How to choose stones for a bath.

Having erected a good-quality bath and installed a reliable strong stove in it, it is important to take care that during the manipulation of the broom in the steam room, uniform healing heat is maintained for a long time. The ability to accumulate and gradually release the warming heat into the space is possessed by special stones for the bath, which must be carefully selected based on the size of the room and your own needs. It is advisable to purchase them in specialized stores, where they are provided with certificates and guarantees. The question of how to choose stones for a bath is not easy and very important, because the effectiveness of the entire wellness procedure not least depends on their quality and basic properties.

Types of stones for a bath

There are a lot of varieties of stones that help create a truly healing steam and a special sauna atmosphere. The most popular of them are jadeite, gabbro-diabase, peridotite, porphyrite, white quartz, raspberry quartzite, talcochlorite and talcomagnesite. It is interesting that from this very extensive list, only expensive jadeite and quartz are actually minerals, and all the rest are rocks of volcanic origin. Mineral - the stone is more homogeneous in its composition, the rock, as a rule, includes a certain amount of impurities.

It should be noted that the stones for the bath are supplied in two versions:

  1. chipped,
  2. polished (bunded).

In the first case, the stones are preliminarily subjected to a mechanical procedure - crushing. In the second, after the rock has been split, they are additionally processed, due to which they acquire a rounded shape without sharp edges. It is believed that chipped stones have a much larger heating surface, which means they give off maximum heat and then steam. Bunks, on the other hand, facilitate the circulation of air in the stove, and the flue gases pass between them more freely.

Inexpensive and reliable gabbro-diabase and peridotite with a diameter of 100-130 mm are usually used as the bottom layer in the stove. Smaller stones - 70-90 mm - are placed in the middle. It is preferable to fill the top layer with small stones with a diameter of about 50 mm with pronounced healing and decorative properties - jadeite, raspberry quartzite. They are able to saturate the air with healing microelements.

However, every lover of the steam room, both experienced and beginner, selects stones for the bath to his taste, starting from their color, characteristics, healing effect. The table, which briefly describes the options most demanded by buyers, will help to determine the choice. It should be borne in mind that the cost of stones for a bath is influenced by their quality, properties and specificity, as well as the type of rock, the place of extraction, the complexity of this process. It is believed that the more impressive the price, the more beautiful and durable the stone, the higher its heat capacity and healing properties.

Advantages and disadvantages of popular types of stones for a bath

Type of stone Features Benefits, medicinal properties Approximate cost per 1 kg
Jadeite A rare semi-precious stone of a beautiful greenish shade, known since ancient times. Has a high cost. Afraid of open fire. It can be both boned (polished) and chippedIt has a large margin of safety and at the same time - low thermal conductivity, which allows it to give off heat as long as possible and keep the most useful "light steam". Does not split, does not crack, does not crumble, ionizes the air. Low water absorption. Not exposed to radiation. It does not lose its qualities for at least 5 years. A source of silicon in an easily digestible form. Has a pronounced tonic effect. It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, the condition of the skin and respiratory organs. Useful for allergy sufferers, hyper- and hypotensive patients, heart patients. Cleans water from microorganisms200-250 rubles.
Gabbro-diabase Used primarily as a bottom layer. Short-lived: may crack. Requires replacement approximately every two years. Supplied only chipped. Black color with minor inclusionsIt accumulates well and gives off heat for a long time. Creates a good microclimate. Durable, dense, resistant to high and low temperatures. Low water absorption. Affordable price10-20 rubles.
Peridotite (dunite) Used as the bottom layer. The color ranges from gray to deep blackHeats up very quickly and gives off a pleasant, soft warmth evenly. Withstands high temperatures well, so it can be used for several years. Able to disinfect and aromatize the air45-55 rubles.
Porphyrite When heated for the first time, it can emit a characteristic crackle, which then disappears. Gray with green and brown tintsGood heat capacity. Withstands multiple sharp temperature drops. Does not collapse when exposed to water. Affordable price. Indispensable for headaches, fights migraines. Good for the skin and respiratory tract10-20 rubles.
White quartz (white stone) When processed, it can give sharp chips, is afraid of open fireDurable, resistant to exposure to high temperatures (withstands about 1700 degrees). It emits ozone when the temperature drops sharply, which provides a beneficial effect for the body. It has a rejuvenating and restorative effect. Useful for the respiratory and cardiovascular systems50-60 rubles.
Raspberry quartzite (royal stone) It is very difficult to process, and therefore is supplied only in chipped form. Has a beautiful red-pink colorThick, reliable and durable. Withstands temperatures up to 2700 degrees. Due to its fine-grained structure, it does not have sharp chips, it is quite smooth. It has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system, normalizes blood pressure. Heals colds and joint diseases, removes salts from the body15-30 rubles.
Talcochlorite (soapstone, potting stone) Supplied both in boned (polished) and chipped... Over time, with active use, it can become porous and brittle, discoloration. "Dusty", which affects the quality of the bath procedureWithstands high heat (up to 1600 degrees). Strengthens the immune system, normalizes blood circulation, promotes weight loss. Improves the condition with osteochondrosis and rheumatism30-40 rubles.
Talcomagnesite (mammoth stone) Compositionally similar to talcochlorite, but considered more durableResistant to sudden temperature changes, heat resistant, will not crack or burst. High heat capacity. The dense structure does not allow moisture to penetrate deeply and destroy the stone. Environmentally friendly40-50 rubles.

Important properties of sauna stones

The quality of heat and steam depends on many nuances. When choosing stones for a bath, pay attention to their following characteristics, which directly affect the service life and effectiveness of procedures in a steam room:

1. Heat resistance - the ability to withstand significant temperature loads.

The higher it is, the better - otherwise the stones will simply crack and eventually split. Heat resistance indicates that both during heating and cooling, the stones for the bath will not lose their qualities.

2. Specific heat refers to how much heat a stone can absorb.

The higher this figure, the longer the oven will warm up the air, allowing you to enjoy bath procedures to the fullest. In addition, the stone must have the lowest possible expansion coefficient (due to heating).

3. Qualitative physicochemical composition is another important property.

It is desirable that the material is fine-grained, dense and homogeneous, without foreign particles and inclusions of other rocks. Heated stones, heterogeneous in structure and having a "mixed" composition, can crumble and even scatter into small pieces when cool water hits them, which endangers the visitors of the steam room. Also, when heating stones for a bath, they should not emit harmful substances into the air.

How to check the strength of stones? There are three ways to do this:

  1. hit each of them with a hammer,
  2. knock them against each other,
  3. heat them up and put them in cold water (ideal)...

Use and care

  1. Before placing stones in the oven for the first time, rinse each stone thoroughly with a stiff brush under running water.
  2. Do not heap stones in a shapeless heap and do not stack them too tightly to each other - air must circulate between them.
  3. Periodically conduct an audit in the bathhouse: at least twice a year, inspect the stones, remove cracked and began to crumble. Rinse the remaining stones and remove carbon deposits.
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