The organization of lighting is an important stage in the arrangement of a bath or sauna. For each room of this building, its own system is selected. Lamps for baths and saunas must meet not only safety requirements, but also have characteristics that correspond to the operating conditions of the room where they will be installed. This article will help you choose the best type of lighting for rooms with a high level of humidity and correctly place the devices.
What requirements should lamps for baths meet?
There are a number of criteria that the lighting system must meet directly in the steam room. This requirement applies mainly to Russian baths, as well as saunas where steam is used. It is desirable that the lighting in the room be subdued. The atmosphere of light twilight enhances the relaxing effect. The steam room is not intended for cosmetic procedures, so there is no need for bright lighting.
It is recommended to select lamps for the steam room that emit soft light. This is necessary so that a person in a state of relaxation does not strain his eyes and does not feel discomfort.
Sometimes lights fail or get damaged. To prevent injury, you need to close the devices with a special grill or protective screen. These guards will prevent direct contact with electric current, which is especially dangerous in wet conditions. In addition, a person will not be able to cut himself if the device is damaged and the lamp is broken.
It is undesirable to take ceiling lights for the sauna. Hot air is much lighter than cold air. It accumulates in the upper part of the room, so the temperature in this area is very high. Not every device is able to withstand such a load. It is better to place the lamps at the lower or central levels, and the devices themselves must have a heat-resistant housing.
As a beautiful and convenient addition, you can install wooden lamps in the bath. Such designs look great on the ceiling, in the area of the doorway, and they can also be placed near a barrel of water or near a font.
Popular models of lamps for saunas and baths
Lighting fixtures for baths and saunas are quite specific. Despite this, manufacturers offer a wide selection of models of various shapes and colors. On sale you can find devices for all rooms of the bath.
The most popular models of lamps in the sauna:
- Plafonds.
- Chandeliers.
- Lamps.
For lighting fixtures with shades, the light source is covered with a lampshade made of a transparent or translucent material. These items are made from glass. There are also plastic options. So that the light does not blind the eyes, it is better to take models with translucent shades. They can be placed in the recreation area, in the steam room and washing. There are designs with a vertical and horizontal type of installation.
Among the ceiling lamps for the bath, chandeliers have the most beautiful design. They differ from other models not only in high decorative qualities, but also in the design itself. It is desirable that the body of the device is wooden. The chandelier itself is suspended from the ceiling base with a chain.
Note! It is advisable to install chandeliers in the premises of the Finnish sauna, as well as baths made in the classic Russian style. Only in these interiors they will look appropriate.
The location of standard fixtures, as well as the characteristics of these models, depend on the type of lamps that are installed in them (fiber optic, halogen, fluorescent, LED).
When choosing lighting devices, you need to pay attention not only to the appearance of products, but also to their characteristics:
- quality of materials;
- resistance to aggressive operating conditions (pressure drops, high temperature, wet steam);
- tightness of the structure and degree of protection against moisture;
- thermal conductivity of the case (devices with low rates are safer, since there is no risk of getting burned if accidentally touched).
Many models of lamps have additional functionality. Some devices may flicker, emit light of varying intensity, fade slowly, or flash.
How to bring light into the bath: the basic principles of organizing the system
The electrification of the bath and the organization of the lighting system in it is carried out according to certain rules. Particular attention is paid to the safety of devices. Lamps in the bath and sauna must also meet the extreme operating conditions of the room – high humidity and air temperature.
Sometimes there are layouts when the premises are located so that steam penetrates into the dressing room. If it accumulates in a room in large quantities or condensation occurs, this area must be marked on the future wiring diagram.
Taking into account the special operating conditions on the market, you can buy specialized electrical wiring designed for rooms with a high level of humidity. The cost of such materials is quite high, so not every bath owner can afford it. Especially if it is planned to build a small steam room, when such expenses are simply impractical.
Alternatively, you can use the old installation method. According to the technology, the wiring used to be laid through pipes. For these purposes, galvanized metal products were used, which were completely covered with heat-insulating material.
This method can still be used today, but subject to several rules:
- Wiring must be located above the level of water pipes, as well as water containers.
- If there is a stove or some other heating devices in the room, the wiring for lighting the bath should be located as far away from them as possible.
- If ordinary wiring is used to electrify the bath, then before placing it in the pipes, all cables should be wrapped with protective material.
When installing electrical wiring in a bath, all wires must be placed in special heat and moisture protective pipes
Useful advice! To protect the wiring in pipes, experts recommend using fiberglass. The thickness of the material must be at least 2 mm.
Do not overlook sockets and switches. Usually, the installation of electrical installation devices is carried out in a dressing room or rest room. If the wiring diagram provides for their presence, it is desirable that all sockets and switches have a waterproof housing.
Lighting scheme for saunas and baths: where to install lamps
It is not allowed to use fixtures of the same type for all rooms. Each bath room has its own microclimate and operating conditions. Installation of spotlights in the bath is allowed in rooms with minimal exposure to aggressive factors. These rooms include a dressing room. Here you can install a beautiful chandelier over the dining table, and place LEDs around the perimeter. The direction of light, as well as its intensity, can be any.
Wall models can be hung in any room. You just need to make sure that the body of the device is airtight, and its characteristics correspond to the microclimate of the room where it will be installed.
The choice of lamps for a bath in a steam room is particularly difficult. Suitable LED strips, as well as lamps with a soft stream of light. Installation in a corner zone, on the lower regiments and backs of benches is possible. Mounting of particularly resistant and proven models on the ceiling is allowed (heat-resistant devices designed for temperatures above 200°C).
Note! Sometimes LED lamps are decorated with wooden bars or screens. If such decor is installed in the steam room, it requires special processing. To do this, the material is impregnated with agents that repel moisture and enhance the refractory properties of wood.
In the washroom or shower room, the lighting should be bright, but not too harsh for the eyes. Devices must be completely sealed so that moisture cannot penetrate inside.
Best options:
- floor lamps;
- wall sconces;
- chandeliers.
There are no special requirements for lamps in the rest room in the bath. In such rooms, the humidity is within the normal range, so the devices can be anything. If the chandelier on the ceiling does not provide sufficient lighting, you can additionally install wall models with shades.
What is better to choose lamps for lamps in the bath
Lighting lamps are presented on the market in a large assortment, but not every type of lamp is suitable for a bath. There are several varieties that are able to function normally in conditions of high temperature and humidity.
To illuminate the bath, several types of lamps are used:
- halogen;
- LED;
- fiber optic.
Each type of lamp has its own advantages and characteristics, as well as a specific scope.
Useful advice! When buying appliances, it is advisable to give preference to waterproof lamps for saunas and steam rooms. Models with a waterproof case are not only safe, but also more efficient and durable.
Lamps for a bath in a steam room with halogen lamps
Very often, halogen devices are used for lighting in the bath. They are a more advanced version of standard incandescent bulbs, only in this case the glass bulb is filled with a gas mixture. The design is completely sealed, so the halogen is securely preserved inside. This type of lamp is ideal for use in rooms with high air temperatures.
Advantages of halogen bulbs for a bath:
- The body is completely sealed, so moisture and dust particles cannot get inside the lighting.
- Halogen lamps emit natural light, do not create discomfort for the eyes.
- Lamps have a high degree of heat resistance. These devices are able to work even when heated up to 400°C. They do not fail when exposed to high temperatures, like other lamps.
The power of halogen devices is in the range of 20-35 watts. The voltage required for the operation of such lamps does not pose a danger to human life. All modern devices have contacts well protected from moisture.
Additional advantages of halogen lamps include excellent decorative qualities. Manufacturers offer shades for baths of various colors, so that buyers can choose a lamp for any room design.
Features of LED lamps for saunas and baths
LED lamps are considered the most economical devices. They belong to the category of environmentally friendly types of lighting. In the bath, LED lights are best installed as low as possible. These devices do not tolerate moisture and heat. Such lamps are most often used as decorative lighting, they are installed behind the shelves. LEDs have a large color spectrum.
Customers can choose any color of lighting in the store to emphasize the design of the rooms in their bath. Lamps provide an adequate level of illumination in the room. At the same time, they consume very little electrical energy.
In addition to spotlights for the sauna, LED strips are also on sale. Some of them provide a remote control function and additional features. Ribbon lamps decorate benches and canopies, as well as baseboards and various niches.
Note! LED lamps for a bath with an elongated tube-shaped design are usually installed on the ceiling. In this zone, the concentration of moisture and steam is maximum, so when buying lamps, you must definitely look at the technical indicators. LEDs must be resistant to such conditions.
Advantages of LEDs:
- Wide selection of colors.
- Ecological purity.
- Reliability and long service life.
- Resistance to moisture influence.
- Easy mounting system.
When buying waterproof LED lamps for a bath, you must definitely study the information on the degree of protection. The manufacturer places this data on the box or on the device itself. Acceptable for bath rooms is IP45, and even better IP65.
You should also pay attention to the degree of heat resistance. The steam room is not only hot, but temperature fluctuations are also possible. Not every lamp is designed for sudden changes in the microclimate. The air temperature in the steam room can vary between 60-120°C. For ceiling structures, the requirements are even more stringent. The load on them is much higher, and the temperature in this part of the room sometimes reaches 300 ° C.
Sauna lights with fiber optic lamps
Fiber optic lamps have the highest degree of protection against moisture. They are made from synthetic fibers. Sometimes glass is used. Light is formed inside the lamp. Then it is transferred to transparent fibers with the help of a projector. The material of these tubes transmits light waves well and delays electricity. Thanks to these properties, the lighting fixtures have such a high protection factor. Lamps can be installed even in pools and tanks filled with water.
Advantages of fiber optic lighting in the sauna:
- Resistance to high temperatures and sharp fluctuations in the microclimate in the room.
- Soft, diffused streams of light.
- Resistance to prolonged exposure to moisture.
- Long service life, even with frequent use.
- Saving electrical energy.
- Versatility (suitable for all bath rooms).
Useful advice! Using fiber optic lamps, you can organize the effect of a starry sky on the ceiling. To do this, you need to make a niche, make holes in it and fix a luminous tube in each.
What materials are suitable for lamps in the steam room
The choice of material from which the lamps in the bath will be made should be approached responsibly. Firstly, the appliances must fit into the overall environment, in harmony with the design of the premises. Secondly, you need to choose a material that will withstand the test of temperature and humidity, and also protect the lamp from their harmful effects.
Most often, the following types of lamps are used in the bath:
- wooden;
- glass (ceramic);
- salt.
In addition, the shell of the lamp performs the function of dispersion. It is advisable to choose a material that will soften the streams of light and create a cozy atmosphere in the bath.
The unique properties of Himalayan salt lamps for the steam room
Himalayan salt lamps are especially popular. This material is mined at the bottom of the lake, which dried up 250 million years ago. The composition contains about a hundred different minerals. The uniqueness of salt bath lamps lies in the fact that when heated, the material emits particles that favorably affect human health and well-being.
Himalayan salt has a very dense texture. It is also used as a building material. Bricks are made from salt, which are used to build walls in the steam room, as well as decorative elements. When heated indoors, the effect of the sea coast is created. Mineral vapors help cure asthma and bronchitis.
When heated, Himalayan salt also releases negative ions. They perfectly disinfect the air. This process starts when the room temperature exceeds 60°C.
Most often, Himalayan salt lamps are made in the form of a diffusing screen. Although you can find models made of plates or in the form of a container that is filled with lumpy material.
Important! The humidity in the room should not exceed 50%, otherwise the salt in the lamp will quickly become damp and lose its beneficial properties.
Overview and characteristics of ceramic lamps for baths
Ceramic lamps are the most common type of devices. They are widely used to illuminate all types of premises, including baths. The base in such devices is made of ceramics, and the ceiling is made of glass. There are plastic models, for example, Harvia. But, despite the quality of the manufacturer, such lampshades melt in the steam room. For this reason, it is recommended to give preference to glass shades, although there is a risk of cuts if the luminaire is accidentally damaged.
The glass dome, combined with the ceramic base, protects the lamp inside from heat and moisture.
Manufacturers offer several installation options:
- Parallel – the lamp fits snugly against the wall, and its light bulb is parallel to the base.
- At an angle – the design is called “corner”, although it is not a kind of corner lamps, in the bath it is installed at an angle to the wall.
- Perpendicular – the light bulb is perpendicular to the base.
Despite the declared heat resistance, ceramic lamps are not recommended to be installed directly on the base of the ceiling. Mounting can be done on the wall at the top of the room.
The main types of wooden lamps for the bath
Wood is the best solution. This material meets all the above requirements. Most often, the walls and ceilings of the baths are made of wood, so these devices blend well with the decor. The material is of natural origin, safe for humans. Its surface is pleasant to the touch.
Under the wooden lamp in the bath is meant a lamp with a lampshade made of heat-resistant glass, which is covered with a wooden lampshade. Some manufacturers offer this decorative protection complete with the main appliance, in other cases it can be purchased separately or made by yourself.
Wooden lampshades are of two types:
- Screens.
- Lattices.
Combinations are also available for sale. According to the method of installation, they are divided into corner lamps for baths and wall lamps.
Protective screens consist of a single sheet. The front part of such lampshades is made of plywood or thin furniture boards. The material is decorated with shaped holes that let in light from the lamp. On the reverse side of the screen, these slots are covered with a mesh.
Structures in the form of lattices consist of slats and small slats. Before assembly, they are processed, giving the product an artistic look. Slots are left between the bars of the grille through which the light from the lamp will pass.
Note! When choosing a design, you need to pay attention to the width of these gaps. The larger the slot, the more light will enter the room.
Screens made of wood and lattice muffle and scatter light, prevent excess moisture from entering the glass surface. In addition, they act as a decor, and also protect the lamp from mechanical damage.
Many craftsmen make lamps from wood on their own. This material is affordable, easily amenable to any type of processing. From wood, you can create a product of any shape, decorate it with carvings, beautiful ornaments and other decor.
How to make a lattice for a lamp in a bath with your own hands from wood
The wooden plank grille not only diffuses the light, but also creates a relaxing, cozy atmosphere. Passing through it, the light casts beautiful highlights and shadows on all surfaces in the room.
The lattice consists of the main frame and small strips (slats), which are fixed on it from below and above. Additional decorative elements can be added to this design. If you use materials left after finishing work in the steam room to create these decorations, the design of the lamp will be combined in texture and color with the design of the room.
Before you start creating a lattice, you need to think through the main details and take into account a few nuances:
- The shape of the frame – the design may be different. It all depends on the design of the lamp and its location. Wall appliances have a rectangular or round frame. The basis of the corner lamps for the sauna is trapezoidal or triangular.
- Safety – the size of the rails is selected taking into account the overall dimensions of the lighting and the selected design for the grille. All sharp areas on the details and corners must be rounded, carefully sanded. This will ensure the safety of the device. Sanding will give the grille a neat and finished appearance.
- Fixation – it is desirable to fasten the parts together with self-tapping screws, but this should be done from the back side of the lattice. This is necessary so that the steel caps do not spoil the appearance of the product. In addition, the metal will be very hot. The absence of steel elements on the outside eliminates the possibility of getting burned if a person accidentally touches the lamp in the steam room.
You can make a wooden lamp for a sauna with your own hands
To create a lattice with a strict geometric design, rectangular planks are suitable. They can be mounted on the frame parallel to each other or crossed. To get an elegant product, curly slats are used. To create concave or convex bends, no special knowledge is required. A beginner can also handle this task.
Useful advice! If you use larch or cedar wood as a material for the lattice, you can get a durable product that, when heated, will fill the room with a pleasant aroma.
How to make a screen for a lamp in the bath with your own hands
A diffusing screen, like a grate, can be made at home with your own hands. To create this decorative element, not only wood, but also other materials can be used:
- fabric (the material must be thin, but very durable, for example, silk);
- plastic;
- ceramics, glass, clay;
- cardboard or thick paper.
Wooden screen for a lamp in the bath
The most suitable material for a bath is wood. You can even use bark. This material meets the basic requirements:
- Wood has a high margin of safety, is able to protect the lamp from shock and other mechanical influences.
- The material is easily processed at home, even with hand tools.
- The low heat capacity of wood eliminates the likelihood of burns.
If you want to create an interesting and unusual design, you can combine wood with other materials. The manufacturing technology of the screen is almost the same as that of the grating. Only instead of rails, a wooden plate or a large piece of bark is used, where through patterns or figured holes were previously cut in the form of animals, plants, a fire, the sun, the moon, etc.
The stores offer a huge range of lighting products, including special appliances for the bath. In order not to make a mistake with the choice of a device, you only need to carefully study the technical characteristics of the products, as well as indicators that are responsible for the degree of protection against negative factors (from moisture and dust, mechanical stress, high temperatures). Only in this case the device will last a long time, and its operation will be safe.
