Which moisture-resistant wood is suitable for the bathroom and floor? Which breeds are suitable - Review

Coniferous wood: pine, spruce and fir

Pine, spruce and fir wood has gained popularity due to its low cost.
If funds allow, it is better to focus on other breeds. Coniferous wood is used in rooms where it is not customary to wear shoes. Solid boards and parquet are produced from it (it is important that the elements have a tongue-and-groove joint), and it is also used to produce different layers of parquet boards

The properties of coniferous wood are far from ideal, so their scope of use is very limited:

• pine is distinguished by the presence of a large amount of resin, which protects the wood from rotting, has an excellent appearance, has high vapor permeability and releases phytoncides into the air, which is a natural antiseptic. The main disadvantage is low hardness, so even the legs of more or less heavy furniture may leave marks. Can be used in bedrooms and living rooms;
• spruce is even less durable than pine, therefore it is used extremely rarely for the production of floor coverings;
• fir is inexpensive, has a pleasant appearance, has healing properties, does not emit resin and does not “cry” at high temperatures, but is afraid of moisture and has low strength. We do not recommend using fir as a flooring material.

Owners design many individual houses without summer open verandas for practical reasons. You want to relax on the veranda in comfort: walk on the floor barefoot, lean on the railing at a comfortable temperature, and it is desirable that the structure be light so that the breeze can blow through.

Of course, I want a veranda made of wood. But when you think about what will happen to her after winter, doubts begin to arise. It will be covered with snow and leaves, get wet from the water and rot, bugs and spiders will successfully overwinter in the pieces of wood, gnaw them, and leave offspring. What can we say about gazebos, which are even less protected from the influence of the external environment - they are open to all winds. And another excellent and desirable thing for many in the garden is an open terrace, on which you can walk barefoot and not get your feet hurt, on which you can take out summer furniture, sun loungers, arrange dances on it, children’s performances, and even make a parking area - why? No? Everything is more environmentally friendly than concrete. Despite doubts, there will be a veranda, a gazebo, and a terrace! You just need to choose a tree that is not afraid of anything. It should be non-slip even when wet, frost and moisture resistant, durable, and therefore resistant to abrasion. Tropical exotic All tree species are divided into classes depending on their resistance to environmental influences. The lower the class, the stronger and more durable the tree. The first and second classes include tropical species - trees grow in conditions of high humidity, and therefore are resistant to it. Teak, mahogany, bangkirai and garapu, ipe and jatoba (in Russian, Brazil nut and cherry) - many unusual and exotic names for us. But be prepared for the fact that exotic things are always expensive. The price per square meter of decking boards made of tropical wood starts from 3–3.5 thousand rubles.

Tuned pine Pine is a traditional budget option. Considering that wood belongs to the category of soft species, it is highly susceptible to mechanical damage, abrasion and rotting; in addition, it turns gray and cracks over time. To bring pine or spruce closer to species with high classes of resistance to the external environment, the wood will be improved. There are two options: heat treatment or treatment with chemical compounds. Pine treated with a chemical composition with preservatives becomes unattractive to insects, its service life increases, and the tree is therefore more resistant to mold and more protected from moisture. Nevertheless, soft wood is soft. Special impregnation does not exclude the tendency of pine to abrasion, cracking and mechanical damage; the ability to absorb moisture with preservatives cannot be completely excluded. Approximately once a year the chemical impregnation needs to be renewed. Thermal treatment of pine occurs in a vacuum at high temperatures. After such a process, the tree acquires strength, but, unfortunately, it also becomes fragile at the same time. This means that installation difficulties may arise. If you accidentally drop something on thermal wood, a piece may simply break off. In general, heat treatment extends the life of the wood, protects it from insects and makes it less susceptible to rotting. And of course, it significantly increases the price.

Siberian hardened Alternatives to tropical woods that are worthy of strength in terms of strength are Siberian larch and oak. Larch grows for a very long time, so the annual rings are located very close to each other, due to this the tree has high density and strength, the wood is resistant to mechanical damage. There are two more important features. Firstly, over time, larch products become stronger, and not vice versa. And secondly, when in contact with dampness and water, larch does not rot like any other wood, it turns to stone - the huge amount of resin and gum contained in this rock turns into stone, just as resin turns into amber. Larch is also not eaten by insects (various types of bark beetles and wood borers) due to the characteristics of the resin. A pleasant fact is that a larch terrace or floor does not need to be treated with chemical protective compounds. At most, you can coat the wood with simple natural linseed oil to reveal the color texture and provide additional protection. The strength of oak is comparable to that of larch. Wood also does not require a mandatory protective coating. The only negative is the high price, which is associated with difficulties during processing.

An alternative to wood As an alternative to wood, a board made of wood-polymer composite (WPC) has recently been used; simply put, it is sawdust mixed with plastic. It looks like a tree, but you certainly can't plant a splinter. WPC is not afraid of moisture, insects, and is resistant to atmospheric conditions, but, alas, it is no longer natural. A high-quality one is more expensive than wood, a cheaper one is one that contains more sawdust and less plastic, and this threatens destruction due to temperature changes, although manufacturers convince otherwise. The peculiarity of WPC boards is that installation requires a lot of special fittings, including elements covering the ends - they do not look very aesthetically pleasing, since composite boards are hollow inside. Additional fittings increase the cost of a WPC terrace.

Installation Keep in mind that installing a deck or floor in a gazebo or veranda is a costly procedure that requires fittings and labor.
Therefore, the choice of fasteners is also a question. There are special bolts and hidden fasteners on the market. If you choose hidden ones, try to choose those that require fewer additional bolts - this is also an expense. Hidden fastenings will cost 300–400 rubles per 1 sq.m. Special bolts are cheaper by 100 rubles per sq.m., but they will be visible. Work on installing terraces costs on average 400–500 rubles per sq.m. Vladimir Bespalov
General Director of First Sawmill LLC 8–800–250–70–33 (free call from any region of Russia) 8 (8412) 64–55–15, 8 (8412) 64–56–14 pIkom.com

Material selection

We inherited a wooden bathtub from distant forefathers, who used small containers made of this durable, ubiquitous, but inexpensive material for washing. They made simple “tubs” with their own hands from bars held together with a metal strip. Through experience, they came to the conclusion that it is possible to make a durable bathtub only from moisture-resistant wood species that do not rot. Therefore, until now, wooden bathtubs are made only from the following types of wood:

• Teak. This type of wood is considered the most valuable species in the world, as it has unique biostability, making it resistant to water, fungus or insects. In addition to these beneficial qualities, it has a rich texture, a pleasant aroma and a pleasant honey color.
• Wenge. Wenge wood is valued for its dark, rich color, interesting structure and resistance to water and fungus. This type of wood is often used to make a DIY bathtub.
• Mahogany. Mahogany wood has long been considered the best material for making floors, as it does not rot. Mahogany is considered a rare and valuable breed, which is used because of its beautiful red hue and high resistance to moisture.
• Larch. Larch is a dense, durable wood with a characteristic structure that has a low moisture absorption coefficient, which is why it is used as a material for making bathtubs.
• Cedar. The structure of cedar wood prevents moisture absorption, cracking, and rotting. It is valued for its pleasant light color, bactericidal and medicinal properties.

What modern materials can be placed on wood in the bathroom?

There are not many options for flooring that can be used in the humid atmosphere of a bathroom, since material manufacturers focus primarily on concrete bases, which are the most common in modern house construction.

If you exclude the most extreme method of dismantling the wooden floor, boards and joists, you can put a covering on the floor in three basic versions:

• Screed the wooden bathroom floors and lay tiles;
• Lay waterproof laminate or linoleum;
• Leave the old plank version as the subfloor of the bathroom, on top of which lay a wooden panel made of moisture-resistant wood.

Style directions

First of all, wooden sinks can emphasize the style of rooms focused on natural wood.

Wood goes well with any other materials, so items from:

• glass;
• natural stone;
• metal

Designers' favorite styles for incorporating wood sinks into interiors.

• Country;
• Eco;
• Ethno.
• The rustic design motif will sparkle with new colors if you add a wooden washstand decorated with carvings to the “Russian hut” or American country style.
• Stylish wooden sinks will decorate the style of the chalet, giving it nobility without interrupting the natural environment.

• Rough wood will add brutality to the rustic style, especially in combination with untreated stone.
• The delicacy of Provence will be emphasized by a bleached oak sink and a forged ornament with patina or gilding.
• The eco style will be complemented by a natural element, which is not abundant in such an interior. The eco-style sink cabinet can be made of natural or artificial rattan.
• But refined classics are no strangers to the unusual manifestation of the shapes and textures of wooden sinks. Clear geometric shapes and shining varnish on noble wood will look truly luxurious and respectable.
• But for ultra-modern styles, it is better to choose a different material, closer to artificial raw materials and the latest technologies.

Popular models

Unique Wood Design

The following brands were among the first to create wooden plumbing fixtures:

• Unique Wood Design (Poland). The company's history began with the construction of yachts and rowing boats. Subsequently, the experience of working with wood was used to create bathroom equipment. The “Classic” collection consists of the usual oval, smoothly rounded bathtubs and washbasins. The Tlon line, which includes rectangular and square sinks, is designed for modern interiors.
• Ammonitum (Switzerland). A characteristic feature of all models is the deliberately striped pattern of the wooden surface. It resembles the spiral shell of the ancient ammonite mollusk after which the brand is named. The most recognizable washbasin models are Conos, Taurus, Bootes, Vela.
• A Legna (Switzerland). The Laguna Pure collection features wooden sinks in rectangular and round shapes. The pattern of tree rings is arranged in such a way that the sinks resemble blooming tropical flowers.

White acacia

This tree has wood that in our country is considered one of the hardest. Attractive texture, rich color, excellent strength, highest hardness, remarkable resistance to rotting - these are the distinctive features of this wood. In addition, it is very easy to polish. Acacia wood is used for the production of furniture and parquet.

It is also called “Brazilian cherry”, but has nothing to do with the “cherry” genus. The tree with high hardness has a wide crown and grows up to forty meters in length.

The wood of this tree, which grows in Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia, is difficult to work with, but polishes well. Also, sucupira wood is not susceptible to fungi and various pests. Among the trees with durable and hard wood, one can also distinguish ebony, rosewood, and kumara. All these trees sink easily in water and have rot-resistant bark. This means that you won’t be able to make a boat from their wood, but you can make beautiful furniture.

The most durable trees in the world

Today, the hardness of wood is determined using several methods. There are ratings of all trees by density. Based on hardness, they determine where and what kind of wood to use.

The hardest woods

Based on the hardness data obtained, a list of the hardest trees has been compiled. It included white acacia

. This tree grows in large quantities in Europe, where it came from North America.

Brazilian cherry

, scientifically called jatoba

, is in second place in terms of hardness. It should be noted that this tree has nothing in common with plants of the “cherry” genus. Sucupira grows in South America. Its wood is not only practical, but also decorative, as it has interspersed light veins that contrast with the reddish-brown wood. It is known that fungi and pests are not terrible in sucupira. Despite the fact that wood is difficult to process, it can be sanded well.

There is such a hard wood as African mutania

. The unusual thing is that its structure is similar to teak, and its color resembles walnut. In Central America there is an amaranth

, which has dense but flexible wood with a red-violet hue and a large, expressive structure. Amaranth is difficult to process and varnish, and individual accessories and expensive furniture are made from its wood.

Merbay

- another type of hardwood. It is easy to process, easy to polish and resistant to moisture. These properties make it ideal for the production of parquet and bathroom decoration. The well-known Canadian maple, growing in North America, is also called sugar maple. This solid tree is a symbol of Canada.

Yarra

- Australian eucalyptus. Due to the similarity of its wood to mahogany, the tree is also called Australian mahogany. Rosewood wood is considered hard. His homeland is Brazil. It is an indispensable material for the manufacture of musical instruments and furniture for presentable objects.

Next on the list is ash.

with very hard wood, followed by oak

, with heavy and durable wood.
It is impossible not to say about beech
.
The properties of its wood allow it to be widely used.

Type of wood used

The main condition for wood coverings is not to be exposed to moisture and temperature changes.

Thermowood

This is an original technology that produces material that is many times greater than:

• water resistance;
• resistance to rotting;
• prevents the appearance of fungus and mold;
• cannot be deformed.

Larch

Covering from larch is cheaper than from teak, but in terms of its qualities it is no worse than teak. Larch is a durable and water-resistant species. It was not without reason that it was used in shipbuilding.

You need to purchase boards that are connected according to the “groove to tongue” principle. There is also a term for such lumber: “finished floor board”. This connection will provide a strong and reliable connection.

How to highlight the bathroom design?

Accessories are a decisive element in creating an unusual interior. For a bathroom in a wooden house, different options for accessories are suitable. First of all, it is advisable to choose a style, modern or rustic classic, and choose furniture and accessories based on this.

Wood finishes pair beautifully with modern furniture. The harmonious combination of rustic simplicity of wooden finishing panels and stylish modern furniture looks very beautiful and interesting. Glass shelves and tables, a cabinet with a porcelain stoneware top, metal elements in the decor, all this goes perfectly with the wooden finish.

Attic option

Furniture made from the same wood will look good. It will create a more comfortable and homely environment. Today's market presents a lot of interesting wooden furniture that will become the highlight of the room: wicker laundry baskets, shelves and whatnots.

Any wooden furniture requires pre-treatment with protective agents. You can find already processed decor, or simply coat the furniture with varnish, enamel or primer.

This style is always in fashion

You can also purchase furniture made from sustainable wood. Oak resists moisture best. Oak furniture can last a long time in a humid environment without pre-treatment.

• When choosing a color palette to decorate a room, you should stick to the golden mean. Too many dark shades, or, conversely, an excess of flashy colors will only irritate.
• The walls and ceiling in the bathroom (only in the bathroom) can be made the same color. Or make a smooth transition from one color to another without separating the ceiling line.
• Waterproofing is a mandatory stage in finishing a bathroom in a wooden house.
• For finishing it is recommended to use several materials. For example, the lower part of the wall is decorated with plastic panels or tiles, and the upper part is decorated with lining.

Waterproofing is a mandatory stage in finishing a bathroom in a wooden house.

Suitable Bathroom Styles:

• Classic. This style is always in fashion. It is distinguished by an abundance of decorative elements, smooth flowing lines and elaborate furniture. For this style, a large full-length mirror in a thick wooden frame and wooden furniture are suitable.
• Minimalism. The opposite of the previous option. A minimum of furniture is used, and only the essentials. Clear shapes, strict lines. Calm monochromatic colors.
• Country. Warm shades and wooden furniture are used. Country is great for the bathroom due to its simplicity and elegance.
• Antique. In a wooden house, this design will look as harmonious as possible. Curtains with floral patterns and heavy fabrics, shabby wooden furniture are chosen, and pastel shades are used for decoration.
• Modern. Exquisite room design, combining clear and light lines. Repeating elements, the use of modern materials, a harmonious combination of beauty and comfort.
• High tech. The use of glass, wood and steel is implied. The style is characterized by unusual shapes and sizes.

I want to spend a lot of time in a room like this.

Oak wood - strength and luxury

Oak is the best option for making any type of flooring. This is a standard that serves to evaluate other types of wood. In terms of strength and hardness, oak is often compared to concrete. The color range of wood is wide, there are about 200 shades: from light yellow to dark brown interspersed with green and gray. Over time, oak tends to darken a little, which makes its appearance even more luxurious. The annual rings are clearly visible on the wood.

Solid boards and oak parquet can be produced with or without varnish. It all depends on personal preferences and the style of the interior: a board without varnish is an option for Scandinavian and eco-style, with varnish is for the Rococo, classic, modern style.

Main advantages of oak:

• high hardness, strength and durability, abrasion resistance, therefore oak floors are used not only in residential premises, but also in restaurants, clubs, offices and other premises with high loads;
• high resistance to fire and moisture, oak is not susceptible to rotting and the spread of fungus. Thanks to these properties, it has found application in rooms with high humidity (kitchens, baths and even baths with saunas);
• high sound insulation properties;
• excellent aesthetic qualities, beautiful natural pattern.

There is only one drawback - the high cost, but the investment pays off, because oak parquet or boards can last for decades.

Area of ​​use: residential and public premises, hallways, baths, kitchens, saunas and baths.

Comparison of the strength of wood species

Wood processing

Regardless of what kind of wood is used in the bathroom, its processing is of primary importance. Furniture, materials and accessories specifically designed for the bathroom are processed in production, and only proper care is required from you.

The most popular method is moisture-resistant varnishing. This coating serves as reliable external protection, but any damage to the surface will allow moisture to get inside. In this regard, another method - impregnation - will serve as an additional precaution.

Bathtub shape made of wood

The shape of the bathtub usually matches the character of its owner. But in any case, such a font is a kind of interior decoration, and, therefore, should be located not in a corner, but in the central part of the room and on a special pedestal or stand.

You want to plunge your whole body into such a bath-boat and, closing your eyes, float, enjoying the pleasant warmth and bliss, leaving all your problems behind.

The most commonly used forms are:

• Rook or boat. It is these floating means that in the human mind personify the connection between water and wood. By the way, it was the shipwrights who were the authors of the first fonts made from wood. In modern Italy, popular wooden bathtubs are produced by a company that was previously involved in the construction of yachts. Models of this shape are considered difficult to manufacture and expensive.
• Barrel. There are common features that unite all “barrel” type models: their sides and bottom are tightened with copper and brass hoops. Each element of the product is carefully adjusted and additionally impregnated with special compounds: this ensures the tightness of the container. The shape of a barrel-shaped model can be not only round, but also oval or similar to a tub equipped with handles. In short, a variety of variations on the barrel theme are possible. This type of font can be considered the most common.
• Rectangular. A bowl like this is less common, but not because it is less convenient. On the contrary, a rectangular bathtub resembles a conventional cast iron or steel model. Especially if the design includes an internal curved insert that supports the bather’s back. It is for this reason that the rectangular bowl is in little demand. If a person decides to be original when choosing a piece of plumbing fixtures made of wood, he wants the shape of the product to be non-standard. Although in a small bathroom the rectangular shape of the font would look better than any other.
• Ofuro. This is the name of the traditional Japanese font , which is most often made of oak, cedar or larch. The shape of ofuro is a cross between a barrel and a rectangular box. According to ancient traditions, it is made 1.4 m long, 1 meter wide and 81 cm deep. There is a special protrusion inside the structure, with which you can take a comfortable position for the body. After completing water procedures, the Japanese often use a dry barrel containing sawdust, herbs and evaporation of medicinal oils. But in this case we are talking not so much about hygiene, but about health procedures.

This is how you can take wellness treatments in an ofuro bath filled with sawdust. They say that it is not only very pleasant, but also useful

In addition to the original bowl, you can decorate your bathroom with a variety of accessories made from wood of the same species. With the help of such a simple technique, the integrity of the interior design of the room is ensured.

In general, a wooden bathtub looks great in the interior. Make sure of this by watching the video:

Ceramic tile

When choosing a traditional floor covering, such as ceramic tiles (porcelain stoneware or mosaic), you will have to face some difficulties, which, in principle, can be overcome.

Firstly, to lay the tiles you need a cement-sand screed, which provides a fixed base.

Secondly, the screed increases the load on the beam floors. For the stability of the structure, the number of beams should be increased and the pitch distance (section between the beams) reduced.

Thirdly, you need to calculate the height of the beams in the house so that in the bathroom they are installed lower than in other rooms by about 10 cm. After installing the waterproofing and subfloor, you will see that the difference is equal. But still, the height of the floor in the finished bathroom should be 2 cm lower than the floor covering in other rooms.

The advantages of such flooring are resistance to impacts and scratches, durability of the material and ease of maintenance.

In addition, the finishing material has a low coefficient of moisture absorption, which is most important in the bathroom

Moisture-resistant laminate is a good choice for the bathroom. Its design can perfectly imitate a valuable type of wood, making it look rich and presentable.

Regular laminate, despite its strength, cannot be used in the bathroom - it will quickly deform and rot.

Don't forget about markings

An inexpensive and practical option with a moisture-resistant coating. To make the floor look harmonious, purchase commercial linoleum with wood imitation.

Laying such material will not take you much time, but it is still worth carrying out preliminary waterproofing.

Important points in arranging a room

In a modern bathroom, regardless of the finishing material, you cannot do without two systems:

To do this, you should equip the room with a good hood. The power of the device directly depends on the size of the bathroom - the larger it is, the higher the power.

The hood will not only dry the room, preventing it from the appearance of fungus, mold and high humidity, but will also get rid of the smell of dampness.

Wooden floors in the bathroom

Of course, you can’t do without a drainage system. In the bathroom, you need to additionally install a drain to drain water in a timely manner in case of an emergency.

To install a drain, the floor in the bathroom must be made with a slight slope (about 1.5 degrees). Water that falls on the floor is collected in a funnel in the recess and flows into the sewer.

A wisely equipped bathroom in a wooden house does not limit the choice of style and design of the room, and in the future will not bring any problems to the owner of the home.

We are under construction at our house and because of this, the room that is planned to have a bathroom is now a bedroom. My husband decided to put laminate on the floor, but the problem is that no one thought about the water resistance of the laminate. I want to ask if it is possible to make a moisture-resistant one from a simple laminate. Maybe some kind of varnish or something else will do?

Waterproofing

High-quality waterproofing in compliance with all technologies is a guarantee of comfort and durability of a wooden floor. With a competent approach, you will not have to endure additional costs for restoration and coating restoration procedures.

Since at the preparatory work stage you have already cleaned the floor, repaired cracks, leveled the surface and covered it with a primer, all that remains is to apply a waterproofing compound.

A waterproofing compound is an aqueous solution that penetrates into the pores of concrete and fills them. The material prevents the penetration of water, destruction of the surface, and the formation of mold.

Waterproofing before laying a wooden floor

Waterproofing should be applied using a wide brush or spatula. The solution must be evenly distributed over the surface. The layer thickness should not exceed 5 mm. Repeat the procedure several times. After each application, it is necessary to wait a certain time, which is indicated on each package of the composition.

The most popular solution is hydrosol. The product significantly increases the resistance of the wooden floor in the bathroom to moisture and the appearance of putrefactive bacteria.

Rolled waterproofing materials can be considered no less in demand today. Among them: glass elast, hydrostekloizol, rubitex, uniflex. They are attached mechanically. It is important that the material extends at least 10 cm onto the walls. In some cases, builders combine roll waterproofing and mastic. This allows you to achieve maximum effect and maintain comfort and warmth in the bathroom.

Linoleum

An inexpensive and practical option with a moisture-resistant coating. To make the floor look harmonious, purchase commercial linoleum with wood imitation.

Laying such material will not take you much time, but it is still worth carrying out preliminary waterproofing.

Important points in arranging a room

In a modern bathroom, regardless of the finishing material, you cannot do without two systems:

• ventilation;
• plum.

To do this, you should equip the room with a good hood. The power of the device directly depends on the size of the bathroom - the larger it is, the higher the power.

The hood will not only dry the room, preventing it from the appearance of fungus, mold and high humidity, but will also get rid of the smell of dampness.

Wooden floors in the bathroom

Of course, you can’t do without a drainage system. In the bathroom, you need to additionally install a drain to drain water in a timely manner in case of an emergency.

To install a drain, the floor in the bathroom must be made with a slight slope (about 1.5 degrees). Water that falls on the floor is collected in a funnel in the recess and flows into the sewer.

A wisely equipped bathroom in a wooden house does not limit the choice of style and design of the room, and in the future will not bring any problems to the owner of the home.

Features of the premises' operation

Bathrooms and bathrooms always become rooms where a lot of problems arise during renovation or initial finishing. This is caused by the following features of the operating mode of these construction volumes:

• wet processes occur inside;
• since the bathroom, washbasin, toilet are not closed containers, there is a possibility of water splashing out of them if handled carelessly and this liquid gets on the finish of the walls, ceiling and floor;
• there is a possibility of flooding of the premises if the owners are forgetful;
• in addition to humidity, elevated temperature causes problems;
• Insufficient ventilation may occur, this is especially true for old buildings, the ventilation ducts of which are clogged and do not perform their functions.

Waterproofing in a bathroom in a wooden house

All these features lead to the fact that the materials used for finishing in the bathroom and toilet must meet the following requirements:

• low water absorption (inability to accumulate water, resistance to swelling);
• good waterproofing properties (especially important for a wooden house);
• resistance to elevated temperatures.

An additional requirement can be made for the floor: increased mechanical resistance.

It is also important to take into account that a wooden house has less mass than a brick or concrete one, so it is important not to overload the floors, and therefore the foundations, with excessively massive materials.

Water supply

In wooden houses, condensation often forms on cold water supply pipelines. Therefore, you should not use steel pipes.

The best option would be plastic pipes. Condensation usually does not form on them or is present in smaller quantities, which eliminates the risk of damage to the wood.

You can minimize the likelihood of the development of putrefactive processes in a tree in the following ways:

• do not install pipes close to walls;
• secure the pipes with rubberized clamps;
• thermally insulate the pipeline with tubular polyurethane foam insulation;
• install a drain valve that drains accumulated water on the floor.

Strengths and weaknesses of wood flooring in the bathroom

The following arguments serve as a refutation of the fact that wooden floors cannot be installed in the bathroom:

• Warm. Since wood has low thermal conductivity, such a coating can be laid without installing an additional heating system such as underfloor heating.
• Creative space. A bathroom with a wooden floor is a kind of step beyond the boundaries of established stereotypes. The combination of wood with other materials, including decor, is a unique opportunity to make a room individual and unusual.
• Environmentally friendly.

Disadvantages, if they appear, can be explained:

• Violation of installation rules.
• Wrong choice of materials.
• Lack of hydro- and heat-insulating layer.

If everything is done correctly, and most importantly, choose good material, then these troubles can be easily avoided.

Wood in the bathroom: yes or no?

Wooden facades of bathroom furniture and shelves for towels and accessories look very stylish. Considering that the currently popular Scandinavian, eco-style and rustic style use wood texture as an accent, the question arose: is this a reasonable solution - wood in the bathroom? This material is not very resistant to moisture: it tends to swell, swell and crack. However, wooden ships and sauna finishes hint to us that the effect of moisture on wood is a solvable problem. Which tree to choose and how to protect it, or is it still worth considering alternatives?

Ash is a direct competitor to oak

Both parquet and solid boards are also made from ash; it is used to make parquet boards - it is equally good in all areas of use. In terms of strength, it even surpasses oak, and the fact that baseball bats and sports equipment handles are made from ash speaks for itself. Wood has a light shade, so it is often used in cases where it is necessary to visually expand the room and bring warmth into it.

Advantages:

• high strength, wear resistance and elasticity. Ash is used for finishing gyms, not to mention residential and commercial premises;
• excellent appearance;
• good thermal insulation qualities.

The disadvantages are the high price and low resistance to low temperatures and temperature changes, but this will not be a problem for an apartment.

Area of ​​use: residential and commercial premises, hallway, kitchen, gyms.

Array Alternatives

The most reliable thing in a bathroom is solid wood. But such material is very expensive. How to be?

Firstly, only furniture facades can be made from solid wood, this will save on the amount of material. Secondly, you can use special moisture-resistant MDF. Chipboard and fiberboard are also suitable and cost even less, but are less moisture resistant and cannot be used in close proximity to a wet area. Furniture made from inexpensive material is often covered with veneer, but with a lack of ventilation, changes in humidity and temperature, the veneer quickly cracks and begins to come off.

Wood finish options for bathroom floors

The age-old problem of how and what to put on the bathroom floor can be solved in a fairly simple way. To create the most beautiful, warm and environmentally friendly coating, you only need to use special types of wood-based materials or waterproof wood species:

• Larch;
• Oak;
• Ash;
• Thermostatic wood.

All of the listed types of wood cope well with water. You only need to waterproof the base using coating mastic and lay a thick plastic film. The wooden floor can be laid on slats or glued directly to the base.

To prevent moisture from seeping through the joints, molten mastic based on pine resin is poured into the seams. Next, you will need to put a fiber cord into the joints and fill the seams with polyurethane varnish or epoxy glue. The service life of a wooden floor in a bathroom is at least 10 years.

What should be the flooring in the bathroom?

Almost any good quality wooden floor has a universal character; it can be installed in any residential building, be it a house or an apartment, a cottage or a guest house, except for a bathroom. Putting a simple wooden covering in a bathroom means it will rot in a few months. Therefore, it is necessary to change the structure of the floor, for example, lay an additional layer of plastic or ceramic on a waterproof base, or use a material for a wooden floor that is not susceptible to the destructive effects of water.

But, before laying decorative tiles or any other floor finishing option, it is worth considering some specific qualities of the wooden base:

• It will be necessary to strengthen the floorboards, which sag under the weight of a person, even if plywood or OSB sheets are placed on top of them. The deflection may not be noticeable during daily use, but it becomes obvious the first time you try to lay hard tiles;
• A wood base is not the best option for a floor; in addition to the fact that it needs to be protected from rotting, the structure of the material can change in size even with the slightest change in humidity, not to mention the fact that wooden floors can simply arch in the humid atmosphere of the bathroom ;
• All of the above is a serious problem that has to be solved. For example, when arranging a bathroom in a wooden house where there are no concrete floors, the floorboards lying on the beams are, at best, protected by a layer of basalt thermal insulation. In such conditions, it is not enough to put a waterproofing layer; you will need to carry out a whole range of protective measures.

Therefore, no matter what material you plan to put on a wooden base, the bathroom floor must be protected from water by all available means, namely:

• Lay a double layer of waterproofing;
• Thermally insulate wooden parts from sources of water vapor;
• Provide high-quality ventilation for the subfloor, with air intake from the nearest dry room.

If you simply lay down a decorative coating with waterproofing, then due to the water vapor accumulating in the space around the wooden floorboards, even under the waterproofing layer, the wood will rot and rot.

It is the leakage of water vapor through the corner seams that causes rapid failure of the insulation. Paired with an absorber, you can safely put crushed expanded clay or even mineral wool. All this will make wooden floors not only durable, but also safe.

Oddly enough, there is another way to preserve wood, for example, by installing a heating system in the base of the floor. Any heated floor on a wooden base in the bathroom can be used not only for heating, but also for drying some of the condensation and remaining water on the surface of the floorboards.

How to protect wood from moisture (video)

The best way to preserve wood is varnishing. It preserves its appearance and extends its service life. The main thing is that the varnish has water-repellent properties. Then the varnish layer will not move away from the surface and crack. On average, varnishing needs to be done once every 5-7 years.

Toning is rather an operation that performs the function of increasing the decorativeness of the material, giving it an appearance similar to the surface of exotic rocks. However, it also performs a certain protective function. This procedure is best done every two to three years.

Oil coating is the best way to preserve wood, since oil can fill everything, even the smallest pores in the material. However, every coin has two sides, and oiled wood requires renewal almost every month. Otherwise, the tree will begin to fade. In addition, when treated with oil, wood looks much darker than in its original form.

In general, caring for wood flooring is not at all difficult. Now you can always obtain the necessary funds for this purpose. The main thing is to choose the right type of wood and provide the material with complete protection from moisture. In this case, the bathroom will look completely natural and natural, and the wood will last much longer.

Wooden bathroom: what is suitable?

Even within the same bathroom, humidity levels can vary. It’s one thing to place it in the so-called wet zone, that is, directly next to the bath or shower, where the material is constantly exposed to water. The other is a corner remote from water sources. There are also options for placing wooden objects near the bathtub and sink, when drops of water may occasionally fall on the surface, but the air humidity is still high.

In the first case, it is recommended to use ceramics or plastic instead of wood. But there are wood species that can withstand high humidity when properly processed: oak, ash, Brazil walnut, beech and elm. You can even use them to make the bathtub, shower or sink itself.

Wood that has lower protection against moisture, but feels comfortable when exposed to water and steam:

It is recommended to place other types of wood in as dry conditions as possible.

Photo of wooden floors in the bathroom

How to increase the service life of lumber

When engaged in construction or finishing, it is very important to take timely measures so that softwood lumber will not require replacement for a long time. It all starts with choosing the right type of wood

For critical structures, grade A or B is best suited. But for the subfloor, you can use lower quality wood. The main thing is that it is dried to a level of 12%.

Even the highest quality material can be ruined if used without following certain rules. Purchased boards should be allowed to rest in the room where they are intended to be used. In 10-14 days, the humidity level will completely level out and you will not have problems with warping.

Good manufacturers of lumber from Siberian larch often offer boards that are completely ready for use, including those with impregnation. If there are none, be sure to protect the wood from ultraviolet radiation and fungus. Additional resistance to moisture will be provided by painting or opening with varnish.

The moisture-resistant wood of Siberian larch is not only durable, but also very beautiful. Hiding her design is a real crime, so it is better to use a clear varnish. Some people even refuse this, treating the wood with special oils or wax from time to time.

Both the larch lumber itself and the means to protect it can be ordered on our website. If you have any questions, we will be happy to advise you on the choice of optimal materials for construction and finishing of housing.

How to choose moisture-resistant lumber

Even those people who have never been involved in construction know that coniferous lumber resists moisture better. This is explained by the fact that their wood contains special resinous substances that increase resistance to fungus and damage by various microorganisms. In addition, moisture does not penetrate deep into the wood so quickly, so wood with a large amount of resin swells and warps less. Valuable wood species, especially red and iron, are not afraid of water in any state of aggregation. However, their wood is very expensive, and therefore can only be used in the most prestigious projects.

To choose wood for finishing a bathroom or bathhouse, you should study the characteristics of different species and compare them with each other. Prices can also be compared, because sometimes the family budget is not too large. However, it is still more profitable to make floors “for centuries”, because their repair is a rather labor-intensive process.

Don’t forget about one more important point: the quality of the wood. Even for the same breed, the difference between varieties will be quite significant. In order not to regret wasted money, you should contact a trusted manufacturer with modern equipment. Compliance with drying technology is especially important: if the boards are not dried enough, they can “lead.” Although larch is not too prone to warping, well-dried boards will behave absolutely predictably in construction, but excessively wet ones will require additional trouble.