Bathroom in a wooden house: the rules of arrangement and features of decoration

Nikolay Fedorenko
Checked by a specialist: Nikolay Fedorenko
Author: Antonina Turyeva
Last update: November 2024

Wooden houses are no longer a rarity in suburban construction. Due to the unique structure and environmental safety of natural wood, they have much more advantages than analogues of brick or concrete. In such houses it is easy to breathe, they are warm and comfortable even in the most severe frosts.

Despite the positive qualities, some relate to buildings made of wood with caution. The main fears are caused by the bathroom in a wooden house and the process of its arrangement. The excitement is justified, because the organic building material intensely absorbs moisture, and this is fraught with decay.

The correct approach to planning and finishing the bathroom will help to avoid these problems. We will tell you how to better lay communications and place plumbing in a hygienic room. We will reveal all the subtleties of a waterproofing device and finishing.

Where and how best to position the bathroom?

First of all, at the design stage, you need to choose the optimal place for the arrangement of the bathroom. It is advisable to place it on the ground floor next to the bedroom, dressing room or between two rooms.

If the living space is large, then for convenience in the house there may be several bathrooms on different floors. In this case, the premises are equipped one above the other. At the same time, preliminary calculations of the load on the floors in wooden houses are of great importance.

Given that the average weight of a standard bath is about 100 kg. Filled with water, it weighs twice as much. Plus the body weight of the person taking the bath. Because of this, the design load is increased to not less than 460 kg / m2.

In order to obtain the required design load parameters, the following measures are taken:

  • reduction in the step of laying beams;
  • the use of ceilings with a large cross section;
  • an increase in beam thickness of 25 percent.

The floor in the bathroom is better to do slightly lower than in other rooms. The reserve in height will protect the house from flooding in case of unforeseen circumstances occurring due to a pipe break or equipment breakdown.

Floor overlap in the bathroom
An increased load will be placed on the floor floors in the bathroom. They should be much thicker and stronger than standard designs.

During planning, you need to draw a layout of the plumbing equipment, risers, fixtures, valves.

Features of arranging a communication system

When a suitable place is chosen, it is time to think through all the nuances that accompany the connection of communications to the room. It is advisable to draw up a detailed plan where to indicate the location of each individual element.

Subtleties of the organization of water supply

Condensate is an avid enemy of all wooden structures, often formed in large numbers on pipes with cold water. You can protect wood in the bathroom from it by choosing plastic pipes instead of metal products.

Plastic is characterized by lower thermal conductivity, which means that the amount of condensate on it will decrease and will tend to a minimum.

Useful installation recommendations will help to nullify the risk of rotting of wooden structures, namely:

  • exception of contact of pipes with walls;
  • thermal insulation of structures using special tubes made of foamed polyurethane;
  • fixing the pipeline with clamps equipped with rubber gaskets;
  • arrangement of a drain valve that will discharge the accumulated water on the floor.

Compliance with these simple rules when installing a plumbing in the bathroom will prevent early destruction of the supporting structures of a wooden house.

Plastic pipes for the bathroom
To equip the water supply of the bathroom in a wooden house, it is advisable to buy plastic pipes. They are resistant to deformation, and this is important, because a house made of timber or logs gives noticeable shrinkage over time

Basic sewage requirements

To sewage systems in wooden houses put forward special requirements. Any leaks are dangerous for wood, so it is imperative to carefully check the tightness of all joints.

Also, pipes must not be allowed to freeze. Due to illiterate ventilation for natural ventilation in winter, his risk is quite high. An effective option for the prevention of this phenomenon is to bury sewer pipes in the ground.

The process of organizing a sewer pipeline in a log house will be demonstrated by the following photo selection. The construction was carried out on a concrete slab poured over the ground. The work included not only laying the drainage system, but also preparing the floor for further decoration:

It is more convenient to fill the leveling screed from the far corner of the room, moving towards the exit:

The rough floor is ready. Now it can be finished with any kind of floor tile, porcelain stoneware, linoleum or just grinding the concrete base. It is important when laying the coating to leave a gap between the walls and the massif of the floor so that the movements of the wood do not damage it. The gap is closed with a plinth.

Features of the arrangement of the electrical network in the bathroom

To properly conduct wiring in the bathroom, you need to remember that high humidity does not affect wiring in the best way. In adverse conditions, open contacts quickly oxidize, and in the area of ​​the joints increases the resistance and the degree of heating.

It’s not worth joking with this, the critical temperature often causes fires. It is important to lay the wiring in compliance with all regulatory requirements, connecting cables as securely as possible. The ends of the veins in the compounds are preferably covered with a layer of tin.

Fires in wooden houses
Often fires in wooden houses arise due to errors in the installation of electrical wires. You can’t save on it

Also when compiling wiring diagrams Do not forget that the house is wooden. And here you will need increased attention and additional protection of conductors.

The best option is to use metal pipes in which the wiring will be laid. The use of copper or steel pipes will allow you to safely flush-mount in the bathroom.

Do not forget that electric points must be removed from taps and shower heads. And sockets must be chosen with a special protective cover - moisture-proof with IP44.

The specifics of the organization of electrical wiring in the bathroom is to protect the lighting and power lines from the possible effects of steam and water:

Ventilation device specifics

For any bathroom, air exchange is important, and in a wooden house it is especially necessary to organize a complete ventilation system.

It is important to ensure a full flow of air into the room, leaving a gap under the door. You can also put special grilles in the lower part of the door - they look beautiful and fulfill their main function of air supply.

Bathroom
For the bathroom of a wooden house, it is important to ensure the timely flow and removal of air. This will extend the life of the main structures.

A ventilation duct is built to remove the exhaust air. It can be displayed in the attic of the house or laid under a false ceiling, if one is installed in the bathroom.

For safety reasons, ventilation ducts are equipped with fire dampers, flexible non-combustible materials, and a fan protected from fire. The power of the exhaust fan is selected based on the area of ​​the room.

If in addition to the bathroom in a wooden house there is a sauna or a steam room, then it is also necessary to think over and arrange ventilation. The specifics of ventilating the steam room are described in detail in our article.

Bathroom ventilation system
Reliable ventilation system in the bathroom will instantly remove humid air from the room

Rules for the design and design of the hood in a traditional bathroom are given in articlewhich we recommend that you read.

How to make waterproofing?

Before you start finishing, you need to make waterproofing - an effective waterproof barrier for all parts of the room.

The main types of waterproofing materials

When choosing a material for waterproofing, you should focus on the type of finish that will be used in the bathroom.

To protect the wall structure from the harmful effects of moisture, use the following materials:

  • Smear. They are able to create a resistant waterproof coating. These are mastics and emulsions, which are applied to the surface with a roller or brush in three layers with an interval of several days;
  • Stickysold in rolls or sheets that are lapped. Seams are also treated with sealant or waterproof putty;
  • Impregnating. They are used for processing non-residential rooms due to the presence of various chemical additives in the composition.

Water-repellent properties are ensured by the presence of special additives in the materials that are safe for humans. So, for gluing sheet bituminous or polymeric materials, a special adhesive composition of hot or cold mastic is taken.

Waterproofing materials
Processing materials with water-repellent properties will protect the tree from swelling and decay due to moisture

The procedure for waterproofing in the bathroom

Waterproofing material is applied only to a cleaned surface treated with primers with a deep penetrating effect.

In most cases, the floor is insulated with bituminous mastics, then glued with a waterproofing film, and a cement-sand screed reinforced with a reinforcing mesh and plasticizer is made on top. This technology is reliable and relatively inexpensive.

Cement screed on the floor
Cement screed smoothes and smoothes the surface of the floor, preparing it for finishing

For waterproofing walls, you can use one of the options:

  • To process a surface with a layer of latex or acrylic waterproofing under drywall;
  • Coat the walls with mastic before laying the tiles;
  • Leave the wood surface as a finish, impregnating it with compounds with oil and varnish bases.

The surface of the ceiling must also be well lubricated with bituminous mastic in 2-3 layers, and then treated with an antiseptic protective mixture.

Wet areas in the bathroom
When waterproofing coatings, special attention should be paid to the so-called “wet” areas near the sinks and the bath itself

With the rules for waterproofing a standard bathroom before tiling will introduce the articlewhich we advise you to read.

Wall, floor and ceiling decoration

After a reliable waterproofing is ready and completely dry, the turn of finishing work comes. When choosing materials, you should take into account the features of the room, which is located in a wooden house.

What floor to do in the bathroom?

The basis for the finishing of the floor will be a concrete screed, poured over the waterproofing layer. It should have a slight slope, due to which an emergency drain is equipped in the floor.

Wooden bathroom
All materials purchased for finishing the bathroom must comply with the main requirement for any finishing material for a wooden house - moisture resistance. This is the first thing to look for when buying.

For floor finishing most often use:

  • laminate;
  • porcelain / ceramic tiles;
  • linoleum;
  • moisture resistant wood.

Elementary and far from the worst version of the cladding - ceramic tiles. The wooden floor looks beautiful and organic in the bathroom. If you want to save money, you can do with linoleum.

Laying hard types of coatings on the floor in wooden houses is performed according to a floating scheme. That is, they do not fix rigidly to the base and between the walls of the building and the screed together with, for example, tiles laid on it, leave a gap of 1.5 - 2 cm.

A “floating floor” is necessary to compensate for the linear movements of wooden structures. From above, the gap is closed with a skirting board, which is fixed exclusively to the wall.

Features of wall decoration

When decorating the walls you need to take into account the characteristic features of natural wood. Under the influence of moisture and temperature jumps, it shrinks and shrinks.

To avoid deformation of the surface, they are prepared for subsequent finishing by installing a crate and fixing a false wall on top. This design is erected from moisture-proof drywall or a sliding frame made of a metal profile in compliance with the ventilation gap.

Such preparation will allow you to perform almost any type of finish. But if it is planned to use wood for cladding, then there is no need to build false structures.

Finishing with different types of materials
Tiles in the bathroom can be combined with wood or special paint, creating beautiful combinations

Now the following decorative materials for walls in the bathroom are in demand:

  • Wooden lining. It is polished and additionally processed with paints and varnishes. It is better that it was made of moisture-resistant teak or larch;
  • Tile. It is presented in a huge assortment: smooth and embossed, plain, with ornament, large or mosaic. It is fastened with waterproof glue, and the seams are treated with a polyurethane elastic sealant;
  • Wall panels. It can be plastic plates or aqua panels. Under them, a crate for a ventilation gap is necessarily installed.

A variety of materials for finishing allows you to realize any design imagination. You can combine several types of materials, create color compositions, play with textures.

Tiling the bathroom
Tiling is the perfect solution for bathrooms. It is durable, not afraid of water and easy to care for.

Features of laying tiles in the bathrooms of wooden houses are presented in the following gallery:

Those who wish to veneer ceramic walls with logs or beams will have much more work. To do this, first build a frame on the walls, allowing the decoration to move separately. A plasterboard base is arranged on the frame, tiles are laid on it.

Subtleties of arranging the ceiling

Ceilings of bathrooms located in private wooden houses are usually finished with suspended or suspended structures made of glossy PVC panels, moisture-proof drywall.

False ceilings are appreciated for numerous benefits. They are a powerful shield against humid air, under them it is easy to mask elements of the electrical and ventilation systems.

If the choice fell on drywall, then the profile for it should be treated with zinc and coated with additional corrosion protection. To keep the gypsum ceiling ceiling for longer its original attractiveness, it is glued with glass wallpaper.

Ceiling in the bathroom
Tension, suspension and rack structures of the ceiling will allow to realize any ideas for lighting

Selection and installation of plumbing

When all the most difficult work is over, there comes a moment of choosing and buying plumbing. In this matter, the size of the room, its location, the number of family members are taken into account.

The style of the room also matters. For each direction - country, art deco, provence or classic - you can choose the right plumbing equipment.

There are different models of bathtubs on the market:

The option to purchase a cast-iron bath is better to discard immediately. It is unacceptable for a wooden house because of its impressive mass. Steel products that are suitable for small spaces are more practical.

For rooms decorated in eco-style, it makes sense to purchase an unusual wooden bathtub. The greatest variety of configurations differ in acrylic models. Among them, there will definitely be something that perfectly fits into a certain style of interior.

You can install the bath in the center
If the size of the room allows, you can install the bath in the center. For a wooden house, this arrangement is very convenient and practical. The walls in this case do not come in contact with water, which significantly extends the life of their finish

In combined bathrooms, it is advisable to separate the bath and toilet with partitions made of drywall, wood, colored, frosted or mirror glass. Also in the room there should be conditional zones for swimming, rest, a sanitary zone.

Plumbing should be installed so that there is free space around it:

  • bathtub - 100 cm;
  • toilet bowl - 60-70 cm;
  • a bedside table with opening doors - 50 cm;
  • shower cabin - 90 cm;
  • sink - 70 cm.

The distance between each type of equipment should be at least 20 cm. This will allow each device to be used without problems, without clinging sideways to the other.

Wooden shower
In order to save space, it is recommended to purchase furniture of a corner installation, and replace the standard bathtub with a shower cabin

Choosing plumbing for small rooms should be very careful. In order not to further narrow the space visually, you can not install a toilet, sink and bathtub in dark colors. A profitable solution would be to introduce pastel shades, transparent shelves, and built-in furniture into the interior.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video about decorating a bathroom with PVC panels:

How to prepare the floor for finishing: effective waterproofing methods:

Laying tiles in the bathroom - all the nuances in the video:

Furnishing a bathroom in a wooden house seems a difficult and impossible task only at first glance. In fact, anyone can understand all the subtleties. The main thing is to take into account the characteristic features of natural wood and select high-quality moisture-resistant materials for decoration.

Tell us about how you equipped the bathroom in a house made of timber or logs. Share the nuances and subtleties of the process that may be useful to site visitors. Please leave comments in the block below, ask questions, publish photos on the topic of the article.

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Visitors Comments
  1. Irina

    We in our house from a bar did not begin to risk. They sewed everything up with moisture-proof drywall, made the floor self-leveling with heating, laid the walls and floor with tiles, and made the ceiling stretch. They also added forced hood and additional ventilation, though they waited two years for the house to shrink, so that afterwards nothing would crack or fall off. Everything seems to be normal for 12 years now without repair, there is no mold and dampness.
    But the neighbors have done everything under the varnish and impregnation, only tiles on the floor. It also seems to rot nothing, the tree is intact, but darkened. For money, we compared with them - what to sew up and overlaid the bath, what to soak and varnish, it turned out the same. Only ours is more technologically advanced, or something, but they somehow patriarchal.

    • Vitaliy

      I’m also doing a bath in a wooden house now. But I plan to do a little differently - put Knauf water panels on the crate, and glue the tiles on top of them.

      Before that, they offered me the option with tiles only on the floor, but it immediately seemed dubious to me, and after reading the reviews of people, it immediately became clear and finally refused.

  2. Well, of course, everything in the article is described. But in reality it’s often the way you don’t do it, only if you build a house from scratch. Most often, the article is read by those who make repairs in an already residential building.Also, I don’t quite agree about the sewers, it is said that leaks are undesirable in a wooden house, and in any other house this is just as unnecessary. The same can be said about condensate on pipes. But in general, the article is good, there is all the necessary information.

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