formwork. It is built from improvised material. You can use used, but still quite strong old boards or boards.

When the installation is completed, the pit is covered with soil from the outside to about 2/3 of the height. The pipe must be filled completely. The soil needs to be leveled and compacted.

Further, under the slope, a gravel cushion is laid out from the pit to the wall. Here the layer of bulk material must be made 2 times thicker. The pillow must be leveled and a reinforcing mesh placed over it to maintain the slope angle.

Now you need to make the floor insulation in the bath in the steam room. To do this, a hard insulation flooring is laid on top of the mesh. You can use sheets of extruded polystyrene foam. Before pouring a finishing concrete layer, a reinforcing mesh is placed on the sheets and a rolled waterproofing agent is spread.

In another option, a rough concrete screed with insulating additives is poured. For example, a crumb of polystyrene foam. The required thickness of the screed is from 3 to 5 cm. After the technological drying of the concrete, a reinforcing mesh is laid on it.

The final screed is poured strictly along the beacons to a thickness of at least 3 cm. It is advisable to use a ready-made mortar or mortar with the addition of microfiber for it. This will increase the moisture resistance and strength of the material.

The finished screed for protection against moisture can be covered with liquid glass or liquid rubber. Another option is ceramic tiles. In this case, all seams must be treated with special compounds for tightness.

The drain hole is protected by a removable filter grid. This will protect against the ingress of debris and random objects. Subsequently, the filter will need to be periodically removed for thorough cleaning.

The finished floor is made from boards pre-treated with special compounds. They are laid, leaving technological gaps for the free flow of used water.

On a note! It is better to make the plank covering removable. This will allow you to freely remove it and lay it again after drying, cleaning and minor repairs.

Accidentally damaged elements will be easy to replace.

The floor in the steam room, insulated from the outside

To make an insulated floor in a steam bath, you first need to lay a pillow of compacted soil. This will keep the foundation intact. The drainage layer over the clay is poured from a mixture of sand and fine-grained bulk material - gravel, crushed stone, pebbles.

A drainage pit for waste water is formed in the center. It must be deepened and covered with a drainage mixture.

Logs for a wooden floor are made of asbestos concrete pipes. With their help, free air circulation in the underground space is also ensured. The final coating is made from boards laid in increments of 5 to 7 mm for the free removal of used water.

Floor without rough concrete screed

The floor of this design is laid directly on a strip or column foundation. The free space between the elements of the base of the building is filled with a solution of rough concrete. Instead, you can use a compacted soil cushion.

In the center of the steam room, it is necessary to build a tray by connecting it to the sewer pipe. This will make it easier to drain the waste water. For the manufacture of the tray, you can use boards or plastic. The base for it is one of the supporting elements of the foundation. A waterproofing layer must be laid under the tray.

The floor covering is made of densely laid boards. The slope created in the process of arranging the floor ensures that the waste water flows directly into the tray and then into the sewer pipe.

Horizontal floor in the steam room

In this embodiment, the finishing floor in the steam room in a wooden bath is laid horizontally. The drain structure is arranged in the free space between the rough screed and the finishing coating.

This design allows you to free the floors from the used water in the bath in the steam room and in the sink. To do this, the drain hole is arranged under the floor in the washing room.

The formation of the floor pie begins with the laying of the subfloor from the board. Then the lags are laid. A pillow of bulk material is poured into the free space between them. In this case, it is necessary to form a funnel for the passage of water. It is located under the future drain hole. A drain pipe is connected to the funnel from below.

Instead of a pillow, you can make a rough concrete screed, in which insulation is added. At the same time, the logs must be treated with an antiseptic and waterproofed.

How to insulate a wooden floor in a steam room

The arrangement of an insulated floor without a rough concrete screed begins during the construction of the foundation. For a non-leaking floor, sewer pipes must be installed at this stage.

The upper level of the subfloor must be raised above the soil level by 40-60 cm. This is ensured by the installation of brick columns and / or walls. Logs (floor beams) are laid on them.

The next step is waterproofing. These works are carried out after the walls are fully erected. First you need to firmly compact the soil in the free space of the foundation. After that, a roll waterproofer is laid. It is best to use ruberoid.

Now you can lay the logs and transverse bars for the subfloor. They have a rough boardwalk. A rolled vapor barrier is spread over it.

Next, mats or slabs of insulating material are laid - mineral wool, polystyrene foam, etc. On top of the insulation - a sheet of waterproofing. If the material is laid in pieces, it is necessary to make an overlap of 20 cm wide. All technological seams are protected with moisture-resistant tape.

The drain pipe is carefully guided through all layers of the floor cake and rises above the top edge of the insulation. Around it, a crate is made of a board with a thickness of at least 15 cm.

When laying plank flooring, its level along the walls must be raised. For this, a beam with a thickness of 3 to 5 cm is used. This will form the necessary slope in the form of a funnel. So the water will be discharged to the drain hole. It is better to place it in the center of the steam room.

Instead of a drain hole, you can use a special tray installed along the wall or in the center of the steam room. In the first case, the floor is raised against the opposite wall so that water flows freely to the tray. In the second case, the floorboards are lifted along two walls parallel to the tray.

Finished floor laying

On the finished base, you can lay a finishing coating. Pre-boards are treated with special compounds to protect against microorganisms and mold.

The cover is applied tightly. It is better to use tongue-and-groove boards with a tongue-and-groove lock. As a result, a smooth, even surface is formed without gaps, cracks, etc. A plinth is installed along the walls. Over the drain hole - a removable crate. Important! All technological gaps around the drain must be filled with sealant and additionally treated with a compound to increase moisture resistance.

Disposal of used water

In the absence of a sewer line to drain waste water, it is necessary to equip a drainage well, gutter or pit. For a drainage well, you need to dig a hole. Its depth should be twice the level of soil freezing in the coldest season. For a small family bath, a drainage well measuring 90 by 90 or 100 by 100 cm will suffice.

At the bottom of the well, you need to fill up a pillow of loose material with a thickness of about 0.5 meters. You can use expanded clay, crushed stone, broken brick or fine gravel. The input for the drainage pipe is arranged 20-30 cm below the ground level.

The installation of a floor in a steam frame bath or a bath of a different design requires special attention, accuracy and careful observance of all technologies. Read more about how to make floors in a steam bath, which ones are better - in the video offered for viewing.

Wooden floors in a log or log house are not only beautiful, but also environmentally friendly, they create a special flavor and a healthy microclimate in the room. However, everyone who installs wood floors should understand that this material needs protection and care. It is necessary to carry out wood processing in a timely manner with special means, otherwise the coating will soon lose its appearance, fade and rub off. In addition, untreated wood can become moldy, pests can appear in it, which will lead to very unpleasant consequences. In this regard, the question arises of how to process wooden floors in the house. You will find the answer to it in this article.

To cover a wooden floor in a house made of timber and logs, you can use:

1. Antiseptic. Antiseptic impregnations perform a protective function, they protect the tree from biological damage by fungus, mold and microorganisms. Details about the types and use of antiseptic compounds can be found in the article:.
2. Varnish. Traditionally, wooden floors are varnished, which is both decorative and protective. The lacquer looks very advantageous on wood, creating a transparent or tinted film on the surface, under which all the patterns of the wood pattern are visible. About that, it is described in the article of the same name.
3. Paint. Paints are used when it is necessary to completely cover the wooden structure. Coating dyes form a monolithic layer that hides all the flaws and defects of the wood. In the article you will learn the details and nuances of painting a wood floor.
4. Butter.
5. Wax.
6. Mastic.

In this review, we will look at oils, waxes and floor mastics.

Oil and wax for flooring

Oil formulations do not form a film. They are absorbed into the structure, filling the pores of the wood, and not allowing dust and moisture to penetrate inside. This increases the durability of the floors.

Wax is a natural material based on beeswax. It forms a strong outer layer, eliminates scratches, protects the floor and gives it a spectacular appearance. Waxes are colorless and colored with a matte or glossy sheen. They can be used as a stand-alone coating, as well as applied over oil.

Benefits of Using Oil

1. The floor acquires antistatic properties.
2. The surface becomes warmer and does not slip.
3. Less noticeable chips, scratches and other damage.
4. Wood protection is provided.
5. Oil does not interfere with air exchange processes.

disadvantages

1. Before oiling a floor, more thorough surface preparation is needed than before applying paint and varnish.
2. The coating gets dirty faster.
3. Regular floor maintenance is required.
4. The oil reacts with metal objects and dark spots form on the surface.

Types of oils

1. Wax oils. They are a mixture of oils and liquid wax. The surface covered with such a composition acquires a soft matte sheen.
2. Resin-free oil. 90% consists of a natural component, in some brands the amount of oils reaches 99%. Due to the absence of a solvent, the process of applying the product is facilitated, drying is much faster.
3. Oil with a high solids content. Due to the resins, the agent has a high density, which increases the service life of the coating.

On sale there are both colorless and colored oils. The former are suitable for processing any type of wood. Dark compositions cover oak and exotic species. Bleaching agents are used for light wood.

Before covering the floor with oil, it is necessary to carefully prepare the surface. The preparatory stage includes grinding, polishing and dust removal.

Oil can be applied in two ways: cold and hot.

cold way

1. The first layer of oil is applied and evenly distributed over the floor surface. Excess should be removed with a soft cloth within a few minutes of application.
2. The surface is polished with a special machine with a round nozzle (pad).
3. All wet areas are wiped with a cotton rag.
4. After 6-12 hours, a second layer of oil is applied.
5. Excess oil is removed with a black or green pad, and then the floor is polished with a red circle.

The surface covered with oil dries completely in one to two weeks, only after that the floor can be walked on.

hot way

1. Having decided to use this method, it is necessary to preheat the oil to a temperature of 80 degrees. Heating is carried out in a water bath.
2. Heated oil can only be applied to a warm floor. If it is cold, the composition may not be absorbed. The floor is heated with a thermopad.
3. The oil is applied with a spatula and evenly distributed over the surface of the floor.
4. Then a beige pad is put on the polishing machine, and the oil is rubbed into the floor until it is completely absorbed.
5. After 2-2.5 hours, a second layer of oil is applied in the same way.

Waxing

1. The wax coating can be applied two days after the floor has been treated with oil.
2. Wax is rubbed into the floor with a soft cloth in a circular motion. For polishing use a polishing machine with a white pad.
3. After the first layer has dried (not earlier than after 3 hours), the second one is applied and the procedure is repeated.
4. The floor can be used in about a week.

Mastics for flooring

Mastic is an excellent decorative agent for wooden floors of log cabins and parquet. It forms a glossy film on the surface, which protects the coating from mechanical damage.

Types of mastics

Mastic can be bought ready-made or in soluble form. The first can be used immediately after opening the package. The second requires dilution with hot water to the desired consistency.

Mastics are:

1. Hot. Their basis is bitumen or a mixture of bitumen with rubber. Before use, the composition is heated to a temperature of 170 degrees, and then applied to the surface. Hot mastics, as a rule, are applied to processing of piece panels of a parquet floor. The advantages of this tool are fast hardening, the floor can be used almost immediately. However, the application of the composition is complex, requires a special place for heating and a certain experience.
2. Cold. The basis of the product is white spirit, gasoline or other solvents. The mastic is easy to apply, but takes a long time to dry. The floor can be used 2-3 days after treatment, when the solvent has completely evaporated, and a strong protective film remains on the floor.

Classification of mastics by composition

1. Wax. Their basis is wax, the composition also contains solvents and various additives. Suitable for all wood species. Mastic gives the surface shine, and also has protective properties.
2. Water emulsion. They are a universal option, since they have no restrictions on use. Available in the form of a paste and liquid, there are also solid products. The composition contains active ingredients designed to protect and clean the floor.
3. Water soluble. Mastics of this class are diluted with water to a certain consistency. They can only be used on those species that tolerate moisture well, such as oak. Not recommended for birch and beech wood. But if you make a thicker consistency, restrictions on many breeds are removed. One layer of mastic is applied to the new parquet, two layers to the old one.
4. Based on turpentine. Mastic well protects the tree from moisture. Perfect for birch and beech parquet. However, it has a fairly high cost and is rarely found on sale.

Mastic application technology

Before you treat the floor with mastic, you must thoroughly clean the surface: remove dirt and dust. It is especially important to prepare the floor well before applying water-based formulations. It is advisable to carry out a wet cleaning, and after drying, rub with a cloth to a shine.

Features of applying different types of mastic:

1. Water-soluble mastic must first be diluted with water according to the manufacturer's instructions. It turns out to be a liquid consistency, so it is convenient to apply it with a roller, leveling it as much as possible over the surface. It will take 4-5 hours for the composition to dry completely. After that, you need to remove the remnants of the product and leave to dry for another 2-3 hours. Then, by analogy with the first, another layer of mastic is applied.
2. Water-based mastic is quickly absorbed, you can limit yourself to one layer. If there is a need, then after an hour you can apply a second layer, and after it dries, proceed to rubbing. To do this, you can use flannel or cotton fabric.
3. Wax mastic is thicker, it is best to work the floor with a brush or brush, and then level it with a roller. The remains of the product must be removed immediately with a dry brush, otherwise an uneven surface will result. The second layer is applied no earlier than five hours later. For polishing, a soft cloth or special brushes are used.
4. Turpentine mastic must be applied in two layers with a brush or roller. After complete drying of both layers, the surface is polished with brushes. The product can cause severe burns, so gloves must be worn when working with it.

Conclusion

Processing the wooden floor of a log house or bath is a job that requires certain skills. To obtain a high-quality and beautiful coating, it is necessary to choose the right product and adhere to the recommended application technology. If the technological process is violated, the coating may turn out to be uneven and sloppy.

The company "Master Srubov" guarantees you an excellent result. We have professionals who know all the nuances of this work. We will select a product that matches the type of wood from which your floor is made, as well as your wishes for the appearance of the coating. If necessary, we will carry out repair work, replace unusable boards and parquet elements.

You can make an application for a free visit of a specialist to inspect the scope of work, you can use the coordinates on the page.

Due to the fact that wood is a natural material with a porous structure, it can serve as a humidity regulator in the bathroom. At a high level of moisture in the atmosphere, it will absorb it, and at a low level, it will give it back. But in order for such a natural regulator to work properly, the wooden floor in the bathroom must be treated with special means. Otherwise, dampness and fungus will appear. Let's consider this question in more detail.

Despite the tendency to damage by microorganisms, natural is characterized by a number of attractive properties for any owner:

• Excellent appearance;
• Warm atmosphere of comfort;
• Natural purity of wood material.

Wood is a very environmentally friendly material that can bring a note of comfort to any interior.

Therefore, the only question is to choose the right type of wood. Moisture resistant wood is required for the arrangement. The best options here are:

1. Teak. Teak wood is widely known for its unique characteristics. This is a beautiful texture, grainy texture, as well as absolute moisture resistance. If the longitudinal veins at the joints are treated with sealant, then even ceramic tiles can envy resistance to moisture. The only disadvantage of this breed is its high cost. For the tree grows in South Asian latitudes.
2. Larch. This domestic breed is practically not inferior to the previous version, since the high resin content prevents the penetration of moisture. Perhaps it is somewhat less beautiful, but this is offset by a more adequate cost.
3. Thermotree. If the wood is treated with steam, it is possible to obtain a moisture-resistant and attractive coating. It is necessary to specifically choose the option designed for the bathroom, since it will already come complete with structural elements.

Preparatory stage

The work is aimed at protecting the wooden floor from the harmful effects of moisture. They start from the installation stage.

Advice. When carrying out waterproofing work in the bathroom, it is recommended to lower the flooring level below the average for the house, and equip a decorative threshold. This will delay the leakage of water in case of force majeure.

At the first stage of arranging waterproofing, the wooden base is thoroughly cleaned of debris. Then impregnation with antiseptic compounds is carried out to protect the tree from mold.

In order for a wooden floor to please its owners for a long time, careful care is needed for it.

Waterproofing methods

Often, craftsmen use one of three technologies: coating, painting, and pasting. Consider how to properly protect the wooden floor in the bathroom in each of these ways.

• Coating. This technique is characterized by the simplicity of the process and excellent water-repellent qualities. Despite the fact that the solution can be prepared independently, ready-made mastics are often used. The bituminous mixture is applied to the rock surface in a dense layer (2 kg/m²) using a roller and a brush. The walls below are also treated with bituminous mastic, forming a protective "trough". The procedure is repeated twice, with an interval of several hours.

Attention! The second layer must be applied perpendicular to the previous one.

There are several different ways to protect a wood floor.

Then the bathroom is left to dry for a day.

• Painting. This technology is considered more accessible to the consumer, but is short-lived. The painting technique guarantees the protection of the wooden surface for only 3-4 years. The paint mixture (as a rule, bitumen-polymer) is also applied using a roller. However, it involves not two, but three stages, which are stretched out in time. If between the first staining procedure and the second it takes three days of drying, then between the second and third - about a week. This is necessary to restore the natural properties of wood after impregnation. In order for the wooden floor to be reliably isolated from moisture, you can also use a safety net. Namely - to purchase soft linoleum.
• Pasting. This technology involves the laying of multi-layer waterproofing. The use of rolled and various sheet materials is necessary to create a moisture-resistant carpet. Moreover, all work is carried out at high temperatures.

Attention! The thermal regime is the main condition for the application of this technique. Therefore, work should be trusted exclusively to professionals with tools and many years of experience.

For reliable gluing of such a carpet to a wooden surface, bituminous mastic is used. It should be applied in a fairly thin layer over the entire plane (about 1.5 mm), after which rolls of bitumen-polymer materials can be rolled out. This procedure is carried out as many times as necessary to achieve the desired effect. After that, the edges of the bituminous material are treated with a polymer putty.

Proper care of wood flooring is the key to its long service life.

There are many ways to protect wood from moisture. This is the use of various oils, waxes and varnishes. However, all of them are not suitable for use in the bathroom, as they violate the natural hygroscopicity of the material. Wood simply ceases to regulate the level of humidity in the room. Therefore, it is recommended to deal with high humidity by other methods. Arrange good ventilation, purchase a thermohygrometer. Constant monitoring of moisture indicators at different times of the day and year will allow you to determine the optimal microclimate in the room.

Thanks to the use of modern technologies for processing natural materials, a wooden floor is easy to imagine even in difficult bathroom conditions. The main thing is to choose the right type of wood, and then the bituminous solution of protective mastic.

Video: Processing a wooden floor in the bathroom

By choosing wood as a flooring finish, homeowners are looking to add coziness and comfort to their home interiors.

Eco-friendly, natural and very warm material is very pleasant and easy to use, but rather capricious in processing.

Choosing the quality and texture of wood coating, preserving all its properties, but adding strength and resistance to external influences to the material is not an easy task. Consider how to cover a wooden floor, depending on the flooring area. What properties will different types of coatings add to wood?

Properties of coating materials

Wood flooring must be covered with a protective compound

Floorboards, parquet or plywood should not be left unfinished. There are various impregnations and coating materials that add strength to wood. The whole range of materials is designed to protect wood from:

• exposure to high humidity;
• insects, mold and rot;
• drying out under the action of UV rays;
• rapid aging.

Of course, not all these qualities are combined in the coating in different proportions, therefore, depending on the place of flooring, it is worth choosing a wood processing material.

In addition, modern interior designers use a little less than a hundred different types of wood in their work, which have distinctive performance properties and require different care.

Wood: pros and cons

The tree is environmentally friendly and has good thermal insulation properties.

What types of coatings exist and what qualities do they add to wood? Let's define the natural advantages and disadvantages of natural material.

When installing a homemade wooden floor in a room, the owner must understand what qualities the floor will have and what they will have to face.

Among the advantages of this material are excellent thermal insulation properties, sufficient strength, ease of repair and environmental friendliness.

The disadvantages include:

When choosing a material for processing wood flooring, you should give preference to the type of coating that will strengthen the weaknesses, while maintaining the natural texture and environmental friendliness.

Types of coating materials

Protective compounds not only cover the wood with a stable film, but also show the texture, give shine

Any tree is exposed to the external environment and has the above disadvantages to a greater or lesser extent.

To strengthen wood, give it additional strength, preserve the natural texture and shade, use one of the following materials based on natural and synthetic substances:

• butter;
• paint;
• wax.

A well-chosen coating material will enhance the natural properties of wood, adding strength to its operational characteristics.

With the help of proper processing from ordinary pine or birch boards, you can create the look of an expensive wooden coating in mahogany or wenge.

How to cover the wooden floor in the house, you should choose depending on the purpose of the room.

Coating material	Advantages	Can not use
varnish	protects wood from fungi and microorganisms	On a tree previously treated with drying oil or oil; In rooms with high humidity; In open street buildings: gazebos, verandas
Butter	increases the wear resistance and durability of wood	In rooms with fluctuations in humidity and temperature levels; On the floor in an underfloor heating system
Dye	increases the period of operation of the tree at times, protects against biological factors	With no restrictions
Wax	used for finishing coating after processing with other materials	In rooms with a high possibility of mechanical damage

When choosing how to cover the finishing wooden floor, carefully study the properties of the coating.

Varnishes and paints

The chemical composition of varnishes for wood coatings includes natural resins or synthetic polymer compounds.

Thanks to this composition, varnishes create a hard protective film on the surface of the wood, protecting the material from fungus, insects and moisture.

At the same time, the varnish retains the texture and enhances the brightness of wood shades. The basis for the formation of the varnish composition determines the quality of the solvent. For different types of varnish are used:

Depending on the solvent, the time to reach maximum strength for varnishes is different. This process takes place most quickly with alcohol varnishes.

The surface, opened with such a varnish, is ready for use immediately after the coating has completely dried, which has gained maximum strength.

Water-based varnish gains strength within 10 days, it is not worth exploiting such a floor earlier, the coating will lose its gloss and evenness.

There is a misconception that water-dispersion varnishes are inferior to others in terms of coating strength. After complete drying, the layer of such varnish is not only not inferior, but often surpasses other types in strength.

Paint is easy to apply by hand

Wood paint has the same properties as varnishes, with one difference - this type of coating is opaque.

The most commonly used acrylic and alkyd coatings. The advantages of paint for wood include:

• ease of coating
• ease of maintenance of the treated surface,
• budget,
• long service life of the coating.

Among the minuses, there is only one property: the paint hides the natural beauty of the wood, and the material looks rather unaesthetically. For more information on how to paint the floor in a wooden house, see this video:

Oil and wax

The oil forms a strong film without changing the color of the coating.

Oil coating has historically been used for wooden surfaces. Modern oil varnishes are made on the basis of vegetable oils and synthetic polyurethane polymers.

Such a covering layer perfectly preserves the tree, making it resistant to external factors. The layer of such a coating can be absolutely transparent, preserving and enhancing the color and texture of wood. At the same time, oil makes it possible to add a shade to the tree, while maintaining texture.

Depending on the concentration of oil in the varnish, the degree of penetration of the varnish into the wood will be different: the less oil in the composition, the deeper the solution will penetrate. The treated surfaces become wear-resistant and durable. If natural vegetable oil was used in the processing of wood, then the surface is treated with wax to fix the effect.

Usually, a composition is prepared from beeswax, flax oil and some additives. The waxed floor has increased resistance to moisture, but is completely defenseless against physical influences. At the same time, wax enhances the textural appeal of wood, and is used to enhance the effect in woody floor compositions. Rarely used as a protective layer. For information on how to properly oil the floors, see this video:

Wooden floors are perfect for creating any style of interior. With the right coating, wood will fill the house with comfort and warmth, delighting the owners with exquisite beauty and uniqueness.