The owner of a suburban area often faces the question of erecting an individual building for a bathhouse. The layout of the bathhouse, where the sink and steam room are separate, is a crucial moment, where it is important to study the drawings and step-by-step guides. The area of such a house usually allows the building to fit even on small plots. If we are talking about full-scale territories, then for a special building you can allocate a full-fledged place, for example, provide for the construction of a 6x6 bathhouse with an attic.
Should I combine a steam room with a washing room or not?
Most often, the question “to combine a steam room with a washing room or not” arises when there is insufficient space for construction, a limited budget, or a lack of materials. Otherwise, combining rooms that are completely different in functionality and purpose is not recommended. The combined project is absolutely not suitable for baths with metal stoves. After all, it is impossible to choose the optimal temperature to make it comfortable to steam and wash at the same time.
Washing room with steam room - 2 in 1
When a small-sized bathhouse is being built (less than 16 m2), combining a washing room with a steam room is completely justified. In this case, two separate spaces are arranged:
- dressing room - also a locker room, a rest room, a room for heating and storing a small amount of firewood,
- 2 in 1 steam room - a steam room with a heater and a lounger in combination with a washing room, where there is a bench for basins and other accessories, as well as a tank with cold water. An additional tank for preparing hot water is mounted on the stove.
If you are forced to combine bath rooms, it is recommended to arrange a steam room with a lounger closer to the ceiling, where the temperature is higher. Benches for washing are placed on the lower level at the base, where the air is cooler.
To make it comfortable to steam and wash, the “stones” are made to be closed. First, they are opened to create good steam, and before airing and washing, they are closed to reduce the heat as much as possible.
Pros and cons
In winter, a compact 2 in 1 bathhouse (steam room with sink) for taking wellness treatments is convenient and economical. Compared to large separate rooms, it heats up quickly and requires little time to ventilate before washing. However, in the summer, due to the inability to promptly cool the washing area, the advantages of the “integrated” solution are reduced to a minimum.
Advantages
simplicity of layout with low construction costs,
- saving usable space,
- minimal consumption of resources for heating rooms and preparing steam.
There are more disadvantages than other universal solutions
- cramped conditions do not bring much joy, and the steam is not at all the same
- excessive moisture of the walls and floor of the steam room,
- simultaneous wellness treatments for only 2–4 people,
- all visitors either steam or wash,
- the need for ventilation before washing, since it is impossible to wash immediately after taking steam in high heat,
- During the washing process at high temperatures, discomfort occurs due to overheating of the body.
Wash or steam?
The main argument in favor of a separate solution is the large difference in humidity levels and temperatures, which exceeds 40 degrees or more. Each of these rooms is used to solve various problems, combining which is problematic:
- Steam room is a special room of small dimensions, equipped with a device for preparing steam (stones) and equipment for convenient steam procedures (shelves, sunbeds). Operating temperature +100 +20 0 C with a humidity of 20 +10% (sauna) or +40 +20 0 C with a humidity of 60 +20% (wet steam room).
- The washing room is a spacious room with accessories and equipment for washing: benches with basins, a shower, containers for cold and hot water, etc. The average temperature is +25 +5 0 C with a humidity of 70%.
Given the different functionality, combining a steam room and a washing room will lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of both procedures. You can’t enjoy dry steam when there is excess moisture, just like you can’t take a bath in extreme heat.
This is especially important for true connoisseurs of the steam room, for whom the bath is a kind of ritual with certain accessories while strictly observing the temperature and humidity level
Should I combine a steam room with a washing room or not?
If there is enough space for construction, the question is: “should I combine a steam room with a washing room or not?” – is clearly decided in favor of a separate arrangement. There is no point in combining rooms.
Foam block, aerated concrete
Construction of a partition from an aerated block
A partition made from this material is built according to the brick principle, but there are some nuances.
- When purchasing, choose a material whose sides are as smooth as possible, this will make the whole process easier for you.
- It is better to use a special glue for the solution, which is more flexible and dries faster. If you want to prepare it yourself, then the proportions will be 4:1; in addition to sand and cement, you will also need a plasticizer and a foam additive (they need 50 grams per batch).
- The first row is tried on without glue. If one of the blocks needs to be trimmed, it is better to trim the two outer ones to the same size to get a good dressing.
- In the same way as in the previous case, ligation is carried out with load-bearing walls using reinforcement or metal plates.
- After two rows, a metal mesh is placed in the seam.
- The doorway and the partition above it are planned in the same way as in the previous version.
- Finishing is done using facing material or putty.
Interfacing walls made of aerated concrete
Note! Be sure to provide ventilation in all rooms. This will help prevent the growth of fungus and mold.
To do this, you can install supply valves that will shut off. You can also install anemostats into the ceiling and draw leads from them through the ceiling to the roof.
Now you know how to make a partition in a bathhouse. There are no barriers to trying to build it yourself.
In a brick bath, the partition between the steam room and the relaxation room can be made of foam blocks - a material that is more accessible to install and use.
The significant advantages of the blocks are:
- low weight compared to brick;
- large dimensions, thanks to which the construction of the structure is completed faster;
- convenience and ease of installation;
- low cost.
The technology for installing the material is similar to brickwork and involves the following stages of work:
- The preparatory stage is carried out in the same way as in the previous version. Carrying out the necessary markings, fixing the cord to determine the contours of the future structure.
- Dry laying of the initial block row. If necessary, the blocks can be cut with a grinder or a hacksaw to obtain the required width.
- To connect individual elements, a special adhesive solution for foam blocks is used, prepared according to the instructions.
- The adhesive mixture is applied evenly in a thin layer, after which the foam blocks are installed in a row. For additional structural strength and reliable connection to the walls, reinforcing rods or nails up to 6 cm long are used. They are installed in holes previously prepared in the wall.
- After the partition has been erected to the upper level of the doorway, several reinforcing bars are installed above it along its entire length as a base, after which the blocks are laid up to the ceiling.
The same adhesive mixture is suitable for plastering foam blocks. After drying, the wall is primed and puttied. Painting composition or ceramic tiles are used as decorative materials.
Bathhouse layout: draft plan for washing and steam room separately with your own hands
The classic version is made from cylindered logs or bars. The only difference between building materials is the wood processing technology. The basis of such a structure is usually a log house or box. Environmentally friendly materials and quick construction times make this type of bathhouse the most popular.
Particular attention when planning a 5x6 bath, where the sink and steam room are separate (see photo in the article), should be paid to the quality of the wood
It must be well dried, otherwise defects may appear over time. Typically, wooden baths are formed with separate rooms; there are many photographs online of what a finished wooden bath looks like.
For a comfortable stay and the possibility of carrying out all the necessary bath procedures, the building must have the following required premises:
- steam room;
- washing;
- rest room.
The optimal size of the bath is 4x6 meters. Such a building will look natural on a small summer cottage, and will allow you to comfortably organize a vacation for a small company of 4-6 people.
Owners of spacious country estates will also be satisfied with the project: the absence of unnecessary details will not affect the quality of relaxation, especially since a small bathhouse retains heat better and warms up faster.
The presence of a separate steam room and washing room helps solve many functional issues.
Firstly, the separation of these two zones is reasonable, since the washing room does not need high temperatures, while the steam room can be quickly and efficiently heated to the required state. A similar situation arises with excessive humidity in the steam room in the immediate vicinity of the washing room.
It is important to consider that too humid air at high temperatures is tolerated much worse by the human body. Secondly, it becomes possible to install a dousing bucket with invigorating cold water in the wash room, which will not heat up from the heat from the steam room. Thirdly, staying in the bathhouse at the same time for men and women will be much more comfortable with separate rooms.
When planning a bathhouse with separate washing and steam rooms with a total size of 3x5 meters, it is necessary to divide the entire space into three parts.
A space of 1.5x3 meters is intended for the rest room. This is quite enough so that you can undress/dress quite comfortably, and even relax after bath procedures. But you can see what a bathhouse with a pool under the roof looks like in this material.
Brick bathhouse: insulating walls from the inside
After all stages of construction have been completed, it is necessary to ensure reliable protective thermal insulation inside the building. It is known that brick releases the internal heat of a room much faster than building material made of wood, logs and/or logs. And although, unlike log walls, there are no cracks in the brickwork, such a wall takes a very long time to heat up. There are several ways to insulate the brick walls of a bathhouse from the inside. A common option is an additional wall, which is made of timber.
A wooden grate is mounted on a vertical brick surface, and waterproofing material, foil or expanded clay is fixed onto it. A good option is basalt and/or fiberglass insulation, which is not afraid of temperature changes and high humidity in the interior. The next touch in the decoration of the steam room is clapboard lining, the material of which is selected from deciduous wood, giving the interior a pleasant aroma, for example, linden or oak. A more labor-intensive, but reliable insulation is laying thermal insulation in 2 layers. The sequence of such an assembly process is as follows:
- internal brick surface;
- waterproofing agent;
- frame slatted grille;
- selected insulation;
- sheathing of the second ball;
- fiberglass;
- vapor barrier material;
- wall upholstery with wooden clapboard.
Construction of a wooden bath
The standard design of a wooden bathhouse is a sink, a dressing room and a steam room
When determining the external dimensions of the bathhouse, the main attention is paid to the areas of two main rooms - the washing room and the steam room. If you make them large, then heating the bath will take a long time and require a considerable amount of fuel
In addition, in a spacious steam room it is difficult to achieve the optimal ratio between temperature and steam humidity. If the rooms are made small and cramped, then swimming, relaxing or treatment in the bathhouse will become less pleasant and comfortable.
Often, a washing room and a steam room are combined into one room, based on original Russian traditions. This saves building space and fuel when preparing for a swim, and is also convenient if you like to steam. If your household or friends cannot tolerate steam or are generally contraindicated in high temperatures, they will not be able to use the bathhouse. Try to separate the steam room and the washing room with at least a light partition. Then a bathing holiday with family or friends will be equally enjoyable for everyone.
It is better to abandon the design of a bathhouse, where there is no dressing room at all, and the heating of the stove is carried out in a washing room or steam room. Any liquid, solid or gaseous fuel emits carbon monoxide, which is dangerous to humans. In a bathhouse, even its minimal concentration can lead to loss of consciousness, a sharp decrease in blood pressure, or a disruption of the heart rhythm.
The use of electric heaters is also undesirable. No matter how high-quality the insulation is, it is sooner or later damaged by high humidity and relatively sharp temperature changes. This may cause a short circuit and may result in electric shock to persons through metal or wet surfaces. Electric heaters should be placed only in a steam room, installing fences to prevent human contact with the surfaces of the device.
A properly designed bathhouse has at least three rooms - a dressing room, a washing room and a steam room.
Types of layouts
When creating the layout of a small bathhouse with an area of 9 square meters, it is important not only to maintain the proportions of the premises. Simple separation by partitions is an attractive option, but not the most convenient
The complete absence of corridors and vestibule, passage spaces leads to problems with ventilation, the spread of unnecessary humidity and simply an increase in temperature in the recreation area. Therefore, you need to consider other options for combining a firebox, steam room, washing room and dressing room.
Combined space
The combination of a steam room and a wash room is not very popular, since it is difficult to maintain the desired temperature in such a room. Carrying out hygiene procedures in a hot bath is not comfortable; as a rule, in such conditions it is impossible to fully wash your hair or cleanse your skin due to the rush. If the stove is ordinary, wood-burning, for example, then it is completely impossible to regulate the temperature quickly. However, there are some layout options that can make your stay in such a bathhouse more comfortable.
The washing area is placed as close as possible to the rest room or dressing room at the maximum distance from the stove. If possible, you need to install a small partition. It can be made of thin wooden slats. This will maintain privacy while keeping the heat at bay. It is optimal to install a tray and a barrel with cold water, which is filled automatically. In this case, supplying hot water directly to the washing area is necessary. Another way to solve existing problems with such a layout is to install a stove with a complex temperature control system. By slightly reducing the heat, you can make the microclimate more comfortable. It will take some time for subsequent warming up, but this is not critical.
When combining a steam room and a washroom, you can completely abandon the shower elements in this room. You can install the cabin in the rest room, laying out the floor around it with waterproof materials and making the glass opaque. This is a good opportunity to wash off all excess skin and cool down before relaxing.
Split layout
This option is the most convenient. It can be implemented in a small area. The wash room is made very small or expanded to include a seating area. A more spacious room will be needed if it is a summer house for a large family or a house where people live all year round. In these cases, more storage space is needed, and in the wash room you can additionally equip an outdoor shower or a place for washing.
A simple but practical option is to arrange a walk-through washing room and arrange the rooms one behind the other. First, a dressing room with a minimum temperature, then a washing area, which does not need to be additionally heated, and then a steam room with a firebox. Part of the stove can be placed in the second room, which will completely eliminate additional heating in winter. Supplying hot water from the boiler will also be convenient in this case. It will be possible to run a continuous pipeline through the entire building.
Another option is to allocate a washing room in parallel with the steam room
In this case, it is important to insulate the cold external walls so that additional heating of the room is not required. Using a furnace and hot piping is also possible
The disadvantage of this layout is that the entrance to the steam room is in no way separated from the relaxation area. When you open the door, not only hot air will enter here, but also moist steam. Therefore, it is important to choose materials that are resistant to such negative impact factors for decoration and furnishings. However, you can move it into the wash area, making it a walk-through area. In this case, it is important to insulate the adjacent wall so that the dressing room does not warm up too much, and the steam room, on the contrary, does not get cold ahead of time.
When each zone is placed separately, the space is literally “eaten up” by doors and partitions, as well as corners that are difficult to fully use. Therefore, it is possible to provide not the classic rectangular shape of the rooms, but sloping walls along the diagonal. The triangular-shaped washing room is located in the far corner so that cold air from the entrance to the bathhouse does not enter there. At the steam room, the junction of two walls becomes sloping. At the same time, one corner is retained so that it reliably protects the area from cold air from the front door. This allows you to increase the active area of both the steam room and the relaxation area. Many interesting ideas for 3x3 bathhouse layouts, where the sink and steam room are arranged separately, can be found in the photo. This option is very convenient for those who permanently live on the site and often use this building.
What you should immediately consider
Everyone’s needs are different, so it’s worth starting to design a bathhouse with a steam room, sink, relaxation room, bathroom, terrace, swimming pool, etc., with how exactly you are going to use this bathhouse in the future.
The second point is what the climatic conditions are like where your bathhouse will be - there are specifics for areas with particularly harsh winters, for example.
The third point is what opportunities you have, from budget to the geology of the site.
And if there is certainty at least on the points:
- number of persons;
- frequency and seasonality of use;
- type of bath (Russian or Finnish, iron or brick stove);
- wall material (logs, beams, bricks, blocks, frame);
- dimensions of a geologically suitable area;
- allowable costs,
- then you can start designing.
We will show you options for what a bathhouse can look like given certain given dimensions - these are not the only options for plans, you can build on them and make any necessary adjustments.
Let's put it this way: our article is for those who have already figured out in their minds what size of bath they are expecting and would like to get acquainted with ready-made plans so that in the end they can either choose a ready-made one or make their own based on the existing ones.
IMPORTANT! When looking at the plans, take into account the fact that we did not take into account the thickness of the walls and insulation, and this can significantly reduce the area of the room from the inside. Therefore, calculate in advance the thickness of the walls and the insulation cake, and then subtract it from your plan (or, conversely, add it if you want to maintain the dimension inside)
Basic design work: determination of the main characteristics of the building
For the convenience of visitors and to create comfortable conditions for receiving bath procedures, it is necessary to provide all the necessary premises. One of the main rooms is a steam room, in which a completely unique temperature and humidity regime and microclimate are created using a heater stove. Together they have a powerful healing effect.
To achieve it requires quite a lot of time, and therefore a long stay of visitors. Designs of bathhouses with a toilet provide for the presence of a full-fledged bathroom, which ensures the possibility of their year-round use. For its installation, an isolated room of sufficient area is allocated, which is equipped with a toilet with a flush cistern.
In addition to the listed premises, the bathhouse should have a washing room and a dressing room or rest room. Recently, more and more often, the preliminary and final part of bath procedures begins in the shower. For these purposes, a hydrobox is installed in the washing room, which is much more convenient than traditional basins and buckets and is more familiar to modern people.
Dimensions of individual rooms
The plan of the bathhouse can be drawn up by the performer either manually on paper or using special graphic programs on a computer. Professional architects use AutoCAD or similar editors, which are quite complex and require special knowledge and skills. For independent use, simple software products such as “Sudarushka” or similar are recommended.
The internal layout of the premises is usually as follows:
A bathhouse with a toilet allows you not to go outside if necessary, which allows you to avoid many adverse consequences. The bathroom should be located as far as possible from the stove and have ventilation, which will prevent odors from penetrating into other rooms.
Helpful advice: it is recommended to install doors in the toilet made of metal-plastic or aluminum profiles with vents in the lower part. An exhaust fan is installed in the bathroom to exhaust air outside of it. Reduced pressure will prevent the spread of unpleasant odors.
Arrangement and equipment of rooms in the bathhouse
A health complex with a water supply system and a bathroom needs a full heating system for year-round use. The current instructions of the state sanitary supervision prescribe a minimum temperature value of at least 18°C. At lower values, especially close to zero, the formation of colonies of pathogenic microorganisms or fungi is possible.
When considering designs for bathhouses with a bathroom, it should be borne in mind that the room allocated for these purposes usually does not have windows and must have artificial lighting. Connecting an electric exhaust fan in parallel with the lamp, which will turn on simultaneously with it. The use of such a simple design scheme will allow us to solve the problem of process automation in the simplest way.
The minimum price for the work will be guaranteed if the main building material is one with which the contractor has the skill to work. Brickwork without experience will require a lot of time and labor, which will significantly delay construction. Simpler options are frame structures or profiled timber.
Log sauna
A log sauna is a classic. And the most popular are rounded logs. Village steam rooms were built from logs.
The beauty of such complexes is that wood is a healthy, environmentally friendly material. Such a bathhouse is being built in record time. If the logs are processed mechanically rather than manually, their cost is low. You can also save on interior decoration - wood itself is beautiful. And for fire safety and resistance to fungi, logs are treated with special solutions.
Disadvantages will appear if the company that volunteered to install the bathhouse did not dry the logs, so after a while the building will “lead”, or if the tree was chosen incorrectly: conifers “cry”, oak can crack from the heat.
Advice: aspen baths have proven themselves well. This is a durable, beautiful tree, which also has aromatherapy qualities.
Finishing work
In most cases, for the construction of bathhouses in summer cottages or local suburban areas, users prefer to use a log house - a ready-made form that will serve as the basis for a future structure. Of course, the log house will not yet have a sink and a steam room. They can always be allocated in a common space according to the intended project.
The method of finishing a bathhouse with wood from the inside has proven itself in practice. The natural material is environmentally friendly, retains precious heat well and creates an extraordinary aroma in the room. Linden, pine, oak, aspen, ash and larch are good materials for interior decoration.
Those who like to relax in an atmosphere of tart woody smell are recommended to select coniferous wood.
Choosing a sauna stove with a separate sink and steam room
Any bathhouse should be equipped with a sink and a steam room. To effectively use space, many owners install a special stove. It divides the bathhouse into two rooms.
How to choose?
To know how to choose a stove for a sauna with a separate steam room and sink, you should use the following tips:
- The fryer must have high thermal power, sufficient to heat the steam room and water in the washing room, as well as provide steam. For each room, this indicator is individual and depends on the size of the heated area and the material from which the bathhouse is made.
- A properly selected design is compact in size, easy to use and eliminates the possibility of fire.
- The stove must be equipped with a high-quality steam generator and heat accumulator. This is necessary in order to easily set the desired mode that determines the type of bath: from real Russian to dry Finnish.
- It is necessary that the roaster be equipped with tools to adjust the convection.
- There should be no significant areas on the furnace structure whose temperature may exceed 150 degrees.
- If you are offered a brick or metal Dutch oven, opt for the latter option. Metal stoves are capable of heating a steam room with high speed and efficiency, take up less space, do not require a foundation, and are easy to use and maintain.
This is what a sauna stove with a separate sink and steam room looks like:
Popular models
Let's look at sauna stoves with a separate sink and steam room from several manufacturers, and compare their prices and characteristics.
Mounting and installation
Sauna stoves with a separate sink and steam room from well-known brands are usually installed by employees of the manufacturer or according to the individual instructions supplied.
But you can also install it yourself using the following approximate algorithm and diagram:
Layout of the furnace and remote tank:
3 different connection diagrams for elements:
Installation tips:
- The design of the furnace does not require a special foundation, but the foundation for it must be prepared. It is performed using brickwork. The base area is 70x70 cm, the height should be more than 10 cm.
- Cover the walls adjacent to the stove using bricks and insulate them with heat-insulating materials.
- If you plan to heat the stove from the waiting room, make a hole “with a reserve” in the partition between it and the steam room.
- On the prepared base, lay a layer of heat insulation material and an iron sheet on which the furnace structure is installed. The firebox is inserted into the partition.
- Fill the stove with stones.
- Cover the floor boards with a metal apron, which is secured over a sheet of thermal insulation.
- Mount the decorative trim on the front section of the firebox, install the ash pan and the door.
- Install the pipe. If the roof is flat, the height of the pipe should be more than half a meter, if it is gable - more than one and a half meters.
- Weld a metal screen to the predetermined contact point between the ceiling and the pipe. This part reliably connects the two halves of the pipe and protects the ceiling from elevated temperatures.
- The water tank, as well as the heat exchanger, should be installed simultaneously with the main pipe.
A stove in a bathhouse with a washing room and steam room is a reasonable solution for a small area. The modern market offers a large number of stove options. The choice should be made based on the size of the room, the desired heat capacity, the dimensions of the structure, and your personal preferences. Our recommendations will help with this.
Choosing a sauna stove with a separate sink and steam room
Features of choosing and installing a stove for a bath with a separate sink and steam room. Examples of optimal furnace models from different manufacturers are given.
Beautiful examples
The plan for a future building may also include an attic floor.
Thus, there is additional space for relaxation or a guest bedroom. It is best to choose projects with a sloping gable roof, then it is possible to make maximum use of the space of the upper tier. A chopped bathhouse made of rounded logs with a spacious outdoor terrace is the best option for spending time with family or for a noisy group of friends.
Brick baths look solid and attractive. Such structures will look natural next to large brick-lined residential buildings. A single architectural ensemble will emphasize the style of the entire site and give it a finished, well-groomed look.
For an overview of the steam room and washing in the bathhouse, see the following video.
Projects
Before drawing up a plan, you need to choose the right site and soil for construction. For fire safety reasons, it is not advisable to attach a bathhouse directly to the house. For construction and finishing work, you should choose materials that are resistant to high temperatures. Construction of a separate bathhouse is quite expensive, but comfortable and safe.
Let us note the main nuances when choosing a location:
- The most convenient place is on a hill: this way the dirty water will leave the bathhouse by gravity.
- It is better to exclude wet areas with possible groundwater immediately.
- The distance to the well or the nearest body of water must be at least 5 m.
- The nearest residential building should not be closer than 8 m.
- The bathhouse should be located as far as possible from the toilet (if it is outdoors) and the compost.
The type of soil determines the design of the bathhouse foundation. Most often, foundations with a slight depth are used: strip (in areas with sandy soil) and columnar types. Before construction, you need to clear the area by digging it up to remove bushes, roots, and small stones.
Construction of a bathhouse at the dacha: photos and explanations
The construction of a bathhouse in a country house can be easily done on your own. Once the dimensions, structure and design of the bathhouse have been determined, based on the needs and number of visitors, we begin to allocate the required area. On spacious summer cottages, this is not difficult to do - just follow the recommendations, adhere to fire safety standards, sanitation requirements and regulations on land management in the given region. First, determine the type of foundation based on the characteristics of the soil, and take care of the introduction of water supply, sewerage and electricity systems.
It is better to build a bathhouse in the depths of a summer cottage, away from the road and in a place closed from strangers, including neighbors. The exception is the situation when the bathhouse is an addition to existing buildings. However, here too it is advisable to make maximum use of planting green spaces and the height of fences.
Try to take into account the landscape features of your summer cottage, and in difficult cases do not neglect the help of a professional architect. If the terrain is relatively smooth and flat, the bathhouse is placed in a place that is not suitable for planting plants, keeping pets and placing other outbuildings and household buildings
In areas with elevation changes, choose the highest place, taking into account the location of slopes, ravines, rock formations, etc.
If desired, you can use the relief to your advantage and, for example, stack firewood directly under the entrance to the bathhouse.
If your summer cottage area borders on natural bodies of water, build a bathhouse as close to them as possible. Choose a dry, non-flooded place. You can dig a pool or an artificial pond in front of the bathhouse.
Of course, in small summer cottages it is quite difficult to follow all the recommendations. You may have to sacrifice the convenient location of the bathhouse, the desired dimensions of the building, or the intended design. First of all, you need to take into account the compactness of the bathhouse and the premises in it, and also consider in detail the possibility of an extension to other buildings. This will not only make it possible to rationally and efficiently use the land area, but also save on building materials, as well as simplify the input of electricity, water supply and sewerage.
Look at the photo of the construction of a bathhouse in the country:
Sequence of premises
Proper layout of the premises plays an important role. The first room you enter is the vestibule. It protects the rest of the rooms from the entry of cold air; outerwear is also left here and shoes are taken off. This room should not be large: 2-2.5 square meters. m. will be enough.
From the vestibule, most often the door leads to a rest room, which is equipped with a table, chairs or benches. Often this room is not heated, but remains warm thanks to the heat from the steam room.
There are projects in which it is possible to get directly from the relaxation room to the steam room, while a separate door leads to the washroom. But only in a purely Russian traditional bathhouse is the steam room the heart of the entire structure, and you can only enter it from the sink.
Steam room
The paired room must be moved as far as possible in the project from the front door. The steam room is located as far as possible from the entrance doors. There are no windows in the steam room, there is only one door. The main dimensions (length, width, ceiling height) can be any, but the internal dimensions are calculated according to existing standards, which include the following standards:
- Construction and finishing materials;
- Ventilation system parameters;
- Number of visitors to the steam room;
- Power and heat transfer of a heater or other stove model;
- Fire safety;
- Ergonomic and design parameters of the steam room.
The standards for the height of the steam room are quite strict - 210-240 cm, while both the width and length of the steam room can vary between 84 -115 cm -190-235 cm for the smallest projects for one person. It is clear that larger bathhouse sizes will entail an increase in the size of the steam room. In addition, if planning features are aimed at minimizing the area of all premises, then the places in the steam room can be provided with seating.
Steam room size calculations
From the above steam room design it is clear that the shelves can be both seated and for a lying position. With a cascade arrangement of shelves, the free space in the steam room can be significantly expanded.
What kind of layout can there be in a bathhouse?
A 3 by 4 space does not have good capacity, so the plan usually includes a steam room with a sink and a dressing room
When constructing drawings, you should pay attention to:
- the plan is built based on the existing parameters of the empty plot;
- to maximize the capacity of the required rooms with the required space, take into account the measurements of the wall decoration;
- recalculate building materials, purchase additional spare parts;
- most of the time is spent on planning, because with the correct designation of rooms a person achieves the highest pleasure in a balanced room;
- little things deserve attention; the safety of family members depends on such an issue;
- I design the interior wall decoration simultaneously with the drawing for the bathhouse.
In modern variations, due to the preferences of the owner, an unusual combination of rooms is made: a steam room is connected to a washroom, or a swimming pool is combined with a relaxation room next to the steam room. Photo for the layout of a 3x4 bath, where the sink and steam room are separately provided in a variety of variations.
Steam room
An important room, which is allocated a third of the space from the entire plan. It is believed that small dimensions warm up quickly and better, so the room is equipped only with a canopy, a broom and an open fireplace with heated stones
When planning a steam room, one wall is left for a shelf on which a person can fit in a lying position. The absence of a canopy is replaced with a bench. The steam room is connected to a wash room, a swimming pool or a relaxation room.
Rest room or dressing room
This is not quite a dressing room, in which a sofa or armchairs are installed for comfort. With parameters of 3 by 4, the rest room and the dressing room are no different. The combined rooms may border on a washroom or steam room. In the drawings, the dressing room is the largest room. A spacious layout option would be to divide the bath into 2 rooms - a relaxation room, a steam room or a wash room.
Pool
Not a necessary room for a classic bath, but lovers of comfort will like the idea of placing a pond in the relaxation room. This saves space, although the pool can be replaced with a shower, which is installed in the washroom or steam room.
Material
When choosing consumables, it is important to pay attention to different types of wood. Advantages of Canadian cedar:
- attractive appearance;
- releases a pleasant odor when heated;
- high strength, durability.
Flaws:
- release of resin drops onto the surface;
- high price.
Linden is considered an environmentally friendly material that does not emit harmful substances and resins during active use. The wood has no knots. This is a soft material that leaves dents when hit. With active use, the wood darkens.
Benefits of alder:
- low thermal conductivity;
- high strength;
- durability.
Flaws:
- darkening during active use
- high price;
- softness.
Positive aspects of aspen:
- low price;
- releases a pleasant aroma when heated;
- no resin.
Disadvantages include susceptibility to moisture.
Advantages of oak:
- high strength, density;
- durability, wear resistance;
- attractive look.
Flaws:
- high price;
- heavy weight;
Processing requires tools with high hardness working parts.
Positive aspects of larch:
- strength, durability;
- resistance to temperature changes and moisture;
- release of useful substances when heated.
Flaws:
- high price;
- processing complexity.
The choice of material depends on the required performance characteristics and financial capabilities.
A wall in a wooden bath can be built not only from logs, but also from other materials:
- Drywall. Regular sheets are not suitable for use in a steam room. You need to choose moisture-resistant drywall. The sheets are fixed to a metal frame.
- Brick. Durable, durable material. Disadvantages include high cost and increased weight.
- Foam and gas blocks. Retains heat well. Due to the large size of the consumables, a wall made of blocks can be erected faster than a brick one. To avoid destruction of the material, it is necessary to protect it from moisture.
Recently, glass panels have been used to make partitions.
Is it worth combining a sink with a steam room?
At the design stage of the entire structure of the bathhouse, you need to decide whether you want to equip a steam room combined with a sink, or a separate one. Although, in fairness, we note that such a decision may be dictated not so much by wishes as by objective necessity.
The following factors are important in this matter:
- material capabilities of the developer;
- availability of building materials and other components;
- area of the building plot.
Often, a steam room combined with a sink is equipped when there is a lack of free space and funds.
In any case, even with a small building area, there will be at least two rooms in it. In the first - the dressing room - there will be a locker room, a rest room with the necessary furniture, as well as part of the stove, which will be heated from here. You can choose the design of the relaxation room in the bathhouse in advance. The second room is the washing-steam room itself. A heater is laid out in it, which provides heat, beds are installed, as well as a place for bath accessories - brooms, basins with cold water. Hot water is heated on a stove in a large container.
Despite the apparent inconvenience, a number of positive aspects can be found in this design:
- from an economic point of view, it is cheaper and also requires less fuel for heating;
- The layout of such a steam room is simple and laconic - the stove goes into the steam room with a heating part with a heater, so you can heat water directly on it.
At the same time, one cannot ignore the negative aspects:
- the small dimensions of the room do not allow several people to wash at the same time;
- after each visit to the steam room by a separate group of people, the steam room needs to be ventilated and the stove heated;
- This type of washing is not suitable for people with poor health.
In order to somehow compensate for these shortcomings, you can think of a competent layout, that is, place the washing area slightly lower than the steam room area, so that washing is not so hot.
Expectations associated with the bath
When you are invited to the bathhouse, you are set up for a pleasant pastime with conversations, a relaxed rush of mutual frankness, aromatic homemade herbal tea, with the smell of birch or oak bark. You remember the state of your body in order to record the healing effects of steam and brooms on your health after the bath. In the minds of a modern city dweller, a bathing procedure is associated with a festive event.
For a villager, this may be an ordinary process of washing and healing a body exhausted in the field, garden and vegetable garden.
Finishing and arrangement
The most traditional finishing material for a steam room is wood. It does not heat up very much, and thanks to its qualities it makes visiting the bathhouse pleasant and comfortable. The lining inside the steam room is made of clapboard. The materials used are durable wood species that do not emit resins. Before starting work, the wood must be treated with a special oil impregnation to reduce its hygroscopicity.
The finishing of the steam room is directly related to a high-quality ventilation system, and also provides for the presence of a drain for water. This prevents excess moisture from accumulating in the steam room.
You should also insulate the ceiling, walls and floor in the steam room. And only after that you can start covering them. The walls can be finished with wall tiles imitating stone or brick. For the floor, a high-quality board will be suitable, the material for which will be larch, which is considered very beneficial for human health.
However, many people make it from ceramic tiles. It is chosen because it washes well and is not susceptible to mold.
Setting up a steam room should be as simple as possible. At the heart of this small room should be a stove. One of the best materials for its construction is stone or brick, which can be used at the same time. After all, brick accumulates heat well, and stone makes it possible to create the necessary steam.
Also in the steam room there are shelves in two or three tiers, located opposite the stove. Their installation occurs simultaneously with the installation of walls.
The design of the furniture in the steam room is very simple and beautiful. It consists only of sun loungers, sometimes made in the form of wooden sofas and having comfortable backrests. A pair of stools and accessories can also complete the room. All furniture should be round in shape to avoid sharp corners. After all, the steam room is very slippery, and if you hit such a corner, you can injure yourself.
Since the windows in the steam room are small or there are none at all, it is necessary to provide good artificial lighting. If it is installed correctly, you can create an atmosphere in the steam room that will encourage your interlocutor to have intimate conversations. Lighting should not be very bright, twilight is preferable. Warm muted shades are suitable, which will only emphasize the calm atmosphere.
One lamp will be enough for this. However, it must be positioned so that it does not interfere with steaming, for example, above the door. Today, lamps can be installed so as not to disturb the ambiance of the steam room. These can be lamps made of wooden lampshades, structures built into the wall, or specially insulated strips. Also, lamps are often placed under the sun loungers, which creates a cozy atmosphere without interfering with the enjoyment of the procedure.
The main thing is that the wiring and the light bulb itself are insulated from water and steam. To do this, you need to place the lamp in a housing made of stainless steel.
Features of a 3 by 3 bath
Building such a small bathhouse is not too difficult. If you have gravel and sand, you don’t even need to dig a hole for the foundation. The lightweight structure does not require additional support if the soil is stable. However, you need to think about draining excess liquid. Although the building itself will be small, it cannot be placed close to the living space. According to the standards, the distance between the walls of such buildings should be at least 15 meters; the size of the steam room in this case does not matter.
A small building has many advantages, so bathhouses with a large area on standard house or summer cottage plots are rare. Among the advantages are noted:
- minimal material consumption;
- small estimate;
- short construction period;
- large selection of heating systems;
- low consumption of resources for heating.
In the future, the area can be expanded by making a small open extension similar to a standard terrace. A relaxation area is placed on it, increasing the space in the steam room and wash room. But nine square meters is enough for 4 people to relax.
In a small area, you need to correctly distribute meters between several zones. The size of the waiting room should be larger. Here you can undress, hang towels, place a table and benches for relaxation. Storage of bath accessories is organized in the same area. If in other rooms a person practically does not move, then comfort is needed in the dressing room. The steam room should be slightly larger in size than the wash room
This is important because the whole group usually steams together, and then enters the next room one at a time, focusing on their well-being. The washroom can be the smallest
In this case, it is worth dividing the wet zone and the dry one. This is necessary for comfort and safety.
You can make the building more comfortable and functional by eliminating the roof slope or increasing the overall height. This way you can “increase” the usable area, and widening the doorways will lead to greater comfort. It will be possible to allocate a smaller space for the steam room by building several tiers with your own hands. In the dressing room you can install taller cabinets or install vertical storage systems.
What types of baths are there?
The construction of modern bathhouses has become a real culture. Today there are several types of baths, among which it should be noted:
- Dry. In the steam room of this bath, the air humidity does not exceed 25%, and the temperature should be kept at exactly 120 degrees Celsius. It is very difficult to be in such conditions, so she is not in particular demand among her compatriots.
- Wet. This is a classic version of the Russian steam room, where the steam humidity reaches 100% and the air temperature ranges from 50 to 90 degrees Celsius.
- Water. This is an analogue of a Turkish sauna, where the important key points are a large amount of water vapor.
How to choose and where to place the stove?
The answer to this question is very complex. After all, in order to decide which stove to choose, you need to consider all its types, which have their pros and cons.
Metal furnace
It has small dimensions, a high degree of power, and the ability to heat the entire room. This oven heats up very quickly and cools down just as quickly. Touching it can cause burns. Therefore, when choosing such a stove, you must build a fence to avoid accidents.
Brick oven
Having chosen such a heating device, you need to know that a foundation is required for its installation. The dimensions of the oven can be selected based on the characteristics of the steam room and its dimensions. The good thing about installing a brick stove is that, unlike metal stoves, brick products heat up slowly and do not cool down very quickly. After installing such a stove, the air in the steam room will be light and dry, and besides, touching it is practically impossible to get burned. Therefore, it can be installed closer to the shelves so that it is warm for a long time.
Electric ovens
For lovers of modern technology, electric ovens are suitable. They do not need to be heated with wood. However, they also have many disadvantages. Electric stoves can heat only a small room, cool quickly, and are also expensive. In addition, the slightest fault in the insulation can lead to a short circuit. Therefore, when installing such stoves, you need to carefully check all wiring.
From soapstone
Soapstone has become popular in the modern world and is actively used to build stoves, as it is highly durable. It also has the ability to warm up the room gradually and evenly. The stone itself is expensive, but it is very economical in fuel consumption. By heating the stove for just one hour, you can enjoy the warmth all day long. Plus, such material has healing properties; steaming in such a bathhouse can not only give you pleasure, but also improve your health.
After familiarizing yourself with the types of stoves and making a choice, you can begin installing them. The base for this must be level. If it is an electric furnace or a metal furnace, you need to make a concrete base for it.
You can place the product either near the door or in the corner of the steam room, saving space. In addition, this space will be the safest place.
Next, a large sheet of metal is fixed in the opening on the ceiling. This is necessary to make an exit for one of the most important elements - the chimney. You need to make a hole in the metal in advance for the pipe. A water tank is installed on the stove. And through a specially made opening, a pipe is brought up, insulated with any non-combustible materials.
After installing the stove, it is necessary to conduct a test fire to see if everything is done correctly. And only then can you invite your household or friends to the steam room.
Choosing the location of the bath
We understand that the relatively small size of suburban areas significantly limits the possibilities of choosing a construction site, but under any conditions the main criteria must be observed.
- Firstly, the bathhouse cannot be located in lowlands. If this is not possible, then you will have to make artificial backfill; you will have to take a one-year pause to allow the brought soil to shrink.
- Secondly, water supply issues should be resolved in the optimal way. One option is to install a storage tank on the roof. This option has a significant drawback - the tank must be reliably insulated, but even such insulation does not provide a complete guarantee against freezing.
- Thirdly, each site has its own layout; the bathhouse should not destroy the existing design, but complement it.
- And, fourthly, it is necessary to resolve issues with the supply and storage of building materials. If you have everything ready, call your helpers and start construction.
Russian bathhouse in a suburban area
Advantages of the washing compartment
In the spacious baths there is a separate room for washing. If the building is small and does not have central heating, then this functional area is combined with a steam room, and separation from it is carried out using a partition. Both location options have their pros and cons. A separate washing room allows you to:
- Create a unique interior room.
- Use strong and durable finishing materials (tiles).
- Provide simultaneous washing for several people at once if it is equipped with a pair of shower stalls.
- Simplify shower maintenance.
Among the disadvantages of this option, only the need to connect central heating to heat a separate room and water is noted. Washing rooms combined with a steam room are also not without advantages:
- Space saving.
- A practical interior if the stove with an elongated firebox is located in the middle.
- Fuel savings, since technically only one room will have to be heated.
Unfortunately, the combined option has one significant drawback - the room becomes less convenient to use if a whole group of people are steaming at the same time.
