Finnish projects of bathhouses made of timber: photos

Glued materials, such as timber or logs, allow you to create projects that are unique in their architecture. These can be not only residential wooden houses, but also buildings for completely different purposes, for example, exclusive hotels, administrative buildings for ski resorts, club houses for golf clubs.

Finnish baths and bath complexes are especially in demand. A Finnish bathhouse, just like a Finnish house, is a reliable structure that combines practicality, functionality, beauty and style. The Rovaniemi catalog presents the best designs of bath complexes, created taking into account high requirements for safety and comfort, based on many years of experience.

In our practice, quite often the client decides to simultaneously order a house and a bath complex made of laminated veneer lumber or logs. Typically, Finnish bathhouse projects are also developed by our architects, who have extensive experience and supervise both production and construction. As a rule, in this case, a common architectural concept and the same wall material are chosen for both buildings so that all objects on the site look like a single ensemble.

Glued or profiled

In order to decide which material is best suited for each specific case when building a bathhouse, you need to learn about all the advantages and disadvantages of wooden lumber.
Advantages of profiled timber:

Strength;
Rot resistance;
Low shrinkage;
Air tightness;
Completely natural material;
Low cost.

Profiled lumber is made from solid wood and has natural moisture content. This is an edged beam, which is given the required shape on machines. A shrinkage bathhouse made of profiled timber can settle over the course of a year, as the wood building material dries during the operation of the building.

The product can also be sold dried, in which case its strength and shrinkage indicators will be much higher. Everything said above is also true for baths made of calibrated timber.

Advantages of laminated timber:

Increased strength;
The facade of the finished building does not require cladding;
Minimal shrinkage;
Fire resistance;
Thermal insulation;
Durability;
Tightness of connection of parts.

Glued laminated timber is, in principle, the same profiled timber, but glued (assembled) from several elements.

Lumber is assembled from dried and pre-treated boards with antiseptic, which are glued together with a special waterproof glue under pressure.

The table shows comparative characteristics of wood material

Characteristics	Glulam beams	Profiled beams
Temperature fluctuations	No deformation	Possible deformation
Shrinkage	0,4-0,6 %	6-8 %
Surface	Perfect	Possible knots
Rot or wormhole	Excluded	Maybe
Thermal insulation	Not required	Desirable
Cracks	May occur along the length of the product, but do not affect the strength	Available in widths up to 1 cm and lengths up to 150 cm.
Violation of the original geometry (warping)	Excluded	Maybe

Based on these data, we can conclude that the cost of glued material will be higher than that of conventional material. But, if you need a durable, attractive and functional building - a house or a bathhouse made of laminated veneer lumber, designed to last for several generations, then in this case the choice should be made in the direction of quality, not economy.

This does not mean that profiled lumber will serve much worse, but when choosing it you need to be more careful and purchase quality material from good and trusted manufacturers.

Before building a bathhouse from profiled timber with your own hands, you need to be puzzled by the choice of a suitable wood material - carefully examine the surface of the products, the performance indicators of the bathhouse will ultimately depend on this. You should not buy bars if:

there are cracks on the products;
there are dark, incomprehensible spots on the face (this indicates internal decay);
the material is covered with traces of wormholes;
quality of cut (correspondence to size).

To regulate the processes of warping of lumber, some manufacturers make compensation cuts in each product, so that if cracks appear, it will happen inside. Further, the individual choice will depend on the intended use of the building, for example:

heating of the bathhouse once a week;
rapid heating of the room;
warm walls inside;
Condensation should not cause damage to the walls and finishing of the building.

The microclimate of the bathhouse is influenced by the size of the lumber. It is not advisable to choose a section of beams that is too small, since the room will be cold, and one that is too large will not be profitable. Therefore, choosing the correct cross-section of the product is important.

Table of temperature and product cross-section

Temperature	Section
From -20 to -30°С	From 100x100
-30°С	150x150
-40°C and below	From 180x180

A cross-section of 100x100 for beams can save money when building a bathhouse from profiled timber - provided that the room is used periodically and the required temperature is maintained only during its use. If the winters in the region where you live are harsh, then a larger cross-section is needed.

For internal partitions, in all cases indicated in the table, 100x150 mm beams can be used. The length of lumber is most often no more than 6 meters.

Important! After purchase, wood products need a day to acclimatize. After this, you can begin construction work.

Which is better: a Finnish sauna made of laminated veneer lumber or a classic Russian log sauna

The differences between Finnish and Russian baths are the temperature in the steam room and the thermal conductivity of the air (depending on its humidity), pressure in the steam room, ease of construction, the bath procedures themselves, as well as the accessories used.

In an ideal Russian bath, the air temperature and humidity in the steam room are approximately the same, due to which the body warms up faster and better. The humidity in a Finnish sauna made of laminated veneer lumber is no more than 15%, while the air temperature reaches 150 ⁰C. However, you can stay in a Finnish sauna for a certain period of time without endangering your body.

In a Russian bath, it is necessary to periodically pour water over the hot bricks of the heater to produce steam. Due to this, excess pressure is created in the steam room, which is much higher than the pressure outside.

In a dry Finnish sauna, the pressure inside the steam room is the same as outside, and therefore even people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system can visit the sauna.

A Finnish sauna made of laminated veneer lumber is easier to build, and it is also safer during operation. Due to the high humidity characteristic of a Russian steam room, the materials used for interior decoration very quickly become unusable. For this reason, owners of country houses are increasingly resorting to building a Finnish sauna. However, traditionally there are also a sufficient number of people who like to take a steam bath.

A visit to a Russian bath involves the use of a broom, so the lack of mechanical impact and fairly low temperatures will not cause profuse sweating. This problem does not arise with a Finnish sauna. You will notice sweating as soon as you enter the steam room. In addition, for the effectiveness of bath procedures in a traditional Russian steam room, a much longer amount of time is required, which not everyone can afford.

In a Finnish sauna made of laminated timber, stones can be irrigated with aromatic oils and herbal infusions; such manipulations have a beneficial effect on the respiratory system. You can achieve a contrasting effect by taking a dip in a pool or ice hole after a steam room. The Finns, who have been adhering to their own bathing traditions for centuries, prefer to build saunas on the banks of bodies of water or install large containers of water nearby.

In modern conditions and the rhythm of life, a Finnish sauna with a swimming pool can be the best choice, which will not only give you a pleasant time in the company of friends, but will also have a preventive and therapeutic effect on a number of different chronic diseases.

Ideas for construction

Building your own sauna is the dream of most homeowners. A Finnish sauna with an electric stove allows you to equip it with your own hands in your apartment. There is a wide range of ready-made cabins for home saunas on sale. The size is designed for 1-2 users, takes up no more than two square meters of space and is placed in the bathroom or separately.

Such saunas are fully equipped with all necessary equipment and have detailed installation instructions. A specialist from the manufacturer will help you assemble the cabin and install all the components.

Construction of a sauna on a country site provides ample opportunities for creativity. It is quite possible to build a budget small bathhouse with your own hands. On an area of 10–12 sq. meters, everything you need fits in, the small size will allow you to save on heating, the small recreation room is expanded in the summer due to the veranda. The simplest design of a bathhouse with a veranda includes a steam room, shower and relaxation room or changing room and a terrace under a canopy.

It is worth spending extra money and increasing the size of the veranda. An open space under a canopy will allow you to admire the landscape and relax after hot procedures in the summer. Placing a barbecue area nearby will make for a comfortable evening relaxation in any weather. For year-round use of the bathhouse, panoramic glazing of the terrace is used, which is made of aluminum, wood or plastic sliding or swing structures. Glazing is also done with soft materials - polycarbonate or film.

Particularly noteworthy are permanent structures with a barbecue terrace under the same roof as a bathhouse. The brazier is installed in such a way that smoke does not enter the windows or the dining area. To do this, maintain a distance of at least two meters from the table and windows. The wall around the barbecue is finished with heat-resistant material - stone or bricks. For such a construction, you need free space on the site and significant financial investments.

Amateurs equip a dry sauna in a bath complex, where there is a comfortable shower, a swimming pool, a relaxation room, a billiard room or a room for training and spa treatments. These are elite complexes that use modern hydraulic structures under the roof or in the fresh air, which require communications and appropriate maintenance.

The main accent of such a bathhouse can be a glass roof, which will allow you to admire the starry sky while swimming in both summer and winter. The design of a bathhouse with a swimming pool in front of the terrace will combine a recreation area with an area of wellness treatments.

A budget-friendly and convenient option for summer cottage construction are barrel-shaped baths. This is an ideal option for a Finnish sauna. They are easy to install, have the necessary set of premises, quickly melt, are made of natural materials, and take up minimal space on the site.

Bath or sauna?

Sauna is an exclusively Finnish name. This is a bath in which steam is generated from the contact of water and hot stones, or a dry heat bath.

Interesting to know! Saunas play an important role in the celebration of some Finnish holidays. It is part of the holiday traditions during midsummer and Christmas celebrations. And only after the Christmas bath do the festivities begin!

The oldest Finnish saunas were designed as holes in the ground several thousand years ago. There are several so-called “stone saunas” that were used back in the Stone Age. The first decent “ground” saunas consisted of four walls, an entrance, a roof made of turf or animal skins and stones heated by fire.

Since then, the Finnish sauna has naturally improved and turned into a modern sauna. Wood stoves became the norm and the quality of construction improved.

As in the Russian tradition, the bathhouse occupied an important place in the daily life of the Finns. In addition to its direct purpose, it was also used as a place for births, deaths and care for the sick.

In the 18th century, wood-burning saunas with chimneys began to gradually gain popularity around the world. This was due to the great migration to the USA. Then the Finnish bathhouse was a square, squat log house, which stood almost half in the ground, with a wide door and a “blind” window.

After World War II, a revolutionary invention was released: the electric sauna. Such rooms quickly warmed up without the need to burn a bundle of wood.

Expert opinion

Lovkachev Boris Petrovich

Bath master who knows everything about steaming

Nowadays, smoke saunas are the oldest types of Finnish saunas and are generally the most respected among Finns. Among foreigners, on the contrary, electric and wood-burning ones are more revered, followed by smoke ones.

Projects

The project must be drawn up without fail, there are no details in it. A Finnish barrel-type sauna can even be made with your own hands. First you need to select boards (spruce or pine 9 cm wide and 4.5 cm thick). In most cases, the dimensions range from 250 to 400 - 450 cm, the exact size is determined by the required capacity of the structure. As a base, it is necessary to use strong coniferous beams, connected for maximum strength. When laying the floor, you need to create a slight slope, with the help of which water will drain better.

It is imperative to provide openings for the entry of electrical wires. More often in Finnish baths, a roof made of bitumen tiles is used, attached with nails and glued together inside

It is important to think about waterproofing and additional finishing of the roof from the inside to make it look more attractive. But it’s not enough to create a good project; you need to choose high-quality timber, because attempts to save on materials will result in additional problems

When it comes to beauty, you should be guided by your own taste.

Is it worth building a Finnish sauna from laminated timber yourself?

Any construction is preceded by design work. You can develop a project for a Finnish sauna made of laminated veneer lumber either independently or entrust this work to construction companies that have proven themselves in the market.

Any company will offer you special catalogs, thanks to which you can see photographs of finished works. In addition, construction organizations have various template projects with which you can decide on the design of the bathhouse. You can also come up with the layout and design of the sauna yourself, enlisting the help of professionals to transfer your ideas onto paper and bring them to life.

Finnish saunas made of laminated veneer lumber are ideal for those for whom the characteristics of a relaxation room such as strength, durability and environmental friendliness are important.

If the bathhouse project is developed by professionals, then you don’t have to worry about various important nuances. If, when drawing up a project yourself, you miss any detail that at first glance is not significant, the result may be unnecessary expenses or a reduction in the service life of the sauna.

For example, mistakes made when designing a ventilation system can cause the timber to deform, causing the wood itself to stop breathing.

Modern manufacturers offer ready-made kits for assembling baths, which include the necessary elements for the roof and the foundation of the structure. You can build such a small box in about seven days. One of the advantages of this option is the minimum amount of waste.

To build a turnkey Finnish sauna from laminated veneer lumber, it will take more time, since in this case it is necessary to additionally install a stove and chimney, and such work can be carried out by third parties. However, after construction is completed, such a sauna will have all the necessary communications and interior decoration. It is very important to install windows and doors correctly. Plastic elements cannot be used in a structure with such a functional purpose, but this point can be overlooked if you build a sauna yourself.

If you build a turnkey sauna, its cost will be about 20% higher than when using a ready-made kit. Therefore, it is better to build small saunas on your own (about sixteen to eighteen square meters), but if you need a more substantial structure, then you should turn to professionals for help.

Varieties and options

Let's consider projects from the smallest to the most spacious and their possible layout options:

3x3 m. Even in such a tiny bathhouse, a washing and steam room of 1.5 by 1.5 m, as well as a spacious relaxation room of 3 by 1.5 m, will fit well.
3x4 m. A project that accommodates a fairly spacious steam room and dressing room. The latter in this case serves as both a locker room and a resting place at the same time. You can often find bathhouses in the country in this exact area.
3x5 m. Already more spacious layout: a large relaxation room, a spacious steam room and even space for a shower.
3x8 m. An elongated version of the layout, reminiscent of a suite. It all starts with the terrace, then in succession there is a dressing room, a relaxation room, a shower room, and a steam room.
4x4 m. Another small project, but it can already accommodate a separate washing room, in addition to a relaxation room and a steam room.

4x5 m. In the layout of this bathhouse, preference is given to a spacious steam room, but there is also a lot of space left for a relaxation room.
5x5 m. A large recreation room allows you to receive a significant number of guests. It is characterized by the optimal size of the steam room and a small space for a shower.
6x3 m. In this project, the space is divided into a relaxation room and a steam room. There is also a small vestibule to prevent heat from escaping from the room.
6x4 m. The layout allows you to attach an attic, which provides additional opportunities for relaxation. The drawing also shows that the washing room and steam room are quite spacious, and the relaxation room opens up the possibility of accommodating more visitors.
6x6 m. Two-story bathhouse with a large relaxation room in the attic of the 2nd floor, shower and toilet, steam room on the first floor. This plan quite claims to be a summer guest house.

In case of limited finances, it is worth focusing on one-story projects of small footage: 3x4, 3x6 or 4x6. These optimal plans are easy to implement with your own hands.

Conclusion

Saunas have become extremely popular here too. And, although their design is almost no different from domestic baths, many people consider owning a dry steam room more prestigious.

You can choose any option from a variety of offers, place an order, and your own sauna will be assembled in a matter of days. But it is quite possible to design and build such a structure with your own hands.

If you are planning to surprise yourself and your loved ones with your own vacation spot, pay attention to the video in this article, there is a lot of useful information there.

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Contraindications

It is important not to forget about contraindications for visiting the sauna. You can't go there if:

body temperature is higher than normal;
infectious disease confirmed;
a non-infectious disease has worsened;
have cancer;
Serious problems with the heart, blood vessels, skin and lungs were discovered.

Anyone over 60 years of age who suffers from chronic inflammation or high blood pressure can visit a Finnish bath only with the permission of a doctor. It is unacceptable for children under 4 years of age to steam in a sauna; older children require a full examination and the consent of a doctor. By following the recommendations for building a Finnish sauna, arranging its interior space and using a sauna, you can achieve good results in construction and improve your health.

See below for more details.

Types of baths

Turkish hammam: in this bath the temperature can reach 35-45°, the importance in the hammam reaches 89 - 100%. Due to the low temperature, a soft atmosphere is formed.
Dry air (Finnish) sauna: low humidity, 5 - 20%, it has a high temperature, which reaches from 70 to 110°. There is no steam, and the high temperature warms your body as much as possible.
Wet sauna: the temperature in this sauna reaches 70 – 95° with a maximum humidity of 100%. The temperature in it rises due to the fact that water is poured onto the stones.
Japanese ofuro bath (water bath): in this bath the temperature reaches 40 - 60°, the humidity in it reaches 100%. This bathhouse becomes an exotic variety. It's basically a wooden barrel that is heated. Warming the skin under water helps wash away sweat and toxins.

Advantages of laminated veneer lumber

There are several undeniable advantages in construction:

Durability and great mechanical strength, which is achieved during the production process. The glued parts of the timber have no internal stress, so their deformation, even throughout their entire service life, is practically excluded.
Low thermal conductivity, also achieved by manufacturing technology from dry log components. With this method, there are no cracks or voids inside the product in which moisture can accumulate, and the percentage of finished product shrinkage is no more than 0.5%. When building baths, such indicators can be decisive when choosing the material for the construction.
A barrel sauna built from laminated veneer lumber contains a minimum of connecting elements. The integrity of the structure is ensured with the help of ridges, grooves and locks, which, when manufactured by gluing, have sufficient strength to securely fasten structural elements.

Just as in Russia steam rooms have been known since ancient times and many traditions, signs and folklore elements have arisen around them, in Finland the sauna has an important place in the culture of the country - even real championships in sauna sports are held

How much will it cost to build a Finnish sauna made of laminated veneer lumber?

Glued laminated timber is a fairly expensive material. However, thanks to a number of its features, you can save significantly when using it as a building material.

Compared to buildings made of logs, Finnish saunas made of laminated veneer lumber weigh much less. Due to their light weight, they do not require a powerful and expensive foundation. Experts suggest choosing the tape version, which is characterized by durability, ease of pouring, and the absence of large financial costs.

Finnish saunas made of laminated veneer lumber do not need to be insulated. You can give them better thermal insulation properties using moss or tow. You can also use artificial materials, in this case the cost of thermal insulation will be lower, but the quality will not be up to par, not to mention the low environmental friendliness of such materials.

Glued laminated timber is characterized by its natural beauty, thanks to which buildings made from it do not require additional external and internal finishing. Load-bearing structures can be protected using regular foil or polyethylene film.

You can also save on design costs by not ordering an overly complex project.

Think about how much area your future bathhouse should have. If there is no need, then there is no need to design very large rooms. By giving up unnecessary square meters, you can significantly save on construction.

The cost of a Finnish sauna made of square laminated timber will be less compared to a rectangular or stepped structure. If you organically combine different rooms, then you don’t have to erect unnecessary partitions between them. This approach will also save money.

By deciding to build a turnkey Finnish sauna from laminated veneer lumber, you will avoid disappointment and the need to remodel the structure. That is, the cost of professional services in this case will be completely justified. Companies that care about their own reputation control all stages of construction, using only proven technologies and materials. In addition, thanks to the preliminary estimate, you can more competently approach the preparation and calculation of the budget.

Features and Benefits

The climate of Finland is very close to the climate of our Russian northern and temperate latitudes. There is much in common in the way of life of our peoples. It is very reminiscent of the construction of a Finnish bathhouse using the method of kindling a black bathhouse, which was used until recently in Russia.

The stove in such a bathhouse was made without a chimney; hot smoke warmed the room, destroying bacteria. Before entering the steam room, the bathhouse was ventilated through a small window and an open door.

The soot disinfected the surfaces, and the black, smoked walls became absolutely sterile. There was also a tub or trough with water where the steamer washed himself off soot, which in its properties replaced soap. The water produced moist steam that penetrated the pores and cleaned them. The more seasoned ones took a dip in an ice hole or a river, so the bathhouse was placed on the edge of the village, preferably next to a reservoir.

Today, the Russian bathhouse, the heart of which is hot, up to +60-70°C, with up to 90% moist, aromatic steam, enjoys great popular love. Nearby there is a washing room and, of course, a dressing room with a dressing room.

Modern private housing construction has made it possible for almost every household to acquire its own bathhouse, which has expanded the list of necessary premises. A rest room has been added for breaks between hot procedures. The veranda under the bathhouse canopy turned into a place for family evening tea parties in the summer.

The steam room in the sauna takes up very little space, since it is heated with an electric stove to maintain dry air, and there are enough seats, since they do not steam with brooms. For cooling and bathing, use a shower or pool. As such, the technical room of the sauna occupies a very limited space, so it can easily be placed in a special glass booth in the bathroom of a city apartment.

You can equip a dry steam room in a traditional Russian bathhouse with a relaxation room and a wash room.

Therapeutic effect

There is such a thing as ''artificial heat'', which refers to the accelerated production of white blood cells in response to the high temperature in the sauna. This helps to significantly strengthen the immune system and destroy harmful microorganisms.
It has been scientifically proven that people who regularly visit the sauna produce much more interferon than other people. This protein reduces the chances of cancer several times.
Thanks to the abundant secretion of sweat glands (on average, from 0.5 to 1.5 liters at a time), waste and toxins are released along with them.
The condition of the skin improves, it becomes more elastic and smooth
The condition of the kidneys improves significantly
Recognized as an excellent prevention of arthritis, myositis and radiculitis. It is very helpful for chronic forms of runny nose, bronchitis and other nasal or throat diseases.
After all, this is a great rest for the body. Frequent sauna visitors experience an increase in the quality of sleep, appetite, and overall stamina. In the steam room you can perfectly relieve stress and tension accumulated throughout the working day.

Preparation for construction

It is more advisable to make a Finnish sauna in a wooden structure. Wood guarantees steam exchange between the sauna and outside air. If you can only use a concrete or brick building for a sauna, then there is no need to worry. Creating the necessary microclimate in such rooms is not a problem, you just need to figure out how to cover the space inside the building with boards.

The basement area allows you to create both a locker room and a relaxation room in the sauna

When the basement cannot be turned into a sauna, you should think about placing a steam room in the bathroom.

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A room intended for water treatments, like a swimming pool, is created behind the walls of the steam room. Therefore, it is not advisable to carry water into the room where they are steamed. But a sewer drain in the steam room may be needed if it is planned that the floor will not be washed in the usual way, but with a stream of water from a hose.

A Finnish bath takes up less space than a Russian one. In the sauna, unlike a regular bath, 3.3 m² can easily accommodate 4 people. A large company will be comfortable in a steam room with an area of at least 4.5 m².

Despite the size of 3*4 meters, the sauna has a washroom and a corridor

The standard width of the sauna is 2 meters, and the length is 2.4 meters. The distance from floor to ceiling in the steam room should be no more than 210 cm. Otherwise, the balance of humidity and temperature in the sauna will be disrupted, which will lead to a hot draft that can burn the skin. In a steam room with a height of 2.1 m, doors should be installed that will be installed literally 20 cm below the ceiling.

If you plan to build a steam room for one person, then it is worth considering the option of a small sauna 0.8x0.8 meters with a height of 210 cm.

This sauna looks like a cabin

This material is less susceptible to moisture

The insulation must be covered with a vapor barrier film, which prevents the material from absorbing moisture. This task is best accomplished by a special foil fabric that does not allow either steam or water to pass through, as a result of which it serves as a barrier to the formation of condensation.

The walls of the sauna are usually covered with clapboard made from dried aspen, African wood, alder, linden or cedar. It is preferable to choose a material for which aspen was cut down, because this tree has a beneficial effect on the body. Cedar paneling is recommended for finishing the walls in the sauna for those who love the smell of the forest.

Material with grooves and recesses is easy to mount on the wall

Sauna floors have long since ceased to be covered with wood materials, which quickly rot when exposed to moisture. As a floor covering for a Finnish sauna, it is wiser to use ceramic tiles that do not deteriorate in a humid environment. The surface of this material will not seem cold to your feet if you lay rugs on top of it.

List of materials

To build a sauna in your home you will need:

ceramic tile;
floor beams about 80 cm thick;
wooden slats 5x5 cm (for the steam room frame);
bars with a cross section of 3×4 cm and 3×6 cm;
concrete solution;
tile adhesive;
insulation;
aluminium foil;
vapor barrier film;
lining 2–3 cm thick;
tempered glass door;
nails 8–12 cm long;
self-tapping screws;
pushpins (for attaching foil);
boards for benches.

Usually, someone who wants to make a sauna on their own has difficulty calculating the number of tiles. To determine how much flooring is required, you need to refer to the formula N = Sp/Spl, where N denotes the number of tiles, Sp is the floor area in m², and Sp is the area of one tile in m².

Let's assume that the length and width of the sauna are 2 and 2.4 meters, respectively, and the size of the tiles is 40x40 cm. First, determine the area of one cell of the material: Spl = 0.4*0.4 = 0.16 m². After this, find the area of the sauna floor: Sp = 2*2, 4 = 4.8 m². Now find out the required number of tiles: N = 4, 8/0, 16 = 30 pcs. Of course, ceramic tiles need to be purchased with a reserve, in case some elements are damaged.

Thanks to the original colors of the floor tiles, the sauna can be made unusual

How much lining is required is also difficult to determine by eye. The total area for cladding is found using the formula: S = (2AH 2VN) – (ahn bh1n1). A is the length of the room; H - room height; B is the width of the room; a is the width of the window; b - door width; h, h1 - height of window and door; n, n1 - number of windows and doors.

To build a sauna you need to use certain tools:

building level;
plumb line;
circular saw;
a regular hammer and a rubber-coated hammer;
circular saw;
drills;
screwdriver;
electric jigsaw.

What must be included in the bathhouse project

Individual and standard projects for bathhouses made of timber should fully disclose the following points:

the category of foundation that will be optimal for the selected type of steam room, features of its drainage system, techniques that provide protection from moisture. Experts offer a separate drawing of the base;
methods of joining and making corner joints of timber. It is necessary to specify in the project the characteristics of the material from which the partitions and the frame itself will be assembled - cross-section, type of wood;
roof design, materials used, insulation options, if necessary;

Bathhouse made of timber with an attic, terrace and balconySource banya-expert.com

what will the floors be made of in the steam room, washing room and additional rooms;
does the future building need additional insulation measures, what methods are acceptable;
number of openings - doors and windows, their arrangement, specifics of glazing;
a detailed description of communications - electricity supply systems, ventilation, placement of drainage elements.

The bath sketch includes basic positions:

foundation plan;
detailed explanatory note, technical specification;
drawing of a bathhouse from all sides;
floor plan;
sectional design;
drawing of floors and rooms;
section of the rafter system, image of its general appearance;
three-dimensional visualization of all aspects of the project, including the facade of the bathhouse.

The appearance of the bathhouse is only an architectural design Source bani-nsk.ru

Construction process

The first thing you need to decide is what shape you want to give your future bathhouse, what compartments you will create in the building, how many people it will need to accommodate. It is also necessary to take into account that a bathhouse is a room with a high level of humidity, and wood that is not protected from the effects of steam and water may suffer, becoming covered with mold and mildew. Having thought through these nuances and decided on the perimeter of the structure, you can proceed to the design stage. Separately, you need to create a design for the foundations, and then designs for the required floors.

After creating the project, it is necessary to carry out detailed planning work. At this stage, you need to decide how much material is needed and what tools are needed for this. It is also necessary to find a supplier from whom you can purchase the required amount of construction raw materials at a favorable price, while also having a sufficiently high quality. Here reviews from friends can come to the rescue, but you can also evaluate the quality of the wood yourself by first reading the necessary literature on this topic. Various companies produce ready-made kits, after purchasing which you just have to put them together. Still, despite the reputation of the company from which you purchased the materials, it is necessary to carefully inspect the wood and treat it with an additional layer of protective coatings.

Insulation of a cobblestone bath: fiber insulation, foil vapor barrier, clapboard lining.

Stages of roofing

When it comes to construction, first determine the type of foundation you will use. Again, this is a very important part of the structure, because not only the durability of the building depends on the quality of the foundations, but also, possibly, the lives of people relaxing in this bathhouse. Each master prefers a different type of foundation. But this process also depends on the type of soil, groundwater level and particle size distribution. As a result, you can choose either a light fawn or a strip foundation. If you opted for tape, then this is really the right decision. If only because such a base will support a system of any weight. That is, if you are not able to calculate the actual weight of the building as accurately as possible, then such a foundation is guaranteed to provide you with stability and strength.

When installing this type of foundation, it is necessary to take into account the depth of soil freezing; professionals advise installing it 20 cm lower than this depth.

Since in our region the number of cycles of defrosting and refreezing of soil varies greatly in winter, this precaution will help reduce the load on the foundation

Insulation of a bathhouse from the inside

Laying a foundation for a timber bath

When all the features of local soils have been taken into account, you can begin marking the area and dividing it along the axes of the building. Therefore, after this it is necessary to dig a pit of the required width, height and length. After that, it’s time to place the foundation pad in the pit, strictly along the axes. Having created waterproofing, you can easily begin placing the foundation blocks directly on the pillows.

A foundation is built on a base of sand and crushed stone, and the process of creating it is completed with the correct screed, as well as a layer of concrete, which provides protection from external destructive factors.

Construction of a bathhouse from timber

Bathhouse roof made of metal tiles

Materials for building a bathhouse

When starting construction, you must first decide what type of bathhouse you will have:

From timber or oscillated logs.
Made of stone, blocks or bricks.
Frame bath.

Log sauna

The advantages of wood as a building material are undeniable:

Availability.
Environmentally friendly.
Low price.
Pleasant stay.

Baths made of timber

An absolutely warm and durable building is being built. For such a structure there is no need to insulate the building. You can build walls from either logs or beams. A wooden bathhouse creates a great atmosphere due to its appearance.

Other types of wood used to build a bathhouse:

Debarked: quickly processed, additional landscaping is required.
Scraped: very deep processing of wood, allows the durability of the building.
Planed: giving the structure thermal insulation.
Lafetted: dense laying is carried out during construction.
Rounded: it has an attractive appearance, standard dimensions, and a long-term service life of this structure.

Types of wood for a bath

Wooden bathhouse

The most popular bathhouse is made of timber. This building material maintains the quality of wood and does not deform in climatic conditions. The timber is easy to treat with a protective coating, so it lasts a long time.

Bathhouse made of stone, brick, blocks

Stone and brick are used less frequently, due to the fact that a special foundation is needed, and the walls need to be heated for a long time. A brick bath has many advantages:

Long service life, does not require unnecessary finishing work.
Great thermal insulation properties.
You can build a large and complex project.
There are no rotting properties and pests will not destroy it.

This bathhouse is more expensive, requires proper ventilation, and a huge load on the foundation.

Frame bath

At affordable prices, it is light in weight and does not require a foundation. The frame bath does not sag, so you can immediately begin finishing materials. There are also disadvantages: the building has a low level of vapor barrier, the walls of the structure need to be insulated and protected from moisture.

Bathhouse made of blocks

The blocks are much lighter than heavy bricks, and they do not require a strong foundation. The blocks can be easily cut with a hacksaw; special glue is used when laying them.

Equipment

When equipping a sauna, special attention is paid to the choice of stove. The electric oven is easy to use, safe, compact

Many models, in addition to manual control, are equipped with a remote control. Another advantage of electric ovens is the various installation options. Thus, hanging models will help save space in small rooms.

For lovers of live fire, a wood-burning stove is suitable. But it should be taken into account that installing a wood-burning heater is a complex process and will require the organization of a chimney and ventilation.

Regardless of the type of stove (electric or wood-burning), when choosing and installing it, you should adhere to the following requirements:

the power must correspond to the following indicators - for 1 m3 of steam room there are 1-1.5 kilowatts of oven power (for example, a 6 kW oven can be installed in rooms up to 9 m3); special attention is paid to choosing a place to install the stove - guests should calmly move around the steam room without the risk of getting burns.

And, of course, mandatory fire insulation of the stove in places adjacent to the walls (if a suspended model is used) and the floor. When installing an electric furnace, you should follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Selection of oven

In order for visiting the steam room to bring nothing but joy, you need to choose the right sauna stove. Electric heaters are mostly made of high-grade stainless or galvanized steel. Due to this, the environmental and sanitary indicators of structures are always at a high level. Such stoves can quickly heat the air; they are controlled using remote controls (built into the housing or separate)

It is worth paying attention to versions that have a built-in steam generator, which allows you not to be limited to the traditional Finnish mode (you can steam like in a Russian bathhouse)

As for manufacturers, the first lines of the rating are occupied by products from: Helo, Harvia, Sawo. The quality of the products of these three companies is stable, and the involvement of leading designers allows you to create a unique appearance. If the goal is to choose a wood-burning stove, you need to focus on products made from expensive types of steel containing a significant amount of chromium. Due to this additive, structures are characterized by increased resistance to heat, last a very long time and do not let consumers down.

produces furnace bodies with a thickness of 0.5 - 0.8 cm, and the device is capable of achieving an efficiency of 70% (subject to compliance with handling rules). They can seriously compete with products released under the Harvia brand, whose fireboxes are cast iron, and the body is made of multilayer steel. The emission of gaseous waste is 80% less (this will please environmental connoisseurs).

A stove for a Finnish sauna must be equipped with a convection casing. Only such a device allows you to provide the required speed of air heating. It must circulate continuously, otherwise it will not be possible to maintain the very regime that glorified the Finnish baths. To prevent burns and reduce harsh radiation, users have two options: installing special mesh filled with stones around the stoves, and also covering the entire surface of the body with carefully selected stone slabs.

Features of the Finnish sauna

The two main pillars on which the entire sauna system rests are a combination of a fairly high temperature (on average, about one hundred degrees) and low humidity - from 10 to 25 percent. What does this give?

At a minimum, these are more gentle conditions for the body than in a hammam or Russian bath, because... The sweat released instantly evaporates and there is no chance for the body to overheat. This is the main reason for the medicinal properties, which will be discussed further.

Types of timber

For the construction of a bathhouse, the most preferred material is timber.

This is due to a number of reasons:

thanks to the strict geometry of the parts, the material is easily joined, and construction time is reduced;
natural material is made of natural wood, which makes it environmentally friendly and recommended for allergy sufferers;
retains heat on its own, but if necessary, it is enough to simply perform additional thermal insulation;
this material evens out the humidity level well;

gives low shrinkage compared to a solid log;
resistant to linear deformation and noticeable cracking;
has resistance to fire, moisture, rot, mold;
the costs of additional raw materials for finishing are eliminated, since timber is a completely self-sufficient building material.

There are several types of timber:

Japanese sauna – ofuro

In Japanese baths, instead of burning air or steam, preference is given to burning water. A traditional sento sauna is an ordinary pool with warm water at 40-45°C, where people come not to cleanse the body, but to easily relax and chat with friends.

Ofuro looks like a bathtub. This is a round, oval or rectangular font, made of oak, larch or cedar. The oven is immersed in water and maintains the desired temperature. You should immerse yourself in such a bath so that the water does not reach your heart. Do not overdo it: the procedure should last no more than 15 minutes.

The apartment version of the font is equipped with an external electric furnace, and water exchange occurs due to two pipelines, one of which pumps water into the electric furnace, and through the other the heated water comes back. An identical temperature level is maintained by the installed sensor.

Turnkey winter baths made of timber and mini timber

The construction of bathhouses in a suburban area involves the construction of a spacious building in which it is convenient to take a steam bath with the whole family all year round or have a good time in a large company.

Wooden baths are especially popular.

Wood has a number of undeniable advantages:

after heating, it releases essential oils that are beneficial to humans,

environmentally friendly and aesthetically unique,

contain antiseptic substances,

can be used in Russian steam and Finnish sauna mode.

A winter bathhouse that perfectly retains heat and steam is most often built in the form of a traditional Russian log house from thick logs, but a structure built from wood with natural moisture shrinks and requires careful sealing of the cracks between the logs.

A winter bath made of timber and mini timber is built much faster. If the timber is dry it gives a barely noticeable shrinkage. A bathhouse made of timber and mini-timber can be assembled and almost ready for use in 1-2 weeks.

Specialists build a turnkey winter bath in several stages:

1. Inspection of the site.

2. Project selection.

3. Laying the foundation. The most commonly used foundation is a pile-screw foundation, but other types can also be used.

a rough layer of antiseptic-treated boards,

logs for installing the finished floor (the distance between the logs does not exceed 600 mm),

layer of 200 mm Rockwool insulation,

finished floor made of tongue-and-groove boards 35 mm thick.

double timber, 190 mm thick,

insulation layer 100 mm ecowool,

the height of the internal walls at the ceiling junction is 240 mm.

Rehau Blitz profile.

interior beech wood from Verda,

door to the steam room with heat and waterproofing.

rafters 50x200 mm,

layer of 200 mm Rockwool insulation,

lathing 20x100 mm,

flexible Shinglas tile with a ridge lined with roofing felt.

9. Interior finishing of the ceiling with grade A clapboard.

For areas with very low temperatures in winter, a double-timber bathhouse is an excellent option.

The walls of such buildings consist of three layers:

outer shell of the wall made of timber,

internal shell made of timber.

The walls of a bathhouse made of double timber are lightweight and do not require a powerful foundation to build. If the timber is dry, the shrinkage does not exceed 1% and is practically unnoticeable.

Finishing does not require sufficient treatment of the external and internal surfaces with antiseptic impregnations.

Entrust the construction of a bathhouse made of timber and mini-timber to professionals, and enjoy bathing procedures for many years.

Turnkey winter baths made of timber and mini timber

The NeoGarden company carries out the construction of wooden baths and saunas from timber, mini timber and double timber on a turnkey basis in St. Petersburg, Moscow and the region. We sell ready-made mini baths and saunas for cottages made of timber and mini-timber inexpensively with a quality guarantee, at low prices from the manufacturer. Included in the price of the bath

Stages of construction of a Finnish sauna made of laminated veneer lumber

Before you start drawing up a plan or project, decide on the location of your Finnish laminated timber sauna. It’s good if you choose a place downwind from other buildings on the site. In this case, the sauna will be protected from the negative effects of slanting rain.

Also look at the distance from the bathhouse to the water (ideally it will be about fifteen to twenty meters). If possible, choose a place located as far away from the roadway as possible.

Stage 1. Design and preparation of a work plan

Design is an important preparatory stage preceding the construction of any building. First of all, you should decide what size and layout the future Finnish bathhouse made of laminated veneer lumber will have. The main elements of a sauna, which must be present, include a steam room (about 6 square meters), a wash room (about 6 square meters), a relaxation room (about 10-18 square meters), and a terrace (about 5 square meters). The location of the premises must be thought out in advance, otherwise during the construction process it may be necessary to change them.

For example, you decided to build a Finnish sauna from laminated timber with the following parameters - total area 27 square meters, steam room - 7.1 square meters, vestibule - 1.8 square meters, utility room - 1.2 square meters, porch - 6, 3 square meters, shower room - 3.2 square meters, rest room - 7.4 square meters.

Then a list of materials and tools necessary for construction is compiled, and the cost of constructing a Finnish bathhouse from laminated veneer lumber is compiled and calculated.

If performing calculations on your own causes you difficulties, you should seek help from specialists. You can also assemble a sauna with your own hands, using a special kit for building a sauna from ready-made laminated veneer lumber, which can be purchased at the factory.

Stage 2. Creating the foundation of the bathhouse

When building a Finnish sauna from laminated veneer lumber, as when constructing any other building, the foundation is first laid. The simplest and therefore most common option is its tape variety. Among its advantages, we note the simplicity of laying, which even a novice builder can do, as well as the ability to withstand a fairly large weight of the structure being built. Keep in mind that the foundation should be twenty centimeters lower than the soil freezing level (with the exception of sandy and dry soils, in which case the foundation location may be higher than the freezing level). Heaving soils and deeply frozen soils are not suitable for building a bathhouse.

A properly laid foundation is characterized by the following features:

high strength;
excellent frost resistance;
ability to withstand seasonal soil movements and groundwater.

To create a strip foundation, a pit is initially dug, the bottom of which is filled with sand. The height of the sand cushion can vary from twenty to sixty centimeters. A layer of concrete is poured on top of it, after which it is time to lay waterproofing and install the blocks.

Stage 3. Construction of walls and window decoration

The walls of a Finnish sauna made of laminated veneer lumber are horizontally installed beams connected to each other by notches. The row of beams is called the crown, and the log house itself is called the skeleton of the structure. When building a wall, grooves are made in each of the beams, which are fastened to the plane of the previous beams. The space between them is filled with one centimeter of insulation (which is jute and moss).

To avoid rotting, a layer of special waterproofing is laid between the foundation and the log house.

Assembling walls from laminated veneer lumber is not particularly difficult. Builders say that such work is reminiscent of playing with a children's construction set. All the elements have already been prepared, which means that the person building the Finnish bathhouse only needs to correctly connect them together. One of the advantages of the material is that there is no need for additional cladding or finishing.

To make windows, grooves are prepared at the top and bottom and thin slats are selected. After insulating the grooves, platbands are installed. Windows in the steam room cannot be made of coniferous wood, since when heated the material begins to release resin.

Stage 4. Roof installation

The roof of a Finnish bathhouse made of laminated veneer lumber can be made single or gable, and there can also be an attic underneath it. If you choose the option with an attic space, you will first need to install the floors, and then build the roof. If you don’t need an attic, then the roof will be combined with the ceiling. Such attic-free options are ideal for small spaces.

First, it is necessary to erect load-bearing structures (rafters), then lay the roof and lath. Rafters can be hanging or inclined. Then the eaves decking is done and then the gable weight is sheathed.

The roof of a Finnish sauna made of laminated veneer lumber can be made from:

Roof tiles, a reliable but heavy material that can last for decades. Tiles can only be used in the construction of large saunas. When choosing this roofing material, pay attention to the high strength of the rafters and sheathing.
Steel sheets, the lightest material that requires compliance with a certain laying technology. Under no circumstances should the sheets be placed on top of each other, only side by side and fastened with clamps, otherwise you will encounter rust on the roof.
Slate, this material is also suitable for the construction of a Finnish sauna from laminated veneer lumber, but do not forget about its limited service life (no more than fifteen years).

After completing the roofing work, all that remains is to install gutters, eaves and pipes through which rainwater will flow down.

Stage 5. Finishing the bath

Walls made of laminated veneer lumber do not require finishing, however, if you want, they can be painted. The finishing can be done from linden, alder or aspen lining. The floor can be two-layer, in which case the layers are insulated with mineral wool.

It is good to equip a steam room with a vapor barrier, otherwise the laminated veneer lumber may not withstand such high temperatures and humidity. Foil or plastic film is suitable as a vapor barrier material. The vapor barrier is sewn up using clapboard, blockhouse or edged boards. The best option would be elm, oak, beech.

Stage 6. Establishing communications

Each Finnish sauna made of laminated veneer lumber is equipped with water supply, drainage and electricity systems.

Work on the electrical supply of baths is considered dangerous; wires are attached to wooden walls and covered with metal hoses. For lamps, shades that are insulated from moisture are chosen, and switches and sockets are placed only in those rooms of the sauna where the humidity level is not increased.

Foundation

Regardless of the type of foundation chosen, you should consider in advance the presence of a centralized water drainage system. It will not be superfluous to carry out a soil analysis before construction to understand what type of foundation is most suitable. The foundation must be strong and frost-resistant.

Timber is a lightweight material that does not require a solid foundation. But for two-story baths, it is worth choosing a strip foundation with a depth of up to 0.5 meters; the base of the bath should be above ground level.

Quite often, a columnar foundation is used - these are concrete beams made of blocks and bricks, erected to a certain height. They are installed at a distance of 2 meters from each other along the entire perimeter of the future bathhouse, at the intersections of load-bearing partitions, in the place where the sauna stove is installed. However, it is not recommended to install it on clay soils.

Steel tubular supports with a propeller blade are screwed into the ground below its freezing level with the same pitch as in the previous version. It can be installed even on a steep slope.

Russian bath

Such baths come with a “black” and “white” firebox. In the first version, the fireplace does not have a chimney; the smoke comes out either through the door or through a special hole in the ceiling. Today, similar baths are rare, but they still have their own charm - the smell of smoke and tar gives them a special atmosphere.

The “white bath” is distinguished by the fact that its steam room does not have an open fire. Due to the closed stove-stove, the oxygen inside is not burned out. The air under the ceiling warms up to 80°C, and near the floor up to 45°C. At the same time, a high-quality stove does not allow carbon monoxide and smoke to pass through. The water is heated in a boiler, which is built into the stove. To achieve the required concentration of steam around the stove, water or herbal infusions are poured onto the hot stones; therefore, the humidity in such a bathhouse is very high.

And finally, according to every steam room rule, brooms are used. In addition to traditional birch, many also choose oak, fir, juniper, cypress, bird cherry and linden.

Projects

Before starting construction, you need to decide on the design of the sauna. You can install a traditional log house - reliably and aesthetically, especially if you use rounded logs.

The second option is timber, it is better to choose factory timber that has been treated with fire retardants and antiseptics.

Finnish baths are built mainly from timber. Due to the smooth surfaces of this material, a tight fit is ensured, unlike logs, for example. This means there is no need to insulate the cracks with tow. Plus, minimal costs for interior finishing - the surface of the walls is smooth.

Before starting construction, it is worth considering all existing options for sauna projects. The bathhouse can be combined with the house or stand-alone, for example, one-story. The two-story mansion also looks interesting, where, in addition to the steam room and washing room, there is a relaxation room and a billiard room, a terrace and a balcony.

Infrared sauna

Perhaps this is the most super-compact solution for a steam room, which can be installed even in a city apartment.

The heating of the body occurs due to infrared radiation. When living in an apartment, such a sauna can be easily installed even on a loggia; all that remains is to install electricity.

One of the main advantages of an infrared sauna is its accessibility. The low temperature inside (45-55°C) and the lack of steam allow both older people and infants to enjoy spending time in it without fear.

Another significant plus is saving time. You can warm up the infrared sauna within 15 minutes, and you do not need to heat the stove. The entire space inside the room is heated evenly. Moreover, anyone can assemble such a sauna in 2 hours: you will need a screwdriver, a screwdriver and a minimum of skills.