Despite the fact that each bath, as a rule, has windows, there is not always enough light falling from them to steam with sufficient comfort. For example, if you decide to go to the bathhouse in the evening, when the sun has already set over the horizon, or in gloomy weather, when the sky is covered with clouds. In addition, windows are often not installed in the steam room at all.
Steaming with insufficient lighting is not only inconvenient, but also unsafe. You may trip over a threshold, stumble on a step, bump your head in a low opening, or lean against a hot surface.
As you can imagine, without light it will not be very convenient in the bathhouse. Therefore, let's see what lamps are produced for baths and saunas, how to choose them correctly and what to look for in the store.
Luminaire requirements
Since the luminaires will have to work in an environment with high temperature and humidity, special requirements are imposed on them. This is especially true of the class of moisture protection of the lighting device. You can't just hang up any light bulb. It is imperative to make sure that the lamp is suitable for use in a bath or sauna.
All luminaires in accordance with current regulations are marked (IP), which indicates the resistance to dust and moisture.
The first digit in the marking can vary from 0 (no protection) to 6 (complete protection against dust ingress).
The second digit can have a value from 0 (no protection) to 8 (protection against moisture ingress when the luminaire is immersed in water).
For wet rooms, such as a bathroom, a bathhouse or a sauna, it is recommended to purchase lamps with a marking of at least IP44 (protection against drops and splashes). Even better if you buy an IP65-rated luminaire that guarantees complete protection from dust and water jets.
The table, which contains all the IP protection degrees, will help you choose the right lamp:
|
Degrees of protectionIP |
||||||||||
|
No protection |
Falling drops |
Falling drops at an angle |
Splashes from all sides |
Jets from all sides |
Strong streams of water |
Temporary immersion |
Full immersion |
|||
|
IP0x |
No protection |
|||||||||
|
IP1x |
||||||||||
|
IP2x |
||||||||||
|
IP3x |
||||||||||
|
IP4x |
Particles less than 1mm |
|||||||||
|
IP5x |
Dust partially |
|||||||||
|
IP6x |
Dust completely |
|||||||||
In addition to moisture protection, the luminaire must have sufficient thermal stability to ensure reliable operation in the ambient temperature range from 20 to 130 degrees.
Luminaires with a ceramic body have shown themselves well in operation, which has a high resistance to temperature changes, and also reliably protects against contact with live contacts installed inside the cartridge.
Types of lamps for a bath
In spite of a large number of commercially available lighting devices, not all of them are suitable for a bath or sauna.
For example, ordinary incandescent bulbs will not work, which, although they are cheap, can be dangerous if they get wet. In this case, the lamp will simply burst, not only leaving you in the dark, but also scattering shards of glass around the room.
The best choice for bath lighting will be LED lamps, fiber optic lamps, halogen lamps, as well as the usual fluorescent lamps.
Let's take a closer look at their pros and cons.
LED lights
In terms of price-quality ratio, it is difficult to find more economical and durable lamps comparable to LED lamps in terms of their resource, luminous flux and minimum value voltage used to make them work.
When LED lamps first began to appear on the market, many were deterred by their high cost. Today everything has changed and the price for LED lamps has already become equal, or even lower than for the energy-saving fluorescent lamps we are used to.
The supply voltage of LED light sources is safe for humans, which allows them to be used in rooms where accidental contact with live parts is possible.
However, they also have one drawback - LEDs are not designed to work in rooms with high temperatures. Therefore, in the steam room, they have to be placed closer to the floor, where the temperature is noticeably lower than in other parts of the room.
LED lighting allows you to embody many of the most daring design ideas. With their use, decorative lighting and adjustable lighting are easily realized.
LED lamps, installed hidden behind various screens and spoilers, are able to add a touch of surrealism to the interior, and a wide range of color palette of light sources makes them clear leaders in comparison with any other types of fixtures.
How to make a homemade LED lamp for a bath, see this video:
Fluorescent lamps
Fluorescent lamps familiar to us are also installed quite often. Today it is one of the most popular types of light sources in baths and saunas. Moreover, they can be connected via a dimmer, which provides the ability to smoothly control the luminous flux created by fluorescent lamps.
Fiber optic lighting
Another modern type of lighting fixtures are fiber optic fixtures.
Optical fiber is an elastic strand of glass or acrylic fibers in which the light generated by the projector propagates freely.
Fiber optic luminaires are not afraid of high temperature and humidity, and different shape lenses can create different lighting effects.
Fiber-optic laying in special niches allows you to create amazing interior solutions using decorative lighting, and built into the ceiling, such lamps can create the effect of a starry sky:
Luminaires mounted at the end of a fiber optic cord are also widely used:
The design of the light diffusing element can be absolutely any, suitable in style. design solution interior.
Halogen lamps for a bath
Halogen lamps have a high heating temperature during operation. Therefore, they can be used in rooms with high temperatures, without fear that they will fail. The temperature inside the lamps themselves can reach 400 degrees.
Despite their low power consumption, halogen lamps have a high luminous flux generated, providing an excellent ratio of the cost of electricity consumed to the amount of light produced.
Despite the high degree of protection against possible splashes, lamps in the bath are often installed behind a wooden fence, which protects them from possible damage.
In this case, the luminous flux is directed to a reflective surface - a wall, ceiling or a piece of stainless steel nailed to the wall specifically to reflect light from the lamp.
Often they put decorative lighting under the shelves, giving the room a very beautiful and unusual look.
If you are building a bathhouse, you will definitely encounter a controversial issue about its lighting. The windows in the steam room are either small or none at all. We will start the conversation with the question of the power supply of the lamps, and end with LED lamps for baths and saunas.
Choosing voltage
In addition to comfort, relaxation and benefits, a bath is a difficult environment for electrical wiring and lighting devices.
The bath has high humidity and temperature. This is an extremely undesirable condition for any electrical circuit. Splashing water is another hazardous factor. How can you avoid the risk of electric shock under these conditions?
To protect yourself and others, use heat-resistant cables for wiring in the bath. They usually come in a single core, so keep this fact in mind when calculating. A regular cable near the stove may not withstand high temperatures.
By the way of laying, both options are possible - external and internal. Naturally, it is better to ensure maximum protection and distance from people of any type of wiring.
If you are using an outdoor installation method, use special porcelain insulators to insulate the cable from the wall.
Do not use a corrugation for the cable, it will soon crumble from temperature changes.
We exclude switches and sockets from the steam room. It is better to install them in a dressing room, or any other relatively cool and dry place. Electricity must be injected through a residual current device (RCD).
What voltage to supply electrical circuits in sauna? Subject to all safety measures and advice on organizing power supply, you can use a voltage of 220V.
However, the abundance of options for damaging the integrity of the wiring makes one think about using a reduced voltage of 12-24-36V. It is safer and does not incur additional costs. 12V electronic transformers and power supplies for LEDs recent times fell in price.
For example, a power supply device for a current of 10A, which can provide power to 5 meters of a powerful LED strip in a bath, costs about 10-15 dollars!
What kind of fixtures can I use?
First of all, pay attention to the dust and moisture resistance class of the lamp, the higher it is, the better. Ideal for the protection class to be IP68.
The second thing you should pay attention to is the material from which the lamps are made. Such lamps are produced by the company lindner, they are in great demand and are regularly used in saunas.
Their body is made of iron, ceramics and glass, which provides resistance to high temperatures, and is ideal for a bath.
Mine lamps and lamps for housing and communal services of different variations are also great for a bath. They must be protected from moisture, fitted with sealing gaskets at the joints, and free of plastic parts.
Here is an example of a great LED steam room light. In some cases, it is possible to mount spotlights in the floor or sun loungers.
Protected lamps for a bath do not look very aesthetically pleasing. Often they are covered with wooden lampshades or sewn up with a casing. In any of the luminaires described, you can install an LED lamp of the corresponding base.
Can you use an LED lamp in a sauna?
All LED bulbs have a problem - overheating. High temperature (over 70 degrees) is the main enemy of LEDs.
To use LED sauna lamps - install them behind the lower benches or along the floor. Try to lower it as low as possible and take it away from the oven. If you plan to illuminate the heater itself, use fiber optic lighting.
In the photo, there are lamps at the end of the room opposite from the heater and under the shelves, where the temperature is much lower. You know that hot air rises and the temperature under the ceiling can reach 100 degrees, lethal for LEDs. This arrangement will to some extent protect the LEDs from overheating, which (albeit with a stretch) will allow you to install LED lamps in the steam room.
Alternative LED lighting
Luminaires with LED lamps in 99% of cases are not suitable for a sauna... 1% are specialized luminaires or individual solutions from professionals.
There are special solutions that will help you adapt them to work in elevated temperatures. For example, heat-resistant LED Strip Light for a bath. It is covered with a thick protective silicone coating that is resistant to high temperatures.
Its appearance resembles a duralight cord. And execution will allow you to realize the desired LED lightening baths. Working with it is similar to working with a regular ribbon.
As usual \, the LED strip for the steam room comes in different colors. Its advantage is its high luminous flux values.
In general, a similar LED strip in a steam room works the same as a regular one at room temperature. Be careful when buying, the copy in the first picture has a supply voltage of 24 volts. Take care of the correct power supply.
Remember! LEDs when lighting a steam room work in the limit temperature conditions, and in some cases, outrageous. There is no need to hope that they will work out the required resource of 30,000 - 50,000 hours.
However, quality branded lamps and bands can work comfortably in this range. It is better to purchase specialized heat-resistant products. For a choice without mistakes, use the catalogs from the manufacturers.
In general, the lighting of the sauna with LEDs makes sense if you will power them from a power supply unit with reduced voltage. All LED strip power supplies are galvanically isolated, and are safer than 220V LED strips and lamps.
Be aware of high temperature LED problems. If you do not want to regularly maintain, repair and replace LED installations, it is better to consider alternative sources of lighting. Finnish engineers are actively promoting the method of lighting a bath using fiber optic. This is a radically different way of lighting.
The steam room in the bath usually has no windows. This is due to the need to comply with the maximum thermal insulation of this room. Therefore, you need to take care of the presence of artificial light sources.
This is where a lot of problems arise, since not every lamp will withstand the aggressive conditions of the steam room. This article will help you solve them.
Primary requirements
What should be a lamp for a bath?
Let's figure it out:
- First of all, the lighting device installed in the steam room, of course, must have adequate moisture protection, which I noted in the title. It's all about the abundant steam and frequent splashes of water. This, firstly, can lead to the destruction of the lamp itself, and secondly, cause a combination of uncontrolled electric current with high humidity, which is dangerous to human health;
You can get information on how the luminaire is protected from moisture by the corresponding marking. So for the steam room, you need to take those samples for which this parameter is not less than IP-44. Then it will be possible not to fear for the penetration of water into the device.
| Degree of protection | Marking | ||||||
| No protection | IP-00 | IP-10 | IP-20 | IP-30 | IP-40 | IP-50 | IP-60 |
| Protection against falling vertical drops | IP-11 | IP-21 | IP-31 | IP-41 | |||
| Protection against falling drops at an angle of 15 degrees | IP-12 | IP-22 | IP-32 | IP-42 | |||
| 60 degree splash protection | IP-23 | IP-33 | IP-43 | ||||
| Full splash protection | IP-34 | IP-44 | IP-54 | ||||
| Protection against jets directed under low pressure from all directions | IP-55 | IP-65 | |||||
| Protection against intense water currents | IP-66 | ||||||
| Possibility of temporary immersion in water up to one meter deep | IP-67 | ||||||
| Full immersion in water | IP-68 | ||||||
- The next equally important requirement is ability to withstand high temperatures without any negative consequences. After all, the air in the steam room can even heat up to +120 degrees Celsius, which not every lamp can withstand;
At the same time, any lighting fixtures are suitable for the dressing room and changing room, since there are no extreme conditions in these parts of the bath.
- Also installed luminaire should not have high power... This is required so that if, nevertheless, the device is damaged and comes into contact with the surrounding moisture, then the existing electric charge did not pose a danger to human life;
- Another significant parameter is the nature of the light itself emanating from lighting fixtures. Too bright and harsh radiation will not allow you to fully relax, and weak and muffled radiation will immerse the room in a twilight dangerous for injury.
Possible options
Now, in terms of the requirements described above for what the lamp should be in the steam room, we will consider the existing types of lamps:
Option number 1: filament lamps
This is the least successful choice for a steam room.
Such a light bulb:
- Explodes when hit by water droplets that is dangerous for the visitors of the bath;
- Does not have sufficient tightness;
- Has high power.
You can, of course, purchase copies with additional protection, or even take care of creating it yourself, but, as a rule, the efforts and financial costs spent on this simply do not pay off.
Option number 2: halogen lamps
This type of light bulb is very similar to the previous one, but it has fundamental difference in its structure.
This is the presence of halogens in the gas mixture under the glass bulb, which gives them significant advantages:
- Heat resistance... The high temperature of the steam room is not terrible for such lighting devices, because they themselves can heat up to +400 degrees Celsius from the inside;
- Samples with splash and dust resistance... The accompanying instructions will always tell you the degree of such security;
- Low power fluctuating in the region of 20-30 W;
- Pleasant light spectrum close to daylight natural light. Although this is a slightly controversial statement, because such light is also characterized as "cold". And this may not be to everyone's liking when taking water procedures.
You can add enough to the disadvantages the high cost of those copies that have the necessary degree of protection against moisture... As an example, we can consider the model of the linear type "TCW060 2XTL-D18W HF":
Option # 3: Fiber Optic Lighting
These lamps for a bath are completely waterproof. Here it is not at all required to follow the marking. It's all about physical properties optical fiber, which is able to conduct only the light waves themselves without electricity. Thus, the projector itself is located in another completely dry, and "tentacles" with luminous dots entangle the steam room and can even sink to the bottom of the pool.
As a result, we can say this is a solid set of undeniable merits:
- Ability to withstand heat up to +200 degrees Celsius... So the bath temperatures for such a lighting system are absolutely not scary;
- Lack of sharpness in the light spectrum allowing you to achieve maximum relaxation when visiting the steam room;
- Very low power, which allows you to significantly save energy. Many projectors have this setting as low as 1 W;
- Long service life;
- Wide possibilities for decorating the room... It can be multi-colored lighting of shelves, creating a night sky for or any other embodiment of your imagination.
Such a lamp fits perfectly into the bath. And although the prices for fiber optic are far from the lowest, you immediately get a set that will be enough for you for the whole steam room and for a very long operational period. For example, let's take a look at a small fiber optic kit with a VPL10L-E161 projector:
Option number 4: LEDs
LED lamps can be presented both in the form of ribbons, which can be placed under benches, in niches, in a baseboard or other semi-hidden places, like fiber-optic cables, and in the form of spotlights that can decorate open areas of the bath.
The advantages of such devices are enough:
- Energy saving;
- Wide range of color effects, allowing you to originally equip the steam room;
- High humidity resistance;
- Durability;
- Operational safety;
- Ease of installation work.
But LED waterproof lamps also have a serious drawback: do not tolerate high temperatures, which causes tangible problems when using them in steam rooms.
If you opt for LEDs, I recommend placing them at the bottom of the steam room. According to the law of physics, heat rises up, and, therefore, there they will have the most chances to survive the next bath day.
The wooden grill plays both a protective and a scattering function
In steam rooms, most often this function is performed by wooden lampshades.
The choice in favor of a tree is also quite clear:
- It is best combined with the rest of the interior of the steam room, which, as a rule, also predominantly consists of wood;
- Allows you to endow the frames with beautiful original shapes;
- It has a pleasant tactile sensation, which will be very useful if you still manage to get close to the lamp.
Conclusion
You have familiarized yourself with the requirements for bathroom lighting fixtures. We also learned about possible options lamps that can be installed in the steam room. The video in this article contains additional materials, and in the comments you can ask any questions on the topic.
When choosing a lamp for a bath or sauna, it should be understood that for a steam room it is not only a source of illumination, but also a way to create a relaxing atmosphere characteristic of this room. Therefore, when buying conventional or LED lamps for a sauna or bath, you need to pay attention not only to their specifications, but also on the appearance, and also on the brightness of the light stream. Remember that too bright a light will prevent you from relaxing normally, and too dark can provoke trouble. Ideally, the fixture should produce warm light with a slight yellow tint.
Today we will talk about LED and not only lamps for baths and saunas, about the features of the placement, you will also learn how to make a stylish lamp with your own hands and see photos of models of lighting devices for baths.
Basic safety requirements
To ensure your safety while taking a sauna and bath, as well as to protect others, lamps in the bath and sauna must be reliably protected from moisture, for this they are equipped with shades and are made of stainless material. Of course, in terms of aesthetics, it will not look very pretty, but you will be calm in terms of safety. As a decoration, you can use wooden lattice for lamps. The main characteristics that any lighting device, both LED and conventional, used in a bath or sauna should have, are:
- high quality of the product;
- resistance to high temperatures over 100-120 degrees;
- resistance to high humidity.
Lighting devices are installed in baths and saunas, as a rule, under the ceiling, so remember that the higher the temperature they can withstand, the better.
Classification of lamps for saunas
For baths and saunas, t These types of luminaires:
- appliances equipped with incandescent lamps;
- LED lights;
- fiber optic lighting systems.
Now let's look at each of these types in more detail.
Features of lighting baths and saunas with devices with incandescent lamps
Remember that in such luminaires, the body must perfectly tolerate high temperature loads and high levels of humidity. To protect the lamp itself from moisture ingress, you can use seals, with which you need to seal the space between the plafond and the body of the device. When choosing an incandescent lamp for a bath or sauna, remember that it must have a safety class of at least IP56.
For baths and saunas, incandescent lamps of no more than 60 W should be used, and lamps with higher wattage get very hot and pose a danger. Please note that in the sauna and steam bath, wooden walls are already well heated by the stove, and a lamp that is too hot can cause a fire.
LED lamps for lighting devices in baths and saunas
Unlike conventional lamps, LED lamps have the following advantages:
- reliability;
- safety;
- also LED bulbs are more economical;
- resistant to moisture.
Some LED bulbs will be safe even if exposed to water. However, LED lights have a drawback- it's too bright light. But if the LED devices are installed correctly and choose the right ones, there will be nothing wrong with such brightness.
Some models of LED lighting fixtures can change the brightness of the light stream and even its shade and are equipped with a special control panel. This will make your sauna or steam bath even more memorable. In addition, you can set the effect of the starry sky and other color effects.
Another disadvantage of LED lamps is their rather high cost.
Description of fiber optic lighting systems for saunas and baths
Fiber optic lighting systems perfectly safe regardless of the application environment. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that optical fiber is capable of conducting only waves of light, and not electrics. Thanks to these characteristics, they can be installed anywhere, for example, at the bottom of a pool in a sauna, and thus create an unusual light effect while swimming.
The key characteristics of fiber optic systems are:
- the ability to withstand temperatures up to 200 degrees;
- indistinct light, which allows you to relax as much as possible;
- profitability;
- durability;
- ease of installation.
If you choose between classic lighting, LED and fiber optic, then the latter option will be the most ideal, the first is the most economical.
How to properly place lamps in the bath
After you have decided on the type of lighting fixture, you need to install it. In each of the rooms of the sauna or bath installation must be done differently... Let's find out exactly how.
How to install lighting in a steam room
The most important rule when installing lighting in a sauna steam room is not to put the lighting device in the wrong place, that is, next to the stove, regardless of heat resistance and ability to withstand high temperatures.
You can put lamps in other places, it all depends on your imagination. The most optimal option is lamps above the ceiling, but they should be installed so that none of the baths and saunas sitting on the shelves bumps their heads on them.
Sometimes lamps are placed in the corner since they are rarely used, this is also a good place. It is also possible to place the horizontal device at the junction of the ceiling and wall. You can also make a corner decorative screen and glue the LED strip to a non-combustible base.
Appliances equipped with a ceramic base are suitable for a Finnish sauna, while others can quickly fail. But for a classic Russian bath, you can take any device made of heat-resistant material, while the base should be sufficient for use in high humidity, best of all, when it is made of the following materials:
- stainless steel;
- aluminum;
- heat-resistant plastic.
Installation of lamps in the sink
In this part of the sauna and steam bath it is not as hot as in the steam room, but the humidity level is quite high here, which, in combination with electrical appliances, can be dangerous. Therefore, choose appliances with the same protection class as for the bathroom. Washing room divided into three zones on the use of luminaires of different protection classes:
- the first zone is in close proximity to the water source, so water can get to the device in unlimited quantities. Devices must have a power of 12 V and a protection class of at least the fifth;
- the second zone is 60 cm from the water source, the protection class of the device is from 4 and higher;
- the third zone is relatively dry. The required class is 1 or higher.
Some saunas and baths are equipped with a room such as a relaxation room. Sometimes the level of humidity rises here, so the lighting fixtures that you put here must have at least a minimum class of protection against moisture.
Now let's find out what the light itself should be in a particular room of a bath or sauna:
- in the steam room, the light should be diffused; for this, LEDs and LED strips of diffused light are suitable. The devices themselves should be placed on the ceiling, on the backs and lower shelves;
- in the washroom, the light should be sufficiently pronounced, but not harsh;
- in the rest room, it is advisable to install devices with different light intensities and directions and place them according to the zoning principle.
How to make a lamp for a bath with your own hands
Probably everyone wants every thing in the interior of a sauna or bath to be unique and exclusive. Of course, you can find something original and unique on sale, but such a pleasure will be very expensive.
Therefore, if you dream of an exclusive model of a bath lamp, but are not ready to shell out a lot of money for it, make it yourself.
For work, you will need the following materials:
- wood left over from the interior decoration of the bath;
- glass;
- plywood;
- PET film with a temperature range of at least 120 degrees;
- LEDs;
- electrical insulating material Getinaks;
- aluminum tape;
- assembly glue;
- Super glue.
Now getting to work:
If it will be difficult to make a lighting device for a sauna or bath yourself, then choose products from famous brands that have proven themselves positively in the market. For example, Tylo and Harvia, manufacturers of heat-resistant luminaires from Finland, guarantee excellent quality. They are not cheap, but it will The best decision for the steam room.
But for other bath rooms, you can choose lamps that are more modest in terms of cost and characteristics. There are many companies that offer good products at reasonable prices, many of them are domestic producers. But when choosing, focus primarily not on the brand, but on the technical characteristics of the product. This way you can choose the best lighting fixtures for your sauna.
Lamps for baths and saunas
It was not for nothing that the expression "wash before dark" was used in Russia, since in conditions of high air humidity it was not possible to install torches or candles, and the windows themselves were always small so that as much heat as possible was not wasted. Currently, the market for lighting fixtures in general and lighting for baths in particular is oversaturated with various models, even the most demanding taste will find here a product to their liking.
Peculiarities
There are certain features of conducting lighting and electricity in the bath, much depends on the safety of the devices, as well as on other conditions - the temperature of the room and the humidity of the air. To summarize, we can come to the conclusion that in the dressing room these parameters are approximately identical to the parameters of the atmosphere that prevails in the bathroom in an ordinary apartment.
If the bath is designed in such a way that enough steam enters the room in front of the steam room itself for its accumulation or condensation, then during the wiring it is necessary to somehow indicate this place on the diagram.
The peculiarity is that here for effective work lighting fixture, only a model with a waterproof housing is suitable.
The modern market has several universal wiring options for laying in rooms with high humidity, they have a specialized design. However, the price of such materials is quite high, which is not profitable for those who are building a small steam room for themselves and their families.
In this regard, there is alternative solution problems based on the fact that the main point to pay attention to when wiring electricity, as mentioned earlier, is the temperature and moisture level in the room.
Previously, wiring in such conditions was laid in pre-prepared pipes, they were galvanized and completely covered with thermal insulation. You can use this method now, but the following conditions must also be met:
- when laying pipes, it is necessary to make sure that they are higher than all containers and pipes with water;
- there are hot elements in the room - stoves or other heating devices, it is necessary to lay electric lighting wires as far as possible from them;
- if the wiring is ordinary in terms of its properties, then before laying it along the pipe, it must be wrapped with a protective layer of fiberglass, the required thickness is about 2 mm.
We must not forget about the switches and sockets that we may need in the dressing room, it is better to install devices with a waterproof case there.
But in no case should contact and connecting devices be fastened in the steam room or in the room in front of it, they must be removed and installed outside - in a rest room or dressing room.
Varieties
There are a wide range of lighting products on the market, but not every model is suitable for a bath, since the difference in temperature and high humidity in the room is not up to every lighting device.
There are several main types of lamps for baths, among them there are waterproof, heat-resistant, LED, moisture-resistant, low-voltage, wireless, and so on. All must be told in order:
Halogen lamps
The most heat-resistant lamps are halogen. The power of such lamps ranges from 20 to 35 watts, the maximum heating for them will be 400 degrees. An important aspect is that the voltage used by the luminaires is not dangerous for people, and their contacts are protected from moisture. In addition, halogen lamps have a pleasant appearance, it is possible to select shades of different colors.
LED lights
LED lamps are one of the most economical and environmentally friendly lighting options, however, it is better to place them as low as possible in the steam room, since they are rather difficult to tolerate heat and moisture. Such lamps are often used as backlighting, they can be placed behind shelves, they can illuminate a room with different colors, since their spectrum is quite wide.
The room with LEDs will always be well lit, while such lamps do not consume a lot of electricity.
Elongated tubular LEDs are usually placed on the ceiling, it must be borne in mind that the concentration of steam and moisture there will be maximum, such lamps must be resistant to the specified conditions.
When purchasing waterproof lamps for a bath, several aspects must be taken into account:
- On the box or frame of the luminaire, you need to see information about how high the degree of protection of this model from moisture is, for this there is a certain international classification; an IP value of 45 or higher will be acceptable.
- In addition to the fact that the lamps must be moisture-resistant, they must also be heat-resistant - in the steam room, the air temperature can fluctuate from 60 to 120 degrees and the lamp must be designed for such temperature jumps; Well, for ceiling models, the standards are even higher, since they need to work at temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius.
It is important that the luminaires are sealed, otherwise moisture or water can get inside the device and disrupt its operation. Rubber and silicone are good sealants.
Fiber optic lamps
The best waterproof luminaires are fiber optic lamps. By purchasing a fiber-optic lighting device, you can be sure of its moisture resistance, even without paying attention to the degree of protection factor. This is possible due to the specific properties of the material; it is capable of passing only light waves through itself, but not electricity. These lamps can also be used in water tanks and swimming pools.
Also, the advantage of these lamps will be a rather soft light, which will help create a cozy atmosphere and relax.
Just like LEDs, fiber optic luminaires consume very little energy and have a long lifespan.
Models
When choosing different models of luminaires, you also need to build on where exactly it will be installed, the temperature and humidity of the air are also decisive factors on which they rely when looking for a suitable option.
If the light needs to be conducted in the steam room, then, the main thing is not to install it in a potentially dangerous place - near heating elements. A good option would be to place it on the ceiling or at the junction of walls.
Such placement is often underestimated, but in vain: the corner lamp will not only fit well into the interior, but also will not interfere with people sitting in the steam room and hurt their heads.
Models of horizontal lamps at the junction of the ceiling and walls can also be called a quite suitable option. A decorative screen for an angular or horizontal type of lamps can be purchased in a store or made by hand, then it will additionally be possible to install an LED strip in the corner of the steam room, and fix it to the wall using a non-combustible material.
By itself, the LED strip will look very advantageous in a bath, moreover, it is quite insensitive to high temperatures and does not require a lot of electricity to use.
If you want to be creative in decorating the premises in the bath, then you can make some lighting elements with your own hands. However, it should be understood here that we are not talking about self-assembly an electrical appliance, but rather about decorating an existing one, by creating additional elements. The interior of the steam room is often dominated by wooden materials, so making a lattice or lampshade made of wood will be a suitable stylistic solution.
Such wooden lampshades will not only have an aesthetic function, but will protect wall lamps from damage and direct ingress of water. In addition, with the help of the grill, the lighting will be softer, diffused - it will become even more comfortable and pleasant to be in the room. You should not worry about the material for the manufacture of such decorative elements, it is quite possible to use the leftovers that were not thrown away after the walls or ceilings of the bath, this will also help to maintain a single style concept.
However, if there is a desire to fill the steam room with aromas that contribute to relaxation and detachment from everyday problems, you can make an antique lampshade from larch or cedar, besides, these materials are also quite strong and durable.
In order to make a lampshade or grate yourself, you need to have elements for the frame and several small slats that will be fixed at the top and bottom of the finished product. Of course, when making a lamp, there are certain points that you should pay attention to:
- The size of the luminaire itself will dictate the length of the shade rail, there should also be no sharp corners, they need to be sanded or rounded, this is necessary, from a safety point of view, as well as to make it more aesthetically pleasing appearance product.
- The shape and type of the lattice will differ depending on the size of the lamp itself, for example, if we need a frame for a wall lamp, then it should be made in the form of a semicircle or rectangle; the grille for the corner luminaire will be made in the form of a trapezoid.
- It is best to mount such lamps with self-tapping screws, but, from a safety point of view, they must be hidden inside so that they do not harm when heated.
When lighting other rooms in the bath, you can use lamps with less stringent characteristics, traditionally the dressing room is decorated with a chandelier, which is located in the middle of the ceiling, or several lamps that are installed directly into the ceiling itself.
Modern models of chandeliers and lamps, stylized in antique style or the chosen concept, will look harmonious; such lamps can literally become a bright accent in the interior of the room.
Materials (edit)
There are various lamps on the market that can be installed in a sauna or bath, and if the model has already been chosen, then you need to think about the material from which such a device will be made.
Lighting of premises with the help of Himalayan salt... It is a material formed at the bottom of a lake that dried up about two hundred and fifty million years ago. This salt is unique in that it contains more than 90 minerals, and when heated, it releases particles that have a beneficial effect on human health.
It is thanks to these properties of the Himalayan salt that it began to be used in baths and saunas, and because of high density salt has become a building material - bricks are made from it, used as a decorative element or as a steam generator.
Popular and lamps made of himalayan salt, but often for baths, it rather acts as an independent building element, walls made of such salt, when the room is heated, create the effect of the sea coast. Such vapors contribute to the prevention and treatment of bronchitis and even asthma, negative salt ions contribute to air disinfection.
Any products made from Himalayan salt emit ions, however, at certain temperatures - more than 60 degrees Celsius, the air will be more saturated with useful substances.
It is also necessary to comply with the conditions for the required humidity in the room - no more than 50%, since otherwise the salt will absorb water, and this will be ineffective.
It is for this reason that the use of Himalayan salt is more profitable for a private bath, which is not designed for a large flow of visitors, in which the material cannot quickly damp. Even in an ordinary Russian steam room, you need to thoroughly ventilate the room after each use, wait for the walls to dry so that the salt does not lose its properties.
In general, the shell from which the lamp is made is very important, since it has several main functions: protecting the light source from harmful influences, making the light softer by diffusing it, which makes the steam room cozy. All these criteria are met by a lamp made of wood, it has undeniable advantages:
- a wooden lamp will go well with the atmosphere of the steam room, with the walls and ceiling, since they are often also made of wood;
- there is an opportunity, making such a lamp with your own hands, endowing it with an interesting shape, performing with a beautiful ornament;
- quite pleasant to the touch.
You can also install a ceramic lamp in the recreation area, that is, its base will be made of this material, resistant to temperatures.
You can use glass in decorating bath lighting, just do not put such lamps in the steam room itself - it is unsafe.
Accommodation options
As mentioned earlier, there is a fairly large number of different fixtures suitable for installation in baths and saunas. But each room has its own differences, respectively, and the corresponding parameters are selected for them:
In the steam room
In order to install the lamp in the steam room, you must first carefully approach its choice. The thing is that this is, one might say, the main room in the bath, it is saturated with steam, moisture and hot air. All these factors affect the selection of the luminaire; not every model meets such characteristics. In addition, too bright and contrasting lighting also does not speak in favor of certain types of lamps; for the holy of holies of the bath, soft light is needed to help relax.
Since the steam room has its own special microclimate, you can install the lamp in it only on the very top of the wall or at the joints - in the corners. This is due to the fact that the ceiling and walls are one of the hottest surfaces in the steam room, moreover, such an arrangement can be called comfortable, the light streams from behind and does not strain the eyes of those who relax in the bath. You can install fiber optic lights, then the lighting will definitely be soft and diffused, this will help you relax.
An important point is that such lamps have a high level of protection and are quite safe in rooms with high temperatures.
You can also choose LED lamps, they are heat-resistant, have several lighting modes and a rich color gamut, with them you can easily save energy, besides, LEDs have a long service life. But in any case, the lamps must be covered with a protective frame or a heat-resistant shade, and to create an entourage and additional protection, you can cover the light with a wooden lattice with a beautiful design.
Inside the bath, if the lamps are mounted on the ceiling, they must withstand a temperature of 250 degrees, but if on the wall, then less - at least 100 degrees Celsius.
Such lamps are made of heat-resistant material, ceramics or porcelain, the body is additionally strengthened, making it airtight.
In the washing room
Unlike the steam room, in the washing room, on the contrary, it is necessary to conduct a bright and powerful light, since this room is not intended for relaxation, it is necessary in order to wash after the steam room. It is for this purpose that a contrasting and sharp light is installed in the sink, but it still should not hit a person in the room in the face.
But here you also need to be careful, this room has a source of moisture, you need to protect lamps and wires from accidental ingress of water on them. The switch should be located outside the washing room to prevent water from entering there; for the same purpose, all lamps will have protective waterproof frames or shades.
In the dressing room
In the dressing room, lighting can be done by almost anyone, since the room does not have any special temperature drops and moisture concentration. The classic option would be a chandelier in the center of the room or several lamps that are mounted on the ceiling. The light from such lamps turns out to be bright, but does not hurt the eyes and, in general, creates a rather comfortable atmosphere in the room.
It is also possible to style the dressing room in a certain manner, then the lamps can be placed on the wall and made in accordance with the general concept of the interior.
In the rest room
In the rest room, just like in the dressing room, there is a certain humidity coefficient, therefore, when installing lamps there, you need to be sure that they will have at least protection class 1. Lamps for such rooms are quite ordinary, from 75 to 100 watts , you can also install ordinary lampshades or sconces.
For a sauna, in general, the same temperature difference is characteristic for lighting, it is worth paying attention to the classification of the international level of protection, making sure that the lamps are heat-resistant, heat-resistant and sealed.
