The 4x4 bathhouse project is an excellent solution for a small plot of land. The compact building does not take up much space, and all the necessary premises can be successfully located in it.
Of course, everyone wants to have not just a bathhouse, but a whole recreation complex; a bathhouse with a barbecue has a number of advantages; however, not every site can accommodate a large structure. But this is not a reason to abandon the sauna altogether; the compact 4x4 version will fit even in a small area and give you the opportunity to relax in the sauna.
Bathhouse layout 4x4m
The layout of a 4x4 m bathhouse, as a rule, begins with the designation of rooms: washing room, steam room and dressing room.
You should also remember, when creating a project for a 4x4 m bathhouse, which will be made of logs, that the internal space of the logs will be slightly smaller. To calculate everything correctly, you need to subtract the thickness of the log from the inside of the logs (if it is cut into a paw), and if the log house is made “into a bowl,” then you need to add another 25 cm to this thickness.
If, for example, you take a log 4 m long and 240 mm thick, which was cut down “into the thicket”, then its internal size will be no more than three meters. Therefore, this fact must be taken into account in advance , because the building becomes significantly smaller inside.
You can, of course, make a bathhouse with an internal size of 4x4m, but for this you will need to place an order with the manufacturer. They themselves will calculate the size of the log and cut it as needed.
The layout of a 4x4 m bath is determined by the following parameters:
- the space from the inside should be divided exactly into two parts. In the first part there will be a large relaxation room, and in the second, which should also be divided in half, there will be a steam room and a small relaxation room;
- The stove for this bath layout must be installed in the washing room. is also fashionable to consider installing a stove near the wall of the rest room ; it will be very convenient to throw firewood into it while relaxing. In principle, it can be installed anywhere, all at the discretion of the owner;
- in order to be able to use the bathhouse in winter, it is necessary to attach a vestibule to the bathhouse;
- if you are too lazy to light the stove yourself, then you can install it in the vestibule and involve service personnel in the kindling. Then you can rest easy and not worry about the stove going out.
The layout of a 4x4 m bath may vary depending on the following additions:
- You can place the entrance to the building from the street and to the rest room from either side. The door installation must be carried out according to the location of the bathhouse on the site;
- If you have decided on this, then you can plan other entrances, to the washing room or the rest room. The doors of the rooms should be installed close to each other to make it more convenient to move between rooms;
- There is no special procedure for planning a washing room and steam room; they can be alternated one after another, no matter which room comes first. The only thing that needs to be taken into account is that the washing room should be located closer to the drain hole to make it easier to remove the drain pipe;
- It is also very important that the furniture and equipment for the bath are arranged correctly. The ceiling in the steam room, for example, should not be very low, because the fumes coming out of the firebox can burn a person lying on the top shelf;
- The size of the rooms is usually determined at the request of the owner. For example, it is better to make a steam room larger than a washing room. After all, in the washing room you only need to take a shower, but in the steam room there can be several people, and everyone will want to lie down on the bench at full height.
The construction of a 4x4 m bathhouse includes the arrangement of the following additional structures:
- porch;
- terrace.
These structures are not an element of the layout of our building; they are additional. They can be built later as a frame extension.
The construction of a 4x4 bathhouse and the planning of its premises do not pose any complex tasks, but you still need to take into account all the nuances of this construction , so that later there is no need to redo anything.
Furnace location
Any instructions for designing a bathhouse must contain information about the location of the heating structure. Specific information is reflected in SNiP 41-01-2003, which clearly states that such structures should be protected with thermally resistant materials, especially when it comes to wood. Regarding efficiency issues, the stove must be installed so that it heats several rooms at once.
Heat flows from the stove in different directions.
How can you decorate the outer walls of a 4x4 bath?
Typically, external walls are treated by mechanical action or, to put it simply, sanded. After that, to give the walls a wonderful look, they are treated with a special solution that can resist insects, protects against instantaneous ignition, and also gives the logs a wonderful look, emphasizing their structure.
After sanding the logs, they are caulked. This is done in order to seal the gaps that appear between the logs.
At this stage, the exterior decoration of the walls of our 4x4 bathhouse is completed. If everything is done correctly, then the wood, sanded and treated with a special compound, will serve for many more years and will delight the owners with its magnificent appearance.
If the owners want to give this building a modern and beautiful look, then the outer walls can be covered with horizontal siding . One of the options would be to decorate the walls with panels for facades, block houses or bricks.
If you want to save on wall decoration, you can do it using a more budget-friendly material - vinyl siding. It looks great, protects from snow and rain and withstands solar radiation well.
There is another option for finishing the external walls of a 4x4 bath. It is performed using natural stone or torn brick. This finish will look simply amazing, but, however, it is quite expensive.
Calculation of materials
Since we will be building a frame bathhouse measuring 4x4 meters, we will need a certain amount of materials and tools.
Materials
- Cement – Grade 400.
- Sand - sifted coarse.
- Beam - 150x150 mm.
- Beam - 50x150 mm.
- Beam - 40–50 mm.
- Unedged board.
- Boards for formwork.
- Fittings.
- Blockhouse for exterior decoration.
- Thermal insulation material (mats or rolls).
- Foil film for vapor barrier.
- Polyethylene waterproofing film.
- Pipes for sewerage and drainage installations.
- Tap for draining water.
- Ruberoid.
- Antiseptics.
- Metal entrance doors.
- Window metal-plastic blocks.
- Lining for interior decoration.
- Anchors and screws.
- Slate.
- Galvanized chimney pipe.
- Heater stove and water tank for 70 and 120 l.
- Water supply pump.
Tools
The main advantages of 4x4 baths
The most important advantage is the environmental friendliness of the material from which the baths are built. If the design of a 4x4 bathhouse includes its construction from coniferous trees, then such wood also has medicinal properties.
If the project plans to hire a special team to build a bathhouse, then using tongue-and-groove technology they will build you a beautiful structure that will last for decades.
If the design of a 4x4 bathhouse involves its construction from timber, then this material will cost you much less than, for example, from brick or planed profiled timber.
Construction of a 4x4 m bathhouse does not require large financial costs and will not take up much space on your site. You will only happily relax in it and gain health.
Drain arrangement
The arrangement of drainage from existing water intakes must be taken care of at an early stage of construction of the bathhouse.
Drain arrangement
Firstly, it is necessary to lay a sewer pipe with a slope of 1 meter 3–5 cm. Such a pipe should come from the shower and from the water drain tap from the pipeline system. It is located at the lowest point of the pipeline. Such a tap is needed to drain water from the system and preserve the bathhouse for a long period, for example, throughout the winter. It is better if the drain pipe does not have branches or turns. A straight pipe is a way to avoid blockages. The diagram shows how best to connect two water intakes into one system.
Making a gasket for a sewer pipe
Pipe system
Draining
It is better to connect the sewer pipe to the septic tank so that the drain water does not go into the ground.
Projects
The project is probably the most important stage. When drawing up a plan, it is worth taking into account the location of the rooms in advance, considering the placement of communications (electrics, exhaust hood, water), the location of doors and windows. Ready-made projects, diagrams and drawings can be found on the Internet, developed independently or contact specialized companies. The last option is good because when developing the project, the features of the site will be additionally taken into account.
As for the layout of a 4 by 4 bathhouse, you need to provide for the presence of a steam room, a sink and a rest room (to save space, they are often combined with a dressing room). In this case, the steam room should be larger in area, since several people are in it at the same time.
If funds allow, it is better to choose a project with 2 floors. In this case, a bathhouse is located separately on the first floor, and a guest or recreation room is located on the second floor. At the same time, the structure remains compact, which is important for small-sized plots.
Another option to increase the area is the attic. Construction costs are lower, but the end result is a small room that can be used as a guest room. Plus - the opportunity to organize a full-fledged balcony or room with a terrace on the second floor (the support pillars will also serve as the basis for a small veranda).
It is also worth considering the location of shelves, necessary furniture, and providing storage space for equipment, soap, shampoo, and oils. A couple of hanging shelves will be enough.
The number of shelves depends on the height of the bath (one-story or two-story). It is better to provide 2 or 3 tiers.
- This solution will allow you to comfortably accommodate a couple of several people.
- choose a comfortable temperature.
It is better to install the stove against the wall between the dressing room and the steam room - it is more convenient and safer, especially if you like to add water to the heater.
Benches are usually installed in the washing room and there are places for storing ladles and basins. If desired, you can install a shower stall.
The rest room is furnished at the request of the owners. The minimum set of furniture is a table and a pair of chairs.
Hooks for clothes are attached to the walls of the dressing room, which also serves as a locker room . If the area allows, you can allocate space for storing firewood.
Despite its compact size, a 4x4 room can accommodate everything you need. The best option is to entrust the design work to a specialist. Subsequently, there will be no problems with the installation of water pipes or the installation of sewerage systems.
Important: when planning, keep in mind that all doors should open freely outward, without impeding exit from the room.
When choosing a project you should consider:
- the number of family members, for example, if there is a small child, then it is worth setting aside a place for a warm dressing room;
- purpose – lovers of steam baths should consider options with a large steam room.
When choosing a project, it is worth calculating in advance the cost of the necessary materials for construction and subsequent decorative finishing.
Features of 4x4 m projects
The 4x4 m bathhouse design is worthy of users' attention for its good capacity. A standard one-story building includes the following layout:
steam room, washing room, bathroom, dressing room and relaxation room or terrace under a common roof. The design of a 4x4 m bathhouse can be one-story or with an attic. Upstairs there is a full-fledged room for guests or for relaxation. Due to its small size, the box can easily fit in a small summer cottage or near a private house.
You can assemble a 4x4 m bathhouse from timber, plain or rounded logs, bricks or cinder blocks. The simplest option is made from timber, since the correct shape of the structure and timber allows you to easily assemble the box with your own hands.
On a summer cottage, a project with an open or closed terrace is usually chosen. After taking the procedures, it’s nice to go out into the air and breathe. And the common roof makes the terrace protected from wind and rain.
Main characteristics of a typical 4x4 m bathhouse design:
- Foundation area – 21.60 m2.
- The area of the internal part is 11.50 m2 + 2.7 m2 terrace: steam room 4.14 m2, washing room 3.59 m2, terrace 2.7 m2, dressing room 3 m2. You can redesign the interior in your own way, so if you remove the terrace, the dressing room will become larger. Fit a full-fledged recreation room.
A 4x4 sauna can be purchased in a ready-made box or made independently. The easiest option is to buy turnkey, the price for this starts from 450,000 rubles. This is without finishing or insulation. For comparison, a ready-made box for assembly by yourself costs from 300,000 rubles. One of the 4x4 bathhouses can be seen in the video:
Planning
Any planning of premises begins with the designation and marking of the main rooms.
So, for a compact-sized bathhouse, it is necessary to take into account the location of the steam room, sink, dressing room and, if desired, a relaxation room. The material of manufacture also plays an important role in the design. If the bathhouse is built from the most popular material - logs, then it should be taken into account that the size of the internal rooms will be somewhat reduced. There are important points to consider.
- Proper division of the main rooms in the bathhouse. To do this, it is worth dividing the entire area into two large squares. One part is the dressing room or rest room, and the second is the place where the main actions take place. For further convenience, it is better to divide the second part into two compartments: a sink and a steam room separately.
- Dimensions of the main parts of the bath. As a rule, the dressing room is a small room in area where you can leave your things. If it is also used as a place to relax, this part should be expanded so that a table, benches or sofa can freely fit. The steam room and sink can be either the same size or different. This is determined by the desire of the owners and the number of people visiting the bathhouse at the same time. If there are 4 or more people in the company, then it is more convenient to make the steam room more spacious than the washing area.
- Furnace installation. Currently, it can be installed in any part of the bathhouse, not necessarily in the steam room. You just need to adhere to all fire safety standards and rules when constructing it and objectively evaluate the effectiveness of the placement.
- The main entrance to the bathhouse. In general, it can be located on any side at the request of the owners, but the most common and appropriate is the entrance to the dressing room. In this case, you should take into account the distance from the bathhouse to the house so that you can easily and quickly get to the living space.
Differences and features of technologies
Frame
- The supporting structure is a wooden frame on which all building elements are attached. The bathhouse is installed on the site without the use of equipment. This is 100% handmade. It is possible without the involvement of specialists.
- When designing a frame bath, any customer requests are taken into account. The only restrictions are regulations.
- Quick commissioning of the facility.
- Frame baths, including mobile ones, have the most affordable price. The cost can increase: a) increasing the size of the bath; b) type of foundation; c) expensive materials for interior and exterior decoration; d) type of insulation; there are recommendations for insulating the roof, walls, floor and ceiling of the bathhouse; e) independent work or with the involvement of specialists; f) engineering additions...
- They are strong and reliable. A large number of stiffening ribs prevent the structure from deforming.
Frame-panel
1) The production of frame-panel baths is a complex, expensive process. The main structural element is SIP.
The design of SIP (structural insulated panel) is similar to a sandwich. Between two sheets of wood-based material there is a thermal insulation layer.
There is a wide variety of SIPs on the market. But, since you are interested in a bathhouse, then look for a sandwich where the outside is oriented strand boards with the abbreviation OSB, and the inside is polystyrene foam.
The middle layer binds the entire structure together using a special high-pressure adhesive (cold pressing). The wood leaves are strictly parallel. Waterproof treatment of slabs is carried out during their manufacture.
Individual design is not possible. Always a ready-made standard design solution.
2) This bathhouse is assembled quickly (2-3 days). All blocks and elements are clearly adjusted to each other in the factory.3) The cost of frame-panel technology increases due to:
- expensive production;
- attraction of lifting equipment;
- possible increase in the number of construction crews.
4) The panels are attached to each other using a wooden beam, the selection of which requires special attention, according to the “tongue and groove” principle.
The joints are sealed with polyurethane foam. Vertical and horizontal bars provide additional rigidity and stability.
5) Panels can last more than 50 years.
Advantages and disadvantages
To appreciate this technology, let’s watch a video from a well-known channel, and then look at its pros and cons.
pros
- Fire resistance: the panel is capable of holding back fire for an hour, the ANTI-FIRE treatment is effective.
- The panel material is non-toxic and safe for humans.
- The panels can withstand heavy loads: everything can be mounted on them, even heavy hanging furniture.
- SIP walls are thin, but retain heat well.
- Smooth walls inside and out: any finishing materials.
- Resistant to temperature changes. Build baths all year round!
- SIPs are excellent sound absorbers.
- Thermal losses of sandwich structures are minimal.
- Moisture resistance: SIPs do not rot, mold does not form on them.
- Seismic resistance: buildings can withstand vibrations of more than 5 points.
For your information! A frame-panel bathhouse is more expensive than a frame one, but half the price of a log house.
Choose frame-panel baths to suit any budget:
Turnkey (cladding of facades and internal walls is carried out at the sandwich panel manufacturing plant); Rough finishing (decoration either inside or outside - at the customer’s choice); Without finishing (the customer carries out internal and external finishing on his own).
Photo of the company ProSIP (St. Petersburg)
Minuses
The service life is limited to 50 years. When heated above 125 degrees, the thermal insulation layer burns and deforms. External uniformity and unattractiveness of objects without finishing. Violation of technology leads to loss of strength.
VERY IMPORTANT! Lay the electrical wiring correctly, paying special attention to the areas where sockets and switches are attached. A spark may cause the inner layer of the sandwich to ignite. For the same reasons, use non-combustible materials for finishing.
ATTENTION: seal all cracks and gaps, otherwise all the thermal insulation will be damaged by rodents.
Interior decoration
For modern interior design, wood is usually used from the inside - a natural, eco-friendly material. They use different options.
Particular attention should be paid to the decorative finishing of the stove . Materials must be non-flammable. Brick (fireclay, red) is perfect. If you choose a hollow brick, keep in mind that it will not retain heat for a long time.
Advice: do not use sand-lime brick for finishing the stove. It will quickly collapse, and additional cladding will be needed, which means extra costs.
Floors
To cover the floors, edged or tongue-and-groove floorboards 35 mm thick are used.
Floor board (tongue and groove)
The total area of the premises is 24 m2, based on these data we will calculate the cubic capacity of the floorboards. 24×0.035=0.84 m3. We advise you to purchase approximately one cubic meter of boards; waste must be taken into account. Precisely for the purpose of accounting for waste, and they necessarily occur during any construction
Subfloors. They need to be done under all interior spaces, except for the steam room. The material of manufacture is an unedged board 20 mm thick, the area of the premises is 3.48 + 9.14 + 2.55 + 2.55 = 17.72 m2, the area of the finished floors is 17.72 + 3.48 = 21.2 m2. We determine the cubic capacity according to the table, taking into account the thickness of the lumber.
Unedged board
General requirements for the characteristics of bathhouses
The space provided by the bathhouse, measuring 4x5 m, is enough for a completely comfortable holiday for a family or a small group of 3-4 people.
In accordance with current regulatory requirements, each visitor to the steam room should have at least 1-1.2 m2 of free space if the person steams while in a sitting position. If the bath lover lies down or prefers to take some other possible position, the requirements for the dimensions of the steam room will change accordingly.
Steam room visitors
These points must be taken into account when designing a bathhouse in general and shelves in a steam room in particular. Information regarding possible body positions in the bath and recommendations for shelf sizes for each of them are shown in the following image.
Recommended shelf sizes for different body positions
Arrangement of shelves in the steam room
Regarding the area of the washing room, the recommendations are similar - at least 1-1.2 m2 for each visitor. In order to save space, the sink, as a rule, is made of relatively small sizes so that there is enough space for 1-2 visitors who come here at the same time.
Shower in the bath more Shower in the bath more
A modern compact shower cabin will allow you to effectively solve the problem of distributing free space in the washroom. In general, the dimensions of the washing room can increase depending on its operating conditions. For example, if the owner decides to install a boiler here to heat water or even a washing machine (relevant when arranging a bath house), the size of the room will have to be increased accordingly.
Shower options
The recommended height of the steam room is about 210 cm, the washing room is 220-230 cm. When designing a steam room, you should adhere to the rule that there should be at least 110 cm of free space between the ceiling and the top shelf
For other types of sauna stoves, the requirements are determined by the individual characteristics of the units used.
Calculation of the minimum required parameters
Recommended steam room dimensions
To prevent water from splashing from one room to another, door thresholds are installed approximately 200-300 mm above the floor. The requirement is also relevant for the main entrance door; if the bathhouse is not equipped with a porch/terrace/veranda, then the high threshold will not allow melt water to penetrate inside the room in the spring, and will make the process of clearing snow more convenient.
