When choosing a backlight for a bath, you should take into account the operational characteristics of each room and design. This will allow the lighting elements to be installed correctly for safe and long lasting use. Content:
- Types of lighting in the bath
- Fiber optic lighting
- Starry sky
- LED Strip Light
Correct installation of lighting in the bath allows you to create the most comfortable environment, gives diffused light and relaxes. It is necessary to choose lighting elements for lighting the steam room, washing department and other auxiliary rooms, taking into account the specifics of the operation of each of them, as well as the location of the main lamps.
Types of lighting in the bath
When choosing the type of backlight, you need to take into account the thermal stability, tightness and moisture resistance of the devices. Lighting fixtures with a protection class of IP-54 and higher are suitable for a steam room.
The most common options for lighting in a bath are:
- LEDs … Due to the brightness and harshness of the light, they are usually installed behind wooden grates or under shelves around the perimeter of the room. LEDs can be strip and in the form of spotlights. This type of backlighting is very economical. With its help, you can create an original light pattern. In addition, LEDs are used as emergency lighting during power outages.
- Optical fiber … Differs in maximum safety, efficiency, soft lighting, compactness and durability. Such lighting devices withstand high temperature and humidity conditions (up to +200 degrees) and its drops. Fiber optic systems can be installed even on the ceiling in a steam room or pool. They are absolutely moisture resistant. In this case, the installation can be done independently. With the help of such lighting, you can create unique light combinations using multi-colored attachments with different lighting tilt. Among the disadvantages, one can single out the high cost.
It is important to choose the right light pattern that you want to achieve with the backlight so that it is in harmony with the design of the room. Lighting for baths and saunas can be hidden and open, you can also use white and colored light elements. The quality, ease of use and durability are distinguished by lighting fixtures of world famous manufacturers - Tylo, Linder, Harvia, Steinel.
In addition to traditional lighting fixtures, glowing stones can be used to illuminate the steam room. They are sold in building supermarkets, where you can choose any shape, size and color. As a rule, special heat-resistant stones are offered for the bath, which are based on LEDs. Placing them in the steam room will fill the room with a mysterious shimmer. Do not use traditional incandescent lamps as lighting devices for backlighting. With their help, it is difficult to create an interesting light pattern, and in the conditions of a steam room, they can quickly fail.
After you have decided on the type of lighting systems, consider the location of the elements. As a rule, in the steam room, the main light sources are placed in the corners, in the washing room, lighting devices are installed on the ceiling, in the dressing room and the rest room - if desired.
Installation of fiber optic lighting in the bath
The best option for bath rooms is fiber optic. It withstands harsh environments best (temperature and humidity) and produces subdued light. Having made a choice in favor of a fiber-optic system, you must first make a setup diagram and measure the total length of the backlight.
Further work is carried out in this order:
- We install the projector in the dressing room. It runs on a halogen lamp and passes light through a filter to cut off infrared and ultraviolet radiation.
- We connect the optical conductors-light guides and bring them to the steam room or washing department. They work on the technology of multiple light reflection.
- Attach attachments if necessary. They are usually presented in the form of crystals.
- We fix it in pre-marked places. Please note that you need to carefully monitor the radius of the bends. The diameter of the arc must be less than ten times the diameter of the thread. If the thread is 0.8 mm in diameter, then the bend should be a maximum of 8 mm. Increasing the bend will result in light loss in the arc.
Please note that it is better to use glass-clad fiber for use in steam rooms than PVC. It tolerates aggressive influences better.
Fiber optic starry sky in the bath
With the help of optical fiber, a light pattern is created on the ceiling, which is called the "starry sky". It can only be installed on a false ceiling. Since it is undesirable to install such structures in the steam room and the washing section of the bath, it is possible to create a starry sky only in the rest room. Such a ceiling will perfectly match the room.
We perform actions in this order:
- We make ceiling markings for installing metal profiles for drywall.
- We fix the controller on the ceiling.
- Drill holes 1, 5-2 mm in diameter in drywall sheets. In total, there should be about 80 holes for every square meter of the ceiling.
- We glue the fiber optic threads into the holes. At the same time, we insert a different number of threads into each hole to create the effect of natural twinkling: in some places the stars shine brighter, in others - dimmer.
- We fix the sheets of drywall to the frame. We leave a small hatch for access to the controller.
- We connect the fiber bundles to the controller.
- After the installation of the backlight is completed, the ceiling can be painted with acrylic paint.
To make the effect of the starry sky even brighter, you can fix a colored LED strip on the ceiling around the perimeter of the room, which will emphasize the "stars".
Installation of LED strip in the bath
The LED lighting for the sauna makes it possible to significantly improve the aesthetic appearance of the steam room, washing department and rest room. In addition, LED strips can be installed even in swimming pools. For this, you should choose a product with maximum moisture protection. The soft glow of such a diode illumination along the perimeter of the reservoir will create mesmerizing optical illusions in the water column. LED strip for use in bath rooms should not be open, but sealed (in a silicone case with IP-67 protection level). Most often, LED strips are installed along the entire length of shelves, benches, under the eaves, on the floor. They fix it in the following sequence:
- We calculate the maximum power consumption of the structure and find out the overall indicator.
- We install a power supply unit with a power reserve of 15-20%. It is better to fix it outside the washroom and steam room, like the switch.
- We connect the tape to the controller according to the designations B, G, R, V +.
- We degrease, clean and insulate the mounting surface.
- Remove the protective film and fix the LED strip. If it is necessary to cut off the device, we do this in strictly marked places with ordinary clerical scissors.
- We connect to the power supply, strictly observing the polarity.
As for the installation of LED strip in the pool, the principles of installation of light elements are the same.
Note! It is allowed to install LED lighting in the steam room, but you should carefully approach the choice of tape. It must be heat-resistant - for this, manufacturers cover it with heat-resistant silicone. How to make a backlight in the bath - watch the video:
[media = https://www.youtube.com/watch? v = hZ6XJdx_xIc] Editing the backlight allows you to maximize your creativity. Original lighting elements are ways to emphasize the design features of bath rooms. Instructions and a photo of the lighting in the bath will help you create a comfortable environment in the steam room, washing department and relaxation room.
