The best completion of bath procedures is considered to be a half-hour rest in the air. An outdoor heated plunge pool will help relieve stress and improve muscle tone after a heavy load, no matter whether this was a consequence of visiting a Russian bathhouse, or whether you simply need rest after a hard day. Recently, an outdoor bathhouse has become as desirable an attribute as a contrast shower or diving into an ice hole.
Plastic hot tub on wood
Subtleties of the procedure
The stress on the heart increases in a hot steam room. Not everyone can immediately dive into an ice hole. The font after the bath brings the body back to normal. Immersion in warm water smoothly reduces blood pressure and heart rate. The muscles relax pleasantly. An outdoor font reinforces the healing effects of bath procedures.
Time spent in a heated plunge pool is the best way to end a winter weekend. After skiing and sledding, hot water relieves fatigue. A jog in the cold in swimming trunks and slippers is invigorating. The moment of immersion in the font is pure bliss.
A cap of warm air forms above the surface of the water. This allows you to spend time in the font in any weather. Eucalyptus or juniper extracts are added to the water to prevent runny nose. After the bath, immerse yourself in the font for 30 minutes. Then it is recommended to take a break, return indoors, drink herbal tea.
The outdoor procedure takes 2-3 hours with breaks. This time has the same effect on the body as visiting a sauna. The healing and relaxing effect is noticeable. The effort spent on preparing a heated font will be worth it.
Types of outdoor hot tubs
Outdoor spa pools and hot tubs are manufactured by various companies. They differ in purpose, materials of manufacture, shape and size. In total, there are 3 main groups of such hydromassage baths.
Inflatable. They are very easy to install, take up little space on the site, and their price is not bad at all. Of course, unlike portable and stationary models, they do not look as presentable, but with the correct design of the recreation area, they fit harmoniously into the landscape.
Interested in inflatable hot tubs?
can find
detailed information about the pros and cons, as well as a review of manufacturers, Stationary. These models go deep into the ground during installation. The entire hydraulic system that ensures the functionality of the product is located under the bowl or in the technical room. Depending on the circulation of water, stationary models are divided into: overflow (they have a simpler design, there is no high pressure) and skimmer (water is supplied under pressure through nozzles).
They can be used all year round. This is very useful since most people like to enjoy swimming in hot tubs when there is already snow all around.
Portable. They are installed outdoors or indoors - the main thing is that communications can be made. If desired, they can be used outdoors even in winter, as they are heated.
Such fonts combine mobility and solidity. They are installed in the garden, on terraces, balconies and even on the roofs of country houses. Of course, they are not so easy to transport, unlike inflatable ones. But it is possible to periodically change the location of the bowl on the site.
When swimming in a spa pool in winter, you can choose the optimal water temperature, because... All of them are equipped with heating. Most models are equipped with thermally insulating protective covers - covers that play an important role when operating in cold weather.
Wooden heated hot tub
Wooden barrels began to be placed on the streets in Russia, in the Far East. The idea was borrowed from our Japanese neighbors. In Japan itself, wooden pools are installed inside bathhouses. A barrel of hot water is an element of the furako bath procedure. A visit to the bathhouse includes:
- washing in the shower;
- relaxation in a barrel;
- heating “to the bones” in boxes with hot sawdust and pebbles.
The font with the stove is made of cedar, larch, and oak. The wood must be resistant to heat and moisture. Cooper technology is used - wooden dies are tightened with steel hoops. Benches are installed inside. They give additional rigidity to the structure.
The o-furo rectangular wooden box is made without iron parts. It is filled with sawdust or pebbles and heated from below. Modern imitations of Japanese baths may have a rectangular wooden pool or bathtub filled with water. The wood is believed to have healing properties.
Which bath font should you choose: cedar, larch or oak?
Here, look at the situation. Each wood has its own advantages:
- Larch is less susceptible to rotting and drying out (I heard stories that St. Petersburg and Venice still partially stand on pillars made of larch);
- Cedar is the most fragrant of these trees. In addition, it has a very beautiful pinkish tint. But knotty. Oil release is also often mentioned as a benefit, but I don’t believe in that at all. After 2-3 years of constant use, it’s unlikely that anything else stands out.
- Oak has the highest density, which means an oak font is less susceptible to drying out and swelling. This is, of course, very good. But the price matches.
Finnish font
A wooden font with a stove is sometimes called Finnish. In Finland they actually make wooden bathtubs and supply them to European countries. They differ from those made in Russia in their high price and quality of wood. Wood-burning stoves are replacing electric water heaters.
Finnish companies use thermowood. Raw wood is dried at high temperatures. It becomes very strong and durable. Does not require chemical treatment. Finnish companies supply bath fonts with liners made of fiberglass and composite materials. Wood is used for the outer skin and benches inside the container. Such a font with a stove is easier to keep clean.
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.
Wooden fonts with a stove - types and design
Traditionally, immersion wood stoves are used to heat water. They are made of stainless steel and mounted on iron legs or a fire-resistant base. To avoid accidentally getting burned, the stove is surrounded by a wooden grate. The immersed part is sealed. There is a firewood grill installed inside. They are loaded from above. In a font with a stove adjacent to the wall, firewood is loaded from the side. The chimney is high so that smoke does not reach people sitting in the heated font.
An immersed wood stove heats the water quickly. When the firewood has not yet burned out and the water has already warmed up, you can begin water procedures. Carbon monoxide does not accumulate as it does indoors. Outdoor heated hot tubs are safe. The water temperature is maintained for up to 1.5 hours without additional firewood.
The second option for a heated font is an external stove. Two pipes come out of the container, upper and lower. Pipes or hoses are connected to them. Water enters the heat exchanger. It is located in a stove installed 1.5 meters from the font. When heated, natural circulation of water begins.
In a system with an external oven, it is easier to regulate the temperature. There is more space in the container; a fence for the oven is not needed. But heating is slower. While the water is heating up, the outdoor hot tub is covered with a lid. A good place to install a wooden barrel is under a canopy near a bathhouse or not far from the open veranda of a house.
Organization of water drainage
Draining water from the font is quite simple if you take care of it in advance even before installing the mini pool. If in a steam bath the barrel drain is usually connected to a sewer pipe, then in the street version you usually have to use a portable hose, or even worse, use a storm sewer.
The situation is worse with wooden hot tubs; in this case, you have to drain the water through a submersible hose, as in the case of an ordinary garden tank. It’s better not to even try to cut the fitting into the bottom or wooden wall; over time, the wood will swell or shrink, and a water leak will certainly appear.
Things are a little better with plastic barrels - fonts. Most containers are installed on a pre-prepared site, and the water is drained through a drain pipe soldered into the bottom. You will have to lay additional street drainage, but it can also be used to drain water after washing the font.
Draining water outdoors is always difficult. If a wooden container is left to winter outside, then at least ¾ of the volume of water will need to be drained and a couple of pine or deciduous logs filled with the remaining amount. This scheme does not allow the remaining water to rot and fill the mini pool with a foul odor, and in cold weather it will not allow frozen ice to deform the font.
How to install a hot tub with a stove
A hot tub with a stove is offered as an independent water procedure. Winter outdoor swimming impresses guests. To install a font with a stove, a platform is leveled on the site. A canopy or gazebo for towels and bathrobes is placed nearby. In winter and autumn it gets dark early, so it is necessary to provide street lighting. There are wooden walkways leading to the house. You don't have to run to a warm room through the snow or mud in the fall.
Barrel volume from 1000 liters or more. The entire structure has significant weight. A concrete or stone foundation is laid under the font with the stove. Be sure to do waterproofing so that the bottom does not rot. The height of the foundation is higher than the snow cover.
Fill the font with water from a water supply or well. I provide a drainage and drainage system. The bottom is made with a slight slope for complete drainage. An empty wooden font quickly dries out and leaks appear. Therefore, the barrel is not left without water for a long time. The walls and bottom must be regularly cleaned of mucus. Constant maintenance is one of the inconveniences of a wooden container. But a font with a stove burning fragrant wood gives maximum pleasure to bathhouse connoisseurs.
Making a font or mini-ice hole
Let's consider the simplest option, which a home craftsman can do. To do this, it is enough to have minimal plumbing and carpentry skills.
Necessary materials
- IBC is a container for 1000 liters, commonly called a Eurocube, which has a metal sheathing;
- siding strip, external corner, 4 pieces, 1.2 m each;
- siding;
- hardware, fasteners;
- lining, leftovers of 1.1-1.2 m each, 8 pcs.
Operating procedure
Cut off the top of the polymer container along with part of the metal sheathing.
Install strips in the corners, the outer corner, and cover with siding.
The top of the tank is finished with clapboard pre-treated with moisture-repellent agents.
We build stairs or steps. The photo shows a version of steps made of logs. Treat the logs and paint them the same color as the lining.
As a rule, an IBC container is equipped with a tap at the bottom. This is convenient both for draining water and for filling the container using a pump and hose.
Wooden barrel indoors
A box with hot sawdust and a barrel for a bath are already available in many bath complexes. The elements of Japanese furako are very effective for treating joint diseases. At spa resorts, a font with a stove is called a “rejuvenation vat”, “phyto-barrel”, etc. The water for the procedure is infused with herbs. After the steam room, a cosmetic effect is immediately noticeable on the skin.
The bathhouse is equipped with gas and electric water heaters. The temperature is maintained automatically using sensors. But to comply with hygienic requirements, the font is treated with antiseptics and detergents. When properly processed, they do not harm the tree.
Concrete plunge pool - a miniature pool “for centuries”
Despite all the advantages of a wooden font, the complexity of its manufacture is an obstacle for many home craftsmen. And in order to make a concrete font with your own hands, you don’t need any special knowledge - just be able to hold a shovel and use a concrete mixer. In this case, the sequence of work will be as follows:
1. We dig a hole for the font with a depth of 1.5 - 1.6 m.
2. Install the fittings. We lay the reinforcing mesh on the floor at a height of 5 cm from the bottom. You can raise the mesh by placing it on plastic clamps (“fungi”-stands) for the reinforcement. There is another way: drive 4 pins into the ground so that 5 cm remains on the surface, and only then put reinforcing mesh on them. We place reinforcing mesh on the sides.
3. We put together formwork from OSB, reinforced with timber - for the inner wall. We install it 5 cm higher than our reinforcement mesh (so that the total thickness of the floor is 10 cm). We also make formwork for the outer wall of the font and install it directly on the bottom. If necessary, we provide a hole in the formwork for drainage.
4. Fill the walls with concrete at one time to create a monolith, then fill the bottom.
5. After a week, we dismantle the formwork, plaster the walls, and cover with mortar all the potholes, pits and other deformations remaining after removing the formwork. We level the floor with mortar according to the beacons.
6. Treat the surface of the hot tub with a waterproofing mixture (for example, Ceresit CR 65). Then we prime the surface and paint it with rubber paint. You can use other interior finishing options (tiles, film, etc.), but this option seems the most reasonable in a bathhouse.
7. We install a staircase, organize lighting with LED lamps or a jacuzzi - whatever your heart desires.
Carpathian bath vats
A hot tub with a stove from the Carpathian region differs from the leisurely Japanese procedure. A metal, cast iron or steel container is filled with water from a radon source. After warming up the muscles in mineral water, a dip in a mountain river follows. The healing effect is enhanced by the temperature contrast.
This is extreme entertainment, real benefits and training. Immersion in a font in the fresh air strengthens the nerves and blood vessels. The healing spring in the Transcarpathian village of Lumshary is popular among tourists.
A fire to heat the water is lit under a metal vat. This is a simple hearth made of stones. Large vats for 8-10 people are installed on stone bases with a full stove and chimney.
Optimal choice of material for the heater
To choose the right material for your pool heater, you need to consider the following factors:
- Possibility of transportation.
Due to its heavy weight, it is better to place a device made of bricks permanently, on a good foundation. If the pool is dismountable and installed in different places, then it is better to use a metal structure. - Availability of free space. Metal boilers take up less space than brick ones; the brick structure will need to be protected from the effects of precipitation: build a roof or assemble a stove in the building.
- Cost and availability of materials.
- Possibility to hire a qualified welder or stove mason.
A brick cauldron is durable and looks good. A brick oven can also perform a number of other functions: heat a room, cook food. If you have the skills, you can make such a device yourself, which will significantly reduce the cost of the entire heating system.
A homemade metal structure is chosen if the budget is limited.
Cast iron and steel hot tubs
Metal fonts with a stove are made in different versions. A stone stove is placed under a heavy cast-iron cauldron for 8 people. The chimney pipe is brought out from the side. The boiler is lined with stones or bricks so that the font retains heat longer in winter. The external cladding of the boiler can be wooden. Benches along the walls, steps and walkways around the font are made from wood. A wooden flooring is installed at the bottom.
In many amateur photos, the cauldron is suspended over a fire, on a log stove. The boiler is heated on wood, over an open fireplace.
Pros and cons of spa pools and bathtubs for summer cottages
Wooden bathhouse: pros and cons
The advantages of installing an outdoor jacuzzi include:
- the opportunity to relieve fatigue after a hard day at work;
- improvement in general health after taking water procedures;
- reduction of pain after bathing;
- relaxation of the nervous system.
- easy care;
- operation throughout the year (winter and summer);
- compactness and spaciousness;
- variety of shapes, sizes and colors.
When choosing a stationary spa pool, be sure to pay attention to its functionality. Modern models are equipped with different types of massage (turbo, jet, bubble). They provide different functions:
- aromatherapy;
- air massage;
- hydromassage;
- backlight;
Steel font with stove
A steel boiler is lighter in weight and easier to manufacture. Manufacturers offer several designs:
- Steel container on a stand with a wood-burning stove underneath
- Container on a rolled metal frame with an external oven
- Hanging boiler
The furnace under the boiler has the best efficiency. Heated water rises on its own. In a remote oven there is more heat loss and circulation is slower. Therefore, the water is disturbed during the heating process. A fireplace is folded under the hanging boiler or a steel windproof box is placed.
Immersion furnaces for steel and cast iron containers are practically not used. The hot tub with a stove and vertical wooden walls is spacious enough for 8-12 people to bathe. The volume of a hemispherical container is smaller. There is no room for an immersed oven.
Approximate prices of ready-made hot tubs
Having considered the existing options for bathing containers, it’s time to decide on their cost.
Wooden double structures can be purchased at prices starting from 36,000 rubles. For a larger font made of larch or oak you will have to pay at least 70,000 rubles. Equipping such a container with a stainless steel stove will cost 35,000 rubles.
Prices for plastic hot tubs with a volume of 1.0 m3 or more start at 12,000 rubles. Tent (film) structures are a little cheaper. Their price tags start at 7,000 rubles.
A stainless steel vat designed for 2-3 people can be purchased at a price of 120,000 rubles.
Heated plastic pool
An external oven with a heat exchanger can be connected to any container - metal, wood or plastic. The first experiments of the owners of frame plastic pools were successful.
- The cost of a wood stove is from 55,000 rubles.
- Plastic pool with equipment - from 60,000 rubles.
The careful owners do the installation themselves. The pool is installed on a hill so that it does not get covered with snow. The polyvinyl chloride structure is sheathed with boards, covered with bricks and stone. Depends on the taste and construction skills of the owner.
In summer, the entire structure is used as a regular outdoor pool. For swimming with children, pleasant cooling in the heat. In autumn, a wooden flooring is placed on the bottom and a bench is placed around the perimeter. If desired, place a table in the center. In winter, it is enough to light the stove. You can enjoy in your own outdoor hot tub. But when the winter party is over, the water will have to be drained. Until it froze.
Caring for a hot tub is the easiest. The polymer surface can be washed with any detergent. There is no need to dry it regularly, like a wooden barrel. If plastic or polyvinyl chloride fabric gets a hole, they are sealed. Replacing the plastic liner does not require large expenses.
But if an outdoor font is installed for regular and long-term procedures, it is better to install a permanent structure. The choice of a wooden container, a steel boiler with a stove or a cast iron clock depends on financial capabilities and personal preferences. If you plan to rent out the country house as a guest house, the investment will pay off. Few people will refuse the pleasure of relaxing in hot water in the middle of winter.
Pool heater production technology.
Making a spiral is not as easy as it might seem from the outside. Desire and available resources alone are not enough to get a high-quality and reliable pool heater. Termopool has a large production base, which includes sophisticated high-precision hydraulic, laser and bending machines. The process of manufacturing wood-burning pool heaters in general includes a large number of production processes, such as: argon arc welding, laser cutting, bending, crimping, painting, drying, test assembly and packaging of the heaters. Due to the manufacture of the spiral on a powerful hydraulic machine, its turns fit tightly and without displacement to each other. As a result, the firebox is dense, which makes it possible to extract thermal energy as efficiently as possible and maintain maximum temperatures in the firebox.
| A heating element |
A few rules to follow:
- The temperature in the font does not exceed 40-45 degrees. Rarely anyone can survive higher.
- Before general immersion in the font, take a shower.
- Immerse yourself in hot water up to your chest, up to the heart area.
- At temperatures below – 15 degrees, it is better to wear a bath cap.
- Do not dive headlong into water.
- Do not drink cold drinks in the bath.
- From a medical point of view, you should not drink alcohol during the procedure. It is better to replace alcoholic drinks with herbal tea and sbiten. But a glass of wine or beer never hurt anyone.
If you follow these simple rules, the font will become truly rejuvenating.
Swimming in winter occurs most often at dusk or in the dark. In addition to lighting, safety of movement is important:
- Strong handrails are installed along the walkways and on the ladder. In winter, the water around the font freezes quickly.
- There should be a wooden flooring at the bottom of any container under your feet.
If you follow these rules, the outdoor swimming pool will become a favorite place in your country estate. A place of relaxation and relaxation or fun gatherings. As the owners like it.
Service details
Wooden hot tubs should not be left without water for a long time: in summer, 5-10 cm is left at the bottom, and in winter they are filled with snow up to 20 cm. Ideally, the container should be constantly in use.
To prevent the development of mold fungi, the material is treated with an antiseptic. Once a year, the outside needs to be coated with natural wax. The water is changed every 3-4 days until algae begins to multiply. Do not allow the water in the bowl to freeze.
When using it, it is important not to overheat the water, so immediately purchase a thermometer. Comfortable temperature in the cold season - 37-40 degrees Celsius
Electric heater
On the one hand, the electric heater is attractive due to its ease of control. Heating begins simply by turning on the button. However, installing an electrically heated hot tub is a rather complicated process. In addition to the heater itself, it is necessary to install a circulation pump, a flow filter, inlet and outlet valves, control units, protection units, and power supply. All equipment must be protected from moisture, frost and installed in certain places.
What is attractive about this option is that with the help of such equipment you can program the heating time and not monitor the process itself.
