The bathroom is a special room in any house or apartment, which requires the use of unusual materials for its decoration, primarily resistant to constant exposure to water and high temperatures. Wood, widely used in the interior decoration of domestic and residential premises, often does not find use in the bathroom. Is this fair? We will try to answer this question to what extent it is relevant. wood in the bathroom.
In modern hardware stores you can easily find items made of wood that could be placed in the bathroom. Examples could be not only various wooden cabinets, shelves and other fixtures, but even a wooden bathtub. Wood in the bathroom can also be used to decorate both the floor and the walls. However, many developers are not entirely sure of the advisability of using this material in the bathroom. The main reason is the special characteristics of wood.
Bathroom with wooden walls
First of all, the wood must be adequately protected from harmful factors, mainly moisture. If this is not done, the wood will begin to deform, the boards will bend, which will accelerate their destruction. It is not difficult to ensure correct pre-treatment of wood, since there are many special preparations on the market, the use of which guarantees protection of the material from destruction. Despite this, wood in the bathroom never found its use.
Wood in the bathroom interior
Wood is the most common finishing material. Its color, texture and warmth will never go out of style. Most modern people have difficulty imagining its combination with water, considering the combination incompatible.
The materials we are used to (metal, tiles, plastic, ceramics) began to be used relatively recently, although earlier humanity used wooden troughs, barrels, and tubs for centuries. Today, such bathroom interiors and other natural attributes are again becoming in demand.
Rustic bathroom design Source deavita.net
The assumption that wood is not the most optimal material for a bathroom is irrelevant today. Modern processing methods make it possible to create a quality that is completely resistant to water. And for those who continue to doubt, there is the possibility of using analogues: tiles, stone, PVC.
Types of finishing materials
Solid wood products have their own advantages. Despite the fact that they demonstrate the richness of natural structure, they also have environmental friendliness and thermal insulation. With their help, you can not only transform your bathroom, but also make it more comfortable.
In the era of high technology, high-quality processed wood becomes resistant to water.
Each manufacturer has its own way of protecting wood. But there is one, the most famous: during the processing of the material, wood resin is impregnated with other, special compounds that prevent rotting. And after impregnation, they are covered with seven layers of varnish.
Along with varnished steel, boards with an oil and wax coating are produced. Manufacturers guarantee an unlimited service life of these products.
Types of wood such as teak or African iroko are distinguished by excellent hardness and resistance to deformation. The oils they already contain make their hygroscopicity extremely low. This ensures absolute moisture resistance.
Traditionally, the following is used for finishing:
- beech (light with a reddish-yellow or gray tint),
- oak (light to yellow-brown)
- pine (light yellow),
- larch, maple, jatoba and ash.
We suggest you familiarize yourself with the Dimensions of PVC panels for bathroom walls
The strength and moisture resistance of these species allow manufacturers to produce wall panels and floorboards specifically for wet rooms. Despite this, such products require special protection before their direct use.
Glued wood also has good moisture resistance and is often used for finishing wet rooms. Moreover, it is completely ready for installation, without additional processing. During installation, it fits tightly together without much effort.
Veneered boards resist moisture much better. It is made from moisture-resistant plywood or chipboard and covered with veneer.
If we choose wood-look tiles: finishing and material features
Bathroom interior in wood Source minionhome.blogspot.com/
For most of us, tiles are the optimal, and most importantly, unpretentious option for finishing a wet room. Thanks to a wide variety of textures and colors, you can achieve an incredible interior. Using a unique alternative cladding method, it is quite possible to realize a wide variety of ideas.
The most common types of tiles used for bathrooms are 3 types:
- Ceramic (tile) - made of clay, sand and binding elements. There are two types: unglazed and glazed, characterized by a long service life.
- Porcelain tiles are the perfect imitation of wood. The composition includes white clay, sand and dyes.
- Quartz vinyl tiles, which contain quartz sand and connecting friction clutches. It has relative flexibility, heats up quickly, which can be considered the best option for a floor equipped with a heating system.
Modern design solution Source mr-build.ru
Where can I use it?
Wood-toned tiles are used almost everywhere in the bathroom. Using this unpretentious finishing material, the most daring and original ideas can be realized. For example, the following options can be given:
Wall decoration with wood Source goldenart.com.ua
- Wall tiles with imitation wood print, texture and embossing are an unpretentious but unique finishing option. An individual design solution can be selected thanks to a wide range of colors and textures.
Module illumination Source www.admonter.eu
- The best choice of floor tiles would be porcelain tiles, which have an optimal combination of price and quality. Thanks to the relief texture, which replicates natural wood fibers, the surface is no different from real wood, reminiscent of parquet.
Wood-effect tile countertop for the bathroom Source design-homes.ru
- A table top made of mosaic or regular wood-look tiles will look chic. The coating takes on an aesthetic and neat appearance.
Bathroom design with wood tiles Source novosibirsk.studia-dizaynov.ru/
- The lining of the shower enclosure, made of glossy or matte tiles, will create the impression of a small sauna. The pallet is most often finished with a material with a pattern and texture reminiscent of a parquet board.
White bathroom with wood elements Source www.houzz.com
- The screen is decorated with dark shades that imitate exotic types of wood or classic light colors that create a warm atmosphere in the room.
Wood ceiling decoration Source www.decorsnob.com
- The bathroom ceiling, decorated with wood-like tiles, will preserve the aesthetics of the room for a long time. Only glazed ceramics are selected that are not afraid of exposure to moisture and hot vapors.
Finishing a bathroom with wood has its own nuances. Are as follows:
- When choosing a floor covering, pay attention to the percentage of strength, moisture resistance and anti-slip properties.
- Contrasting grout will highlight the appearance of the cladding.
- For a small room, it is recommended to use light colors: bleached oak, maple, ash. This will visually increase its area.
Features of wooden countertops for bathroom sinks
Wood is a favorite material for making furniture. Technologies allow us to show the beauty of the material, the natural texture of the cut, as well as the color of natural wood.
The durability of such a countertop depends on the manufacturing technology and operating conditions.
When choosing a wooden countertop, you should study what types are used for these purposes, what are the advantages of each type of wood.
Such a design for a bathroom should not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also resistant to moisture and mold. Modern technologies make it possible to achieve these parameters.
Let's take a closer look at the advantages:
- wood shades provide noble tones for the bathroom;
- the natural texture of the wood cut shows the nobility and sophistication of a material that only seems simple;
- each interior using wooden structures becomes unique and shows the noble taste of the owners of the interior;
- wooden texture is combined with stone, faience, ceramics and metal;
- with proper use, a wooden countertop for a sink will last for decades;
Instead of a cabinet under the sink or the usual shelves, today a horizontal surface is installed that can be used as a large table
Color of tiles with wood texture: beige, wenge and others
Wood-effect tiles in the bathroom Source design-homes.ru
A bathroom finished with wood in a light or brown tone is the most popular finishing option. They may have a shade of exotic wood: wenge, mahogany, rosewood.
The uniqueness of the idea lies in the fact that, for example, wenge in the interior is combined with many styles. Established classics, modern high-tech, minimalism, modern or something else - they will all become one, unified and original solution.
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.
Cool ideas for decorating bathrooms and toilets with wood
Scandinavian style looks impressive, and wood in the bathroom interior looks even cooler. We present an overview of 10 such finishing options:
Toilet on the attic floor Source design-homes.ru
- The dream of many is a bathroom decorated with wood, located on the attic floor.
Country style Source hihetetlen2.rssing.com/
- A combination of rustic style, executed in an unpretentious, at first glance, rustic genre.
Interior of a combined bathroom with wood effect Source www.houzz.de
- Small bathroom. Eco style.
Exposed beams Source mrsw.co.uk/
- Combination of wood and stone in the bathroom interior.
Bathroom in a country house Source muravel.ru/
- Spa-style room made of clapboard and ceramic tiles.
Bathroom in a log house Source interier.zzz.com.ua/
- Small bathroom of a wooden house.
Bathroom in loft style Source www.0412.ua
- Modern bathroom, chalet style.
Wood decoration Source www.spatiulconstruit.ro
- Strict modern classics.
Light wood Source vip-1gl.ru
- A room decorated with imitation timber.
Bathroom interior in a wooden house Source kb.blackbookvillas.com/
- Wenge in combination with stained timber.
Rustic bathroom
Rustic style refers to natural beauty infused with rugged elegance. The finishing option is suitable for those who are tired of the everyday bustle of the city and the problems of the surrounding world. Fills the room with untreated wood, natural stone, metal. Combined materials create an indescribable impression, creating a wonderful interior of the Middle Ages and grace.
Classic rustic is built on simple minimalism, reminiscent of a country house that existed several hundred years ago. The modern vision blends the old with the new to create a fresh, functional style.
Country style bathroom Source www.houzz.com
Combined stone and wood walls and a log ceiling with the addition of graceful furniture create an irresistible rustic bathroom. Even if the rest of the rooms are designed in a strict modern style, in combination with them, the use of rustic here only benefits.
Spa style bathroom
The spa is designed for mental relaxation and tranquility. To create one in your bathroom, you need to organize the space so that it meets all the principles of relaxation. Elements are added that will help not only relax the body, but also the eyes. One of these parts is wood.
Bathroom with dark furniture Source www.houzz.com
A mirror is an indispensable element of the bathroom. By placing it in a natural wood frame, you will add all the missing touches. Don't forget about additional accessories: a few calming pictures will speed up the body's recovery process.
Wooden sink and bathtub
Bathtub and sink made of wood Source www.architonic.com
By installing a wooden sink and bathtub instead of acrylic, ceramic or metal, you will get an environmentally friendly, wear-resistant and incredibly effective solution. In terms of its originality, it surpasses stone and glass, and in terms of ease of use, it surpasses all other options. From the long list of advantages, the following can be noted:
- Spectacular appearance with stunning decorative qualities and rich texture.
- Lifetime. Only the manufacturer's warranty is 5 years; in practice, wooden bathtubs and sinks last 2 and even 3 times longer. Such timing is the envy of any metal or acrylic, which will turn yellow within a year from the moment of installation.
- A universal combination with many interior styles.
Of the shortcomings, the most significant are 3 factors:
- High price. Prices for the simplest baths start from 350,000 rubles.
- Heavy weight. While this is not a problem for a sink, a wooden bathtub filled with water places a significant load on the foundation and floor slabs. Especially if it is installed on the second floor.
- A prerequisite is periodic restoration. It is recommended to perform it once every 3-4 years.
The process of making a wooden bathtub or sink is similar to building a house. It is assembled from small strips according to a principle similar to brick masonry walls. Only selected, dried materials are used. The lamellas are glued together with a special glue, after which they are impregnated with polymer compounds that increase their service life and allow them to withstand high humidity. At the final stage, the product is treated with a protective coating, making it even more reliable and durable, suitable for daily use.
How to protect wood?
Regardless of whether we are talking about a wooden bathtub, wall or floor decoration, in any case, it is necessary to properly take care of protecting the material. The main measure is to coat the wood with appropriate impregnation. This stage is very important, since impregnation protects the wood from moisture, mold or mildew.
The best way to protect wood from moisture are oil-based impregnations. Oils penetrate well into the structure of a wooden surface, and, therefore, protect it well from the effects of temperature and water. In addition, wooden walls or floors can be coated with a special protective wax.
The method of laying wooden finishing materials on walls and floors is also of great importance. The type of glue is especially important here. It’s not worth skimping on the quality of this component.
Wood-look porcelain tiles
In the price-quality category, ceramic tiles with wood imitation are considered the best option. This is not an ordinary floor tile, but a durable ceramic parquet that does not have glaze on its surface. It has increased wear resistance, which allows it to be used in rooms with high humidity. A wide range of colors, textures and sizes opens up the opportunity to bring the most daring design solutions into reality.
Dark wood tiles in the bathroom Source thriemalee.com/
Unusual forms Source www.75c.com.ua
When choosing wood-look porcelain tiles, pay attention to the product labeling. Classified into three categories:
- "PEI" - wear resistance. At its maximum, it is designated by the Roman five. For a bathroom, a parameter not exceeding values III-IV will be sufficient.
- “R” - the value of the friction coefficient in this situation is one of the key ones. A slippery floor can cause injury, so you should pay special attention to the number next to this letter. The maximum value for a given characteristic is 13, which means it can be used in swimming pools, showers, and bathrooms. For other residential premises, an indicator of 11-12 is sufficient.
- "A" or "AA" is the criterion to rely on if the tiles will be installed on surfaces that are frequently treated with cleaning chemicals.
Bathroom design with a wooden bath Source nusantarafood.me
Other decorative products
All coloring compounds completely cover the natural grain of the wood. But what to do when the design of the bathroom involves preserving the wood in its original form? For these cases, there are also products that can be used to paint the walls in the bathroom.
- Wax natural paints. They are made on a linen base and are well absorbed into the wood, making it impermeable to water. Clear or tinted liquid wax creates a beautiful matte finish, making it waterproof.
- Wood oil. It is based on natural oils with additives that form a vapor-permeable coating protected from moisture. However, the coating requires regular updating at least once a year.
- Stain. Paints the surface in the color of various types of wood, preserving the natural texture of the wood. To give the coating water-repellent properties, it is additionally treated with drying oil. But you need to take into account that some types of drying oil are not suitable for indoor use due to their high toxicity. The best, in terms of protective properties and safety, is drying oil based on alkyd resins.
