Hi we are about to fit an old iron bath and have heard that if they arent insulated the heat just escapes. Does anyone know what material would be best to insulate it? Polystyrene? bubble wrap? cork tiles? any good constructive hints, suggestions or tips you could offer? thanks
2007-11-12 08:28:16 · 6 answers · asked by jodeba66 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
A iron bath holds the heat and really does not need insulating.
2007-11-12 23:55:44 · answer #1 · answered by kenny 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bear in mind that it will be a wet environment, and you need to leave access to the pipes underneath... otherwise I would put panelling around it and use squirt-gun cavity wall insulation through a hole!
I would think about Aluminium foil glued on the underneath, and rubber insulation strips where the iron meets the floor and perhaps walls. That should reduce the radiated heat from beneath as well as conducted heat. Try not to leave big spaces underneath for the air to circulate, convection could make it lose heat as well.
In any event, a good part of the hot water you pump into the bath will go to warming up the iron, so I would make sure the enamel surfaces on the inside are true and thick... that's insulation in itself, or at least a poor conductor of heat.
2007-11-12 16:43:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean a cast iron clawfoot bathtub? If you do, do not insulate it. Here is a much better solution. Use Sterno to heat the tub. Sterno is what they use to keep buffet food hot. It comes in a can and you light it with a match.
When I had a clawfoot tub, I would fill it with the hottest water I could stand, then light a Sterno and slide it under the tub. Of course, use an insulated pot or pan counter protector. The Sterno will last about an hour and will keep the water as hot as when you filled the tub. It is absolutely wonderful to try this! A super hot tub/spa is what you will have made. And Sterno is only about a dollar.
2007-11-12 18:03:00 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
in the olden days folk used to stuff the area with old newspapers ..althoug this type of bath takes more to heat up it allso stays hotter longer
2007-11-12 16:58:50 · answer #4 · answered by boy boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rockwool.
Something that will mould itself around the curves.
2007-11-12 16:56:24 · answer #5 · answered by Pauline 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can buy expanding foam spray from a hardware store it will stick on and expand, when its dry cut off the excess.
2007-11-13 05:05:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋