If the owner of a summer cottage is a skilled builder, then the construction of the bathhouse and interior decoration is usually carried out himself, according to his own taste.
Photo of the interior inside the bathhouse
Since the main place in the room is the steam room, special attention is paid to its design. Regardless of the size of the room, it is important to correctly install the shelves for the bath, choose a convenient shape, reliable material for assembly, and think about the placement of each part.
Photo: the walls in the steam room are lined with pressed blocks of sea salt
To simplify the selection of raw materials and avoid manufacturing errors, we suggest reading this article.
What elements do the shelves consist of?
The main ones in this design are:
- Frame. Often this is a frame made of timber into which boards of permanent or collapsible flooring are fixed. The thickness and shape of the parts resemble the legs of a bench, which are connected to each other by transverse bridges. May have a stepped structure.
- Flooring. It consists of boards that are fixed in increments of 1–2 cm. They are laid on top of the frame. Performs the function of a couch, bench. It can be removable or stationary. In the first case, it is convenient to dry it before each use of the steam room. For convenience, it is equipped with a backrest and a stand under the headboard.
There are a number of requirements for shelving in a bathhouse:
- Low level of thermal conductivity. The material should not become very hot at a constantly high temperature. Therefore, the main raw material from which shelves are usually made is wood.
- Wooden racks are designed with rounded corners to avoid injuries during operation.
- The strength of the frame is very important so that the supports can withstand significant weight loads.
- The surface of the bench must be free of any elements made of iron or other metal. Because metal heats up very quickly and can cause serious burns.
When installing shelves for a sauna, it is recommended to leave a gap of up to 10 cm from the wall for rapid drainage of water droplets and better steam circulation.
Pull-on model
This manufacturing option uses room partitions and auxiliary structural elements. Reliability is at a high level, and strength is many times better than the first option with free movement. One of the disadvantages is the acidification of fasteners due to constant contact with moisture.
Such rather unpleasant features will greatly upset the owners after a certain period of use. Before settling on one of the proposed options, you should think carefully about the issues that are currently in first place.
Choosing the type of wood for making benches and deck chairs
To determine suitable raw materials, consider the following:
- The use of softwood lumber is contraindicated. Otherwise, when heated, resin begins to release, which sticks to the body.
- The wood must be resistant to conditions of high humidity, constant temperature changes, and have high-quality antiseptic protection. Otherwise, the shelves will rot and quickly become deformed.
- There should be no chips, burrs or other defects on the surface.
- Low thermal conductivity of the material is necessary so that the benches do not heat up and this does not cause discomfort for vacationers.
Let's look at the properties of the most popular breeds that are suitable for shelving in a Russian bathhouse.
Aspen
Very popular among residents of the private sector due to the availability of raw materials and low price.
Other benefits of aspen include:
- resistant to moisture;
- does not rot;
- does not deform;
- has healing properties;
- cleans the air of bacteria and germs;
- does not require maintenance.
It is generally accepted that products made from aspen restore strength, give vigor, and act as a neutralizer of negative energy.
From constant exposure to moisture, aspen can change its shade to grayish.
Thermal aspen
Thermal aspen is wood that has been treated with high temperatures (over 200 degrees) and steam.
Resulting in:
- The humidity of the raw materials has decreased.
- Essential oils evaporated from the structure, which means the material became more resistant to fire.
- Density has increased. Therefore, thermoaspen absorbs less moisture.
Thermal aspen does not swell, does not rot, and lasts a long time. This material is considered a reliable decorative option for finishing bath rooms. Thermal aspen shelves and furniture look very beautiful.
Disadvantages: fragility and high price.
Larch
It is characterized by increased resistance to moisture. Has a strong solid structure. It is chosen for the manufacture of furniture, decoration in saunas, open verandas and gazebos.
Larch is an expensive species, so bathhouses are not often decorated with it.
Alder (black alder)
Alder is the optimal raw material for making steam room benches yourself.
Its advantages:
- high strength;
- low thermal conductivity;
- durability;
- wear resistance;
- does not deform;
- does not change color even after years;
- perfectly tolerates temperature changes and constant humidity.
More expensive than linden. The structure is uniform.
To contrast the colors in the steam room, you can assemble racks of light and black alder.
Linden
Linden is often used to decorate steam rooms. It has a pleasant aroma that has a relaxing effect on a person.
Among the advantages of raw materials:
- it is convenient to handle;
- a light weight;
- ease of installation;
- smooth surface;
- even over the years it does not lose its attractiveness;
- tolerates temperature changes and humidity well.
For homemade shelves, it is recommended to take thoroughly dried linden, otherwise the structures will begin to darken.
Linden is more expensive than alder, but in terms of quality and properties these species are almost equal.
Poplar
It is distinguished by soft and easy-to-work wood. Solid poplar has a light brown, sometimes white tone. Light in weight.
In terms of resistance to moisture and temperature changes, it is inferior to other breeds.
It is customary to make furniture and carved decorative elements from poplar.
Maple
The main advantage of maple is its strength. Products made from this raw material are difficult to break or damage, they do not crack.
Other advantages:
- long service life;
- ease of processing;
- affordable price;
- resistance to moisture, wear;
- homogeneous structure.
Examples of maple with a beautiful texture are the “sugar” and “bird’s eye” types.
Abacha (abashi, abash)
Abash has gained wide popularity in recent years for finishing and making furniture for baths and saunas.
This is the name of African oak. It differs from other breeds in a lot of advantages:
- The raw material tolerates temperature changes well.
- Due to its strength, it can withstand heavy weight loads.
- Looks beautiful.
- Lasts a long time.
- Does not rot, does not crack.
- When heated, abash emits a pleasant odor, which has a positive effect on the human respiratory system.
- Wood without knots. It is easy to handle. The surface is smooth.
- Even over time it does not lose its original appearance.
In the absence of high-quality ventilation in the steam room, the abash begins to darken in places. This is expensive material.
Abash is considered to be the leader in decorative and working properties among wood species that are suitable for creating sauna shelves.
But benches made from budget alder or linden will look no worse and last a long time.
Types of steam room shelf designs
Depends on the area and height of the room.
The standard placement of benches is along one or two walls, parallel, perpendicular to each other.
Proper installation of shelving involves placing it away from windows. Since in a steam room there is always a risk that the glass will burst due to high temperature and the fragments will injure vacationers.
Stepped
They are of the stationary type. They are more common than other species.
The shelves are fixed to one wall where there is no window. A multi-tiered structure is created according to the principle of steps.
For a village Russian bathhouse, the presence of a three-story bench is considered standard.
This arrangement is convenient because with each tier the degree of heating increases.
It is important to take into account that the distance from the ceiling to the top shelf must be at least 1.2 m. This distance will be comfortable for a person to sit or hover. In addition, the upper tier is attached above the line of the heating boiler or stove.
Folding
Another name is a compartment shelf. The principle of arrangement and operation is reminiscent of wall shelves on a train, which can be folded down when necessary.
Suitable for a steam room with a small area. The shelves are fixed on two opposite walls parallel to each other. The upper shelves fold down, the frame of which is formed from support legs with transverse crosspieces.
There is an option for fixing without racks, as if in a hanging position. Used for light weight loads. Requires competent calculations. Not suitable for DIY production.
To remove the pull-out bench, it is lifted towards the wall and lowered to its original position to open it.
Removable
They are also called collapsible, folding. This mobile design is convenient in steam rooms with a small area. Simplifies the process of drying the flooring.
The upper and lower benches are completely removable.
Corner (L-shaped)
For small steam rooms, corner benches are often installed.
They take up little space, but are not inferior in comfort to other types.
The upper and lower elements are adjacent to one partition along the longest wall, the middle ones along the short one, which is located nearby.
There can be 2-3 steps along each partition.
Arrangement of shelves in the steam room for comfortable movement
It is considered standard to install three-tier shelves in a bathhouse. The lower one will be cooler, the upper one will be the hottest.
The design is designed so that an adult can comfortably sit on any of the benches.
To do this, it is important to take into account recommendations regarding the main dimensions of the product.
Height
There are a number of optimal height indicators:
- 40‒60 cm. Distance between the first and second benches.
- 1.1 – 1.2 m. Height between the lowest step and the second shelf.
- 20 cm. This is the minimum allowable distance from the floor to the first step.
If among the regular vacationers or owners there are people of non-standard height, then the height and distances between the shelves should be selected individually.
Length
The recommended minimum range is from 1.5 to 1.8 m. With a length of 1.5 m, a person will be able to sit on a bench with their legs bent at the knees. On a 1.8 m shelf, most vacationers will be able to lie down at their full height.
Width
For the lower tier, which most often acts as a footrest, 40 cm is enough.
The standard width is 60 cm. With this size of the flooring, it will be comfortable to sit, but not to steam while lying down.
But on a 90 cm shelf it is already comfortable to lie down and sit with your legs bent.
There are benches 150 cm wide. Here the choice is individual. If the area of the room allows, then why not make them wide.
Wood
There are quite a few types of wood that are suitable for shelf boards (some write “canopies” - this is a mistake) in a bathhouse . It is recommended to use exclusively deciduous trees, and if coniferous trees are used, then only to create a frame.
But, as always, bathhouse owners proceed from a variety of considerations. It happens that shelves are made from coniferous trees. However, it is clear that the release of resin, even without burns, can change the opinion about the suitability of conifers
