Bath font: interesting options and making it yourself

Everyone knows that the bath procedure includes two stages - warming the body with steam and washing. In Russia, they often add a “third element” - a short-term immersion in cold water. The temperature contrast increases the pleasure of a hot steam room and hardens the body.

The bathhouse owner inevitably faces the question: where to find a sufficient volume of water for such a bath? It's good to have an open body of water nearby. If you don't have one, you will need a pool or plunge pool.

Building a swimming pool is a complex and expensive undertaking. It is for this reason that hot tubs attract the attention of connoisseurs and bathhouse lovers.

Today, dozens of manufacturers offer bathing containers, using a variety of materials for their manufacture: from wood and plastic to stainless steel. We will talk about what types of bath tubs exist and whether it is possible to make such a design with your own hands in this article.

What is a font, how it works, variety of types

A font is a container in the form of a large barrel, which is made of wood, plastic or metal. A wooden bathhouse is an environmentally friendly and familiar option. But recently they began to use other materials for its manufacture.

Plunging into a round wooden font after a bath, a person feels unity with nature

The water in the bowl is cold. A person, heated in a bathhouse, receives a powerful charge of vivacity after diving into the font.

The shape of the font is:

• oval;
• round;
• square;
• rectangular;
• angular (triangular with a rounded side).

Wooden structures fit better into the interior of a Russian bathhouse. In addition, they are safe in a hot room, unlike metal ones, and retain the original temperature of the poured water longer.

Based on the type of material, structures are divided into:

• wooden;
• concrete;
• plastic;
• metal.

A wooden font is best suited for a bath, harmoniously combining with wooden walls and floors.

Natural material in these designs is preferable to artificial one, since it not only attracts in appearance, but also has many healing properties. Three main tree species are used to make classic hot tubs. Their rating is as follows:

1. Cedar - its wood releases a large amount of essential oils that have healing properties. The water in this design is saturated with phytoncides and gently cleanses the skin.
2. Larch - this material, even for high temperatures in a sauna, is considered the most suitable and durable, practically not rotting. Releases aromatic components into the air that help lower blood pressure.
3. Oak - its dense wood, in contact with water, releases tannins that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
4. Beech, pine and birch are used in rare cases.

Single oval design made of oak slats, suitable for cold rinsing

Based on preferences for use, the font is built in different sizes: the container is designed for simultaneous immersion of one or several people. If desired, the design can be equipped with additional elements:

• bench;
• stairs;
• filter for water purification;
• heating mechanism;
• hydromassage

The Ofuro bath is sometimes partially covered with a lid so that the heat from the heated water does not escape outside

The font is also used not only for cold ablutions, but also as a hot bath. To do this, space is separated in the barrel for the heating device or installed outside. The heater maintains the desired water temperature. Such structures are placed outdoors and used in summer and winter.

A conventional boiler or an electric one can heat the water in the font.

The font is also made of bricks, stones or filled with concrete. And sometimes they use ready-made plastic bowls and line the outside with various materials. Some structures are lowered below floor level, turning them into a mini-pool.

A plastic font can later be lined with decorative materials and made the main decoration of the bathhouse

Bucket for dousing

A dousing font, also called a dousing device, can bring a lot of pleasure. To do this, attach a wooden tub to the wall of the bathhouse, movably mounted on the wall above head level. They pour cold water into it and tip it over themselves by pulling the rope. Such a cold stream falling on the head perfectly trains the cardiovascular system and strengthens the nerves. This is the cheapest, easiest and fastest way to organize hardening procedures after visiting the bathhouse.

Pouring bath font

This is the same tub of cold water that does not spoil the mood, but brings true pleasure! Take care of your health!

Photo gallery: different types of fonts

The font, lined with bricks below the floor level, can be well decorated with oriental-style mosaics

The font, which does not take up space in the room, is decorated with tiles and lighting

The wooden model harmonizes perfectly with the interior lining of the bathhouse

The electric hot tub is made with heating and a hydromassage system

An external heater is connected to the plastic hot tub: it is safer and does not take up space

In the bathhouse you can place a wooden font with internal heating, but only separate it with a partition

Accessories

Of course, a tall barrel will require a ladder, steps, both outside and inside. The area does not always allow you to place sun loungers nearby, a bench for relaxing, folding towels (clothes) - an important attribute in the arrangement.

Modern water tanks can be equipped with smart technology: heating and filtration systems. The services of a contrast plunge pool can be supplemented with hydromassage and a waterfall, which helps you relax as much as possible. A practical accessory is a drain.

What material to choose for assembling the font

You can build a structure yourself from concrete, wood or polypropylene sheets. Factory hot tubs are also made of plastic, steel or cast iron. To choose the right material, you should know the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

Concrete structure

A similar bathing container is displayed both inside the bathhouse building and in the open area. The depth, width and length of the bowl are chosen depending on personal preferences.

It is advisable to decorate the walls with waterproof material: mosaics, ceramic tiles or cover them with film. For ease of descent, an iron ladder is fixed or monolithic steps are brought to the edge.

By following the rules for pouring concrete, it is easy to build a durable and comfortable structure with a unique design. It will be complemented by a mini-waterfall or hydromassage mechanism, and will be decorated with LED lighting.

A concrete font can be placed indoors, sunk into the floor

When building a concrete font, it is important to install a high-quality water supply and drain it. All connections are checked for leaks. Ceramic tiles or mosaics are laid in accordance with the process technology so that during use of the structure the decorative finish does not fall to the bottom.

Disadvantages of a concrete font:

• a large amount of preparatory work - excavation of soil for a foundation pit, installation of formwork, reinforcement, pouring and compacting concrete mortar, laying waterproofing material, installing water drainage;
• production time - concrete completely sets and hardens in about 30 days;
• unsafe operation - the lining is slippery, which requires care and compliance with safety measures at the time of immersion and exit.

A concrete font will last a long time if it is built according to all the rules and high-quality materials are used.

Video: construction and operation of a sauna font made of brick and concrete

Hot tub made of fiberglass and polypropylene

A plastic container is suitable for those who do not want to spend time decorating the walls. Most often they are made in blue or green, the bottom is decorated with a pattern. Such factory fonts are cast in various shapes and sizes. The optimal depth is from 1.2 to 1.4 m. The volume depends on the dimensions - 0.95–2.65 m3. Walls 5–12 mm thick.

The service life of a polypropylene product is about 50 years. Plastic does not fade in the sun and does not lose its seal due to sudden changes in temperature.

In such a font you will need to install a faucet and a connecting pipe to the water supply and sewerage pipes. To prevent the bowl from being crushed under the weight of water, it is equipped with stiffening ribs on the outside. It is possible to install lighting, shelves, stairs and other parts. Water heating is carried out using an external heating device: a wood-burning or electric stove.

A plastic font is quickly installed and does not require additional sealing of the walls

Installation of a plastic font is carried out in a short time. Before deepening the container into the pit, you will need to concrete the bottom and walls. Insulation is mandatory. Around the structure you need to build a wooden podium on a metal frame. There is no need to wait for the concrete to completely harden: after removing the formwork, you can already install the plastic bowl. The surface of the plastic, if desired, is covered with a special anti-slip layer.

In the case of ground-based installation, such a font is decorated with wood.

A plastic hot tub, lined with slats on the outside, takes on the appearance of a wooden container and fits perfectly into the interior of the bathhouse.

Such a plastic liner extends the service life of the wood. The advantage is that such a structure does not need to be additionally treated with sealants, and the water can not be drained for several days.

To clean plastic, use any non-abrasive detergent, but without chlorine, otherwise the coating will be damaged.

Metal font

Metal structures are rarely installed in bathhouses due to the complexity of their installation. More often there are vats made of cast iron or steel, suspended on a chain to a tripod made of logs, taken outside the room. The water is heated slowly using a fire built under the bottom, and then drained through a pipe at the bottom of the product. River pebbles or shield flooring are placed at the bottom of the bowl to prevent burns.

A steel font is suspended on a stable structure with the possibility of heating water from below

In some cases, a “floor” recessed installation of a metal vat is carried out. Then the fire will have to be built on the side of the bowl. For the recessed version, a concrete base is also poured.

But such bathtubs are heavy and expensive: a design measuring 2x0.73 cm costs at least 200 thousand rubles, and the weight of the product is more than 1200 kg.

Wooden font

The main advantages of a wooden font:

• environmental friendliness;
• aesthetic appearance;
• procedures with benefit;
• aroma of the material.

If we compare the cost of structures, wooden ones cost 2-3 times more than plastic ones. For example, a bowl made of larch measuring 1.2 x 0.7 x 1.1 m will cost 45 thousand rubles, and a round container made of oak measuring 1.5 x 1.3 m will cost 110 thousand rubles. The average cost of a cedar barrel is 70 thousand rubles, and a plastic one is within 20 thousand rubles.

If you want to save money, make the design yourself. However, in this case, carpentry equipment, fasteners, a special adhesive mixture and skills in working with wood will be necessary.

To preserve the appearance and service life of the structure, it is important to follow these recommendations:

• do not keep an empty font under the sun - the wood will burn out and dry out;
• do not place it near heating sources - installing the structure on a heated floor system leads to drying out of the wood. Make an insulating platform from a plywood sheet with a layer of polystyrene foam and rubber gaskets;
• After bathing, drain the water to prevent green mold from forming;
• in cold weather, leave unused outdoor structures dry so that water does not freeze and destroy the wood;
• to clean walls, use liquid cleaning mixtures and a soft cloth;
• Once every 30 days, check the tension level of the hoops and tighten the nuts if necessary;
• Do not leave the container unused for a long time - the wood begins to deform and dry out. If the barrel has not been used for too long, soak it first in cold water.

The outside of the font also needs to be looked after using wood care products.

Fonts made from wooden boards are divided into 2 types according to the manufacturing method: those connected without glue and those connected using glue and a layer of varnish for protection. The optimum moisture content of the material is 8–10%. The slats are connected to each other using a tongue-and-groove type.

Adjacent slats should be connected using the tongue-and-groove method - such fastening is considered reliable

The joints are treated with a moisture-resistant adhesive mixture. The bottom is installed in the transverse recess of the lamella, and their connection is covered with a moisture-resistant sealant.

If we talk about the benefits of wood, then the healing effect is achieved only in a font made without glue. However, glue barrels have a longer service life and can be used intermittently without causing damage to the product.

Video: making a homemade outdoor swimming pool from a PVC membrane

DIY mini-pool

To create a font with your own hands from scrap materials you need:

• Ensure absolute tightness of the container. It is necessary to adjust the wood slats so delicately that the parts fit together as accurately as possible without gaps.
• The wood must be cut according to the instructions, and a router must be used along the edge so that there is a groove at one end of the board and a tenon at the other. This is exactly how you need to adjust and join the parts of the future font without gaps. Thus, with your own hands you create a barrel for a bath - a font.
• Laying the boards on the bottom is easy. Follow the algorithm described above. Make sure that the joints are strong: there should be no gaps or cracks.
• Then you can start assembling: first we start creating the bottom. We connect the slats into a shield and fasten them with special glue. After this, we cut out a circle of a suitable size from the shield.
• Then we create a future drain for water and install a siphon. But if you do not have a sewer system and are going to remove water with a pump, feel free to skip this step.
• After this, pause. The glue needs time to properly saturate the boards.
• Next stage: assembling the walls. Connect the slats together so that the rectangular groove fits into the bottom of the container from the inside. Adjust all boards as accurately and tightly as possible using a rubber hammer.
• Tighten the slats with strips of metal (three pieces at the same distance). You can tighten it using bolts or nuts.
• Install the structure on a perfectly straight plane in the bathhouse. Sometimes it is collected immediately indoors.
• Stoves for hot tubs can be made with your own hands or purchased in a store.
• Then you need to sand the surface with sandpaper to create a smooth and safe surface.
• Attach a ladder with steps and be sure to check their strength.
• The finished structure is checked as follows: filled with cold water and left for several hours. If everything goes according to plan, the water is drained and the container is dried. But if a leak is detected, it is necessary to tighten the metal rims more tightly.

Tips for choosing material

When purchasing wooden blanks for self-assembly of a hot tub, it is important that the material has the following qualities:

• excellent appearance;
• high strength;
• rot resistance.

Oak and pine are more susceptible to rotting. And Siberian larch has high biostability and gains strength every year. A larch font is cheaper than an oak structure. This is due to minimizing waste when processing lumber.

The most preferred option for constructing a font is Siberian larch wood

But oak is also a high-quality material and has significant advantages: beautiful appearance, high strength, and a structure made from such a material does not deform.

Disadvantages of an oak font:

• blackness periodically appears on the walls;
• the outside of the wall must be lubricated with linseed oil - this will emphasize the texture of the wood and increase the service life;
• it cannot be installed on concrete - you need to use rubber pads several cm thick;
• it must be moved carefully, placing thin rolling logs so as not to damage the bottom or lower parts of the planks.

Pine wood is cheaper than others. Procedures in such a font are pleasant and useful - pine contains many phytoncides. To prevent cracking of the material, when making a pine barrel, the lamellas are not glued together. And to extend its service life, it is enough to burn the wood once every 3 years or coat it with an antiseptic.

To strengthen the outer layer of wood, the pine font should be fired from time to time.

Spruce structures are inferior to pine ones both in terms of the benefits of the procedure and in the quality of the material. It is also not recommended to use alder, aspen, ash and linden wood. Cedar is inferior in strength to larch, but its cost is higher.

So, the preferred option is pine or larch. Select the color of the product taking into account the color scheme of the bathhouse lining. Before first use, the walls of the font should be coated with a layer of primer and painted.

The hoops that hold the font together are made of stainless steel. Pay attention to their fit to the wood. The adjustment bolts should fit tightly in the holes and not wobble.

The hoops pull the barrel together in several places, giving the structure strength and stability.

An important stage in the construction of the font is the execution of facing work. Correctly selected material and accessories will create a complete image. There are 2 options for materials for cladding any structure: wood and mosaic (or ceramic tiles).

If you plan to cover the font with wooden elements, then choose parts treated with wax. Combine the appearance of the font harmoniously with the interior of the bathhouse itself.

Calculation of material for a wooden font

The optimal thickness of the slats is 35–50 mm.

For a glue-free method of fixing parts, prepare:

• boards, slats;
• large metal clamps;
• polypropylene pipes;
• siphon for draining water;
• beam;
• nails;
• sealant;
• bolts;
• durable cord;
• float mechanism;
• hose.

You will also need tools:

• hacksaw;
• building level;
• electric drill;
• roulette.

Before starting work, draw up a schematic representation of the structure with exact dimensions and number of parts.

A diagram of the font indicating the dimensions of the parts will allow you to determine how much material you need to buy for its manufacture

Draw out the diagram in different projections - this will allow you to calculate the dimensions of all parts: walls, stairs, bottom and other parts. The staircase is decorated with flat steps or rungs made of wood. If you are planning a portable ladder, then calculate the height of its attachment to the edge of the font.

You will need:

1. Slats - for cladding.
2. Wood with a section of 120x20 mm - for the main parts. The extreme parts of the planks will be processed. Their length is equal to the height of the font (usually 1 m in height and 1.2 m in diameter). Calculate the number of boards.
3. Beam 100x100 mm or 150x150 mm - for stands. The length of the parts depends on the size of the oval font.
4. Metal strips and bolts for fastening boards. Take iron that is strong and pliable.
5. Self-tapping screws - for external fixation of elements in the lower part of the font (no iron parts are placed inside the structure!).

Concrete

The concrete structure is no different in reliability from a polypropylene bath font, but it can be made independently in the desired shape.

Durable containers can be repaired with your own hands and used for aesthetic design using a variety of decorating and finishing materials at your discretion.

Decorating Tips

Use sandpaper to sand the wooden container inside and out, paying special attention to the edges of the walls: smooth out small flaws, prime. After the primer has dried on the outside, sand it, oil it and coat it with varnish or paint.

To finish other types of fonts, mosaics, ceramic tiles, and PVC film coating are used. The last option allows you to save money. Sometimes a deep font is made in bathhouses, if the structure of the room allows. The deepened bowl is more attractive and looks like a swimming pool.

The recessed font has an attractive appearance and does not take up space

It is easy to get in and out of, and only a small amount of materials is required for finishing. However, it will not be possible to move a deep font from one place to another.