Instructions for making a sauna on a balcony or loggia with your own hands

How to build?

Please note that when constructing a mini-sauna, brick and concrete coverings should be completely excluded.
Below we will describe how to properly construct a sauna. The first step is to assemble the frame. The section of the board is 60x60 cm, the distance between the beams is about 45 cm. A vapor barrier is installed between them. Next, install the insulation

Please note that in this case you cannot use polystyrene foam and polyethylene, since under the influence of high temperatures they will begin to release harmful substances that can be poisoned later. The best solution would be mineral wool. After this, the aluminum foil is mounted using a stapler

The shiny side should be on the inside. The denser the insulation, the faster the steam room will heat up. The ceiling should be thermally insulated in 2 layers, since hot air flows will be directed upward. The bayonets are closed with adhesive aluminum tape. At the very end, the structure is covered with a cladding board. You can’t rush here so as not to accidentally tear the foil.

In almost every house, the balcony walls are very crooked; to level them, the frame should be sheathed with 4 mm plywood. When installing the door, try to ensure that it does not open inward, otherwise it will be much more difficult to leave the room.

Please note that metal transfers heat well, so all metal products, including bolts and screws, can be hidden with decorative plugs

Let's look at the stages of laying floors.

First of all, you need to lay down a moisture-proof covering. Next, 25- or 40-centimeter beams are installed with a distance of 45 cm. The height from the concrete is 7 cm. Insulation is installed between the boards, which must be covered with another protective layer. The last step is installing the floorboards

Please note that a metal mount will heat up, so it is installed at the edges of the room.

After the above points have been completed, you can start constructing the shelf. Separate fasteners should be made for it so that the structure is reliable and can withstand several people.

1. Boards with a cross section of 80 mm are attached to the floor.
2. On top of them are fixed bars with rounded corners, about 50 cm thick and 1 cm in increments, so that air can circulate freely.
3. At the end, the structure is treated with special oil.

Construction of a shelf for a sauna

The structure must be firmly attached so that two people can sit on it comfortably. There is no need to glue seats to the walls. The best solution is to use special racks. To save space, you can install special pull-out shelves.

Step-by-step equipment process:

1. Beams 8 centimeters thick are attached to the floor.
2. Boards with rounded edges are installed on them using galvanized fasteners. The layer of wood must be at least 5 centimeters. Boards should be installed of high quality and well polished.
3. It is important to maintain a distance of 1.5 centimeters between the boards so as not to impede air circulation.
4. The shelves are coated with a special oil coating.
5. High-quality tree species, such as linden and poplar, are suitable for the structure.

Choosing a stove for a Finnish sauna

• The stove must be electric. It is preferable to choose a ready-made sauna stove, as they are designed taking into account safety and power requirements. • The electric heater is selected taking into account the volume of the room. For 1 cubic meter, 1 kW of furnace power is required. • The design can be anything, there are floor and wall options. It is advisable to have a thermostat and remote control.

Advantages of a ready-made electric sauna stove: • can be installed anywhere, easy to assemble; • the room heats up in 1 hour; • no chimney required;

• ease of maintenance (sometimes you need to change stones); • no garbage in the sauna; • electrical safety; • fire resistance; • the case is safe in case of accidental touches; • it is impossible to get poisoned by carbon monoxide; it does not burn oxygen; • reliability; • lasts a long time; • small sizes; • Beautiful design.

Important! A DIY Finnish sauna requires preparation for use. It is heated to 60 degrees with the door open

Allow to cool and leave open until the next day. Then heat to 90 degrees and leave for a couple of hours. On the third day, heat up to 100 degrees, also leaving for two hours. You can use it on the fourth day. Those who made an infrared sauna on a loggia themselves say that it is not difficult, as long as the construction procedure is followed.

Compact sauna on the balcony: main advantages

You can build a sauna on the balcony in your apartment with your own hands - it’s not difficult if you put in a little effort. The dry steam room is heated by an electric fireplace. To heat it, you do not need to use firewood or other types of fuel. After relaxing in the sauna, no ash will form on the floor or in the stove. Additional advantages:

• inexpensive arrangement in a short period of time;
• the effect of a real steam room;
• small dimensions;
• the room heats up in a matter of minutes;
• the ability to warm up at home, rather than in public saunas;
• the steam room does not disturb the neighbors at all;
• You can steam at different times of the day.

Decorating ideas

Depending on how you want to decorate the balcony yourself, step-by-step instructions may differ. Before you start carrying out any work, you need to decide on the following things:

• Purpose of the premises.
• Willingness to spend a certain amount on purchasing materials.
• Room style.
• Functionality.

The following materials are most often used for interior decoration of balconies:

1. MDF is a relatively inexpensive panel that is easy to install. They will help to quickly close the walls and make them visually smooth, even if the balcony structure is curvature. The material is environmentally friendly and durable. Technical indicators are similar to solid wood, but MDF is much cheaper than the latter. The panels are made from pressed wood shavings. Carbide resins are used to firmly connect the chips; they do not emit formaldehyde, which is harmful to humans and can be found in chipboards.
2. Siding. The use of this material is permissible for both indoor and outdoor use. Installing it is quite simple, since the siding sheets are the same and have special fastenings. The material is not afraid of low and high temperatures, does not burn, does not crack, does not become moldy, does not rust or rot. Any inexperienced craftsman can install siding, that is, you can do it yourself. The service life of the material exceeds 25 years, no weather conditions can harm it.
3. Plastic panels are a cheaper option than siding. They are light in weight, easy to install, and protect the structure well from drafts and moisture. If you require good sound insulation, plastic panels are a fairly good option as they can contain sound well. Plastic panels can be of any color, and a pattern can be applied to them. They well imitate wood, stone, marble, and other materials that are expensive and do not have the required qualities, while still meeting the aesthetic needs of the owner of the premises. Caring for plastic is quite simple: when it gets dirty, wash it with any detergent or just use a damp cloth. The material is not afraid of water and repels dirt.
4. Plaster is an old and traditional option, but working with it is not very convenient for a beginner. You will need to create a sheathing from a special mesh; the walls must be smooth. Plaster cannot be applied to soft insulation. It is worth considering that it is applied in layers, and each layer takes about a day to dry: this is the longest option. Plaster is afraid of moisture; a positive quality is low cost. The plaster mixture can be painted after hardening; it is well suited for classic interiors. Another positive quality is the ability to retain heat well indoors.

Interior arrangement

After insulating the balcony itself, we begin finishing the inside with flooring. We do it around the perimeter of the balcony. In the steam room itself, it should be made 10-20 centimeters higher so that the cabin is always dry.

The arrangement of the sauna must occur in the correct sequence:

• The first thing to do is lay the waterproofing material. Next, logs from beams are installed. About 5-8 centimeters in height in increments of 40-50 centimeters.
• Then insulation is laid between them and another waterproofing layer is laid.

• After this, the floorboards are nailed to the walls so as not to get burned while visiting the sauna. The ideal wood that will be suitable for a sauna is deciduous wood with a shrinkage of approximately 10%.
• We nail beams with a cross section of 5 cm2 onto the wall. The walls inside the cabin must be lined with plywood so that the insulation is completely adjacent to the inner surface and does not allow heat to pass through.
• A foil vapor barrier is carefully inserted into the openings between the beams. It must be laid with the reflective side facing out.

• The mineral wool should be cut so that it is 4-5 centimeters wider. This will ensure a more secure fit to the walls of the sauna.
• Next, we lay out the insulation in the space between the beams.
• Finally, aluminum foil is nailed onto the heat shield so that the reflective surface is on the inside. The joints are connected with specialized tape using metal. And lining is used as cladding.

How to make a sauna on the balcony with your own hands

The main thing in this matter is not to separate the sauna and the balcony, the expert notes.

– After all, they work together, so they both will have to pay equal attention

We start making a sauna... by insulating the balcony with mineral wool

Let's start with insulating the balcony. The best material for this is mineral wool. It does not burn or melt like polystyrene foam with penoplex. After all, the sauna runs on electricity, one spark and you can’t put it out. In addition, insulation, for example penofol, is laid on both sides of the insulation. Moreover, on the inside it should lie with foil in the room, with the outside - with foil on the street.

Insulation serves several functions. Firstly, it protects the insulation from moisture. Secondly, it prevents steam from wetting the ceiling of neighbors below, and the floor of neighbors above. Thirdly, it makes it so that your neighbors can hear you less.

It is better to lay double insulation on the ceiling. After all, where does the steam rise? Of course, to the ceiling. The neighbors will start to get damp, and they will complain.

The sheathing for the steam room is sheathed with plywood

After insulation, build a frame for the cabin from 50x50 mm timber. Then line the sides and ceiling of the box with plywood. And don't forget about the hole for the door!

The sauna must be at least 80 cm long and wide, and 2.1 meters high. Moreover, these norms were invented for a reason, but for human convenience and safety. If you make the sauna narrow, a person will not be able to turn around; if it is low, it will be too hot.

The sauna cabin, like the balcony, is insulated with mineral wool

The sauna cabin is also insulated with mineral wool. Foil or other thermal insulation is laid on top of it to retain heat. After this, the walls and ceiling are covered with clapboard.

Next, you can make a shelf on which you will relax. You need boards with rounded edges; when laying, leave a gap of 0.5-1 cm between them for free air circulation. The backrest on the top shelf will make your stay in the sauna more enjoyable.

Afterwards the heater is installed. A ventilation grille is made on the ceiling or wall above the heater, and a ventilation valve is installed opposite. If you open the valve, the air flow will increase, and when it gets cool, you will close it.

The final part is wiring for lighting; a thermometer and a clock are hung in the corner. Welcome to the sauna!

If you are planning a sauna, it is also practical to cover the balcony with PVC panels. On the website we have provided detailed instructions with a list of tools and prices for materials. For other finishing options, see the article: Options for interior finishing and loggias.

If you don’t even have glazing on your balcony yet, where is the best place to order it in Moscow, read this material.

Steam room arrangement

Point 4. Frame and cladding of the structure

Next we come to the actual installation of the sauna. The instructions for its construction will look something like this:

Steam room frame

1. We insulate the walls and ceiling in the same way as the supporting structures of the balcony itself. But at the same time, we increase the thickness of the thermal insulation layer to at least 10 mm, and be sure to use a foil vapor barrier - otherwise the mineral wool under the cladding will get wet and lose its insulating properties.
2. For wall cladding we use high-quality lining only from hardwood. Pine, spruce, etc. You should not take it under any circumstances - when heated, the resin contained in abundance in the wood will flow and protrude outward.
3. We install a partition at a distance of approximately 1.5 - 2 m from the wall. First, we make a frame from vertical beams 50x50 mm, and then we strengthen it with horizontal crossbars, forming a doorway.
4. We cover the outside of the partition with plywood with a thickness of 12 mm. We cover the plywood sheet with foil thermal insulation.

Cladding with clapboard over insulation and vapor barrier

1. From the inside, we put insulation into the cells of the frame, which we also cover with foil waterproofing material. We seal all joints with metallized tape.
2. We make the lining from clapboard, which we fasten on the outer and inner sides of the partition.
3. We hang a solid wood door. For safety reasons, the door to the sauna can only be opened from the outside (this is also more convenient). In addition, for the same purpose, we install the latch that fixes the door in the closed position only from the outside.

General view of the room after finishing is completed

There should be a gap between the bottom edge of the door and the threshold to allow fresh air to enter.

Point 5. Sauna stove

Actually, this is how you make a sauna on a loggia with your own hands . But in addition to the structure itself, we need to think about the equipment:

Mini sauna heater

1. The “heart” of any sauna is the heater, and we will not make an exception for the version on the loggia. We purchase a compact model with a power of 3 - 4.5 kW - this will be quite enough to warm up a small nook allocated for a steam room.
2. We put the stones themselves into the oven grate, which will accumulate and release heat. The optimal weight of stones for a sauna on a balcony is 12 – 15 kg.
3. We install the heater at the entrance close to the partition. We take the connection cord outside the steam room and plug it into a specially equipped socket for this purpose.
4. To minimize the risk of fire, it is worth protecting the walls and floor near the heater with fire-resistant materials. Experts advise using asbestos cardboard, but if you have doubts about the safety of its use (after all, asbestos is a carcinogen), then the wall can be finished with metal, and the floor can be tiled with fire-resistant ceramic tiles.

Photo of a mini-heater behind a fence

1. The installed heater must be protected with wooden railings. Their strength must be sufficient to support a person’s weight in the event of a fall and protect him from burns.

Item 6. Shelves and other equipment

All we have to do is arrange our sauna for the most comfortable procedures:

1. From timber with a cross section of 40x40 mm we make a frame for a shelf for sitting. We fix the frame elements on the floor and on the walls, strengthening them from the inside with struts.

Shelf frame

1. We cover the frame with boards, fixing them from the inside out so that the nail heads are not on the surface.
2. We carefully sand the shelf boards and then treat them with impregnation for baths and saunas.
3. After installing the shelf, we attach a heat-resistant sealed lamp to the wall or under the ceiling.
4. We install a thermometer next to the lamp. It is advisable to choose a model with a clock - this way we can control the time spent in the steam room and not “overstay.”

Fully equipped sauna

Finishing sequence

Repair work on the balcony must be carried out in strict sequence, this is the only way the next step will not spoil the work already done. During the DIY repair process, you will have to go through the following steps:

1. Arrangement of the frame, which will become the basis of both the external and internal cladding, as well as the window system.
2. Glazing. It is preferable to use two-chamber aluminum or wooden systems: although plastic ones have a more affordable price, they will last less.
3. Exterior finishing with moisture-resistant material: clapboard, siding, etc.
4. Installation of galvanized metal sheets or plywood on the frame for protection from weather conditions.
5. Attaching the waterproofing film, installing insulation, blowing the gap with special foam.
6. Installation of additional sheathing from slats.
7. Finishing of surfaces: ceiling, floor, walls.

Work related to the balcony should be carried out in the warm season - this will significantly facilitate and speed up the process

When taking on this process yourself, it is especially important to pay attention to choosing a period when cold or excessive dampness will not interfere with finishing

Preparation stage

In order for a sauna to last long enough, its arrangement must be carefully planned. First of all, the balcony is cleared of all things and the previous finishing is removed. At the same time, choose a place to install the steam room. During the work process, several subtleties should be observed.

To reduce heat transfer, a location adjacent to the main wall of the house is chosen for the steam room. It is better to carry out the construction of the balcony at the same time when general repairs of the balcony are being carried out. The optimal dimensions of the steam room are:

• width – 0.8 m;
• height – 2.1 m.

Such indicators can ensure maximum comfort of sauna operation. Also, these dimensions make it possible to increase the safety of using the steam room.

How to prepare a balcony?

Before starting construction work, owners must make considerable calculations; this process should be taken seriously. The balcony must be carefully prepared before facing. Take care of its glazing, waterproofing and insulation in advance. Thanks to these actions, your neighbors won't have to worry about you flooding them.

However, it is important that the sauna rests on a load-bearing wall; such a technique significantly reduces heat transfer

For fire safety purposes, you will have to comply with some standards: the dimensions of the room should not exceed 80 cm in width and 210 cm in height. This is another disadvantage, since it will be difficult to turn in such a narrow room.

If the owners decide to save on height in favor of width, then the sauna will be too hot. During finishing, wood is most often used. During construction work, you cannot use wet wood; it must be soaked with an antiseptic. If the humidity of the finishing surface is more than 10%, it will begin to crack and swell over time.

Wood is an environmentally friendly material that is not afraid of high temperatures. Experts say that linden, aspen and poplar are best suited for these purposes. It is better not to use conifers, since if they are heated to 110 degrees, the boards will begin to emit a rosin smell, which will not have the best effect on the human respiratory system.

Preparing the premises

Before you start building a sauna on the balcony with your own hands, plan all your work in order. The site for the future construction needs to be prepared. You should not separate the balcony and the steam room. These two objects should be given attention.

A balcony converted into a sauna must be glazed, insulated and waterproofed. These conditions will make it possible to achieve tightness in order to eliminate troubles with neighbors regarding leaks.

The steam room should fit snugly against the main wall of the building: this will help reduce heat transfer. For fire safety purposes and to create comfortable conditions, the sauna parameters must be at least 0.8 m wide and 2.1 m high. It’s impossible to turn around in a too narrow space, and with a low ceiling it will be very hot.

In the preparation process, we adhere to the following plan:

1. We clear the loggia of all objects and remove the finishing from the surfaces.
2. We combine the construction of a sauna with the renovation of a balcony.
3. We prepare the wood for future work: coat it with an antiseptic and dry it. Suitable varieties are poplar, aspen, linden or conifers - cedar, pine, spruce, which, when the temperature rises, release rosin, which has a beneficial effect on the respiratory tract and mucous membranes.

Installation of electrical equipment

A Finnish sauna in your own apartment must be equipped with an electric or infrared stove. An infrared oven directs heat rays directly to a person rather than to heat the air. Infrared heaters are installed according to the manufacturer's instructions for uniform heating of the entire body. Infrared waves do not create additional stress on the cardiovascular system. Sweating removes excess fluid, fats and toxic substances from the body. An ordinary electric stove with heating elements should be tightly surrounded with stones and fenced. All fastenings must be of high quality (supplied with the equipment).

The power supply to the mini sauna must be supplied by a power cable from the panel with a minimum cross-section of 4mm2. All electrical wiring must be under the casing (purchase a heat-resistant cable or place the cable in a thermostatic hose). A prerequisite is the grounding of electrical equipment and the use of an RCD. To install lighting, you should choose only waterproof lamps that are connected in parallel.

electrical equipment for sauna

To avoid getting burned on glass, it is better to cover it with protective wooden screens. All switches must be located on the outside of the sauna - the presence of plastic in the steam room is unacceptable.

Important: all heating elements must be located at a height of at least 20 cm from the floor.

You can complete your mini sauna by making a steam generator yourself using an old electric kettle, a bucket, metal corrugation and electrical tape.

Necessary preliminary work on the loggia before installing the sauna

In order for the bathhouse on the balcony to function reliably, it is necessary to carefully prepare for its installation. The selected location for installation should be adjacent to the load-bearing wall of the house as much as possible to maximize heat retention in the future bathhouse.

You should consider that the balcony should be securely glazed. Double-glazed windows are chosen of high quality; they should not let cold air into the room

At the preparatory stage, it is also important to decide where the ventilation hole will be located.

Next, purchase the necessary building materials:

• mineral wool;
• Styrofoam;
• membrane providing waterproofing;
• wooden beams 5 cm thick;
• flooring boards;
• wood paneling;
• foil vapor barrier;
• corrugated pipe;
• metal sleeve;
• asbestos cardboard.

Finishing work for the sauna on the balcony

After completing the insulation work, it is necessary to begin the interior arrangement of the sauna. The layout of the sauna depends on its location

A corner sauna will be smaller in area than its longitudinal location, but in any of the options it is important to rationally place shelves and a fireplace

Since a sauna in an apartment on the balcony can accommodate no more than two people, the construction of two shelves will be sufficient for the steam room. It is not advisable to attach shelves to the wall; it is better to construct them from the floor. To do this, you will need wooden beams that will be secured to the floor and to each other, creating a shelf for sitting or lying on. The distance between the first and second shelf should be at least 50 cm to make it comfortable to sit and place on the shelves.

It is not recommended to use resinous trees, because when exposed to high temperatures, resin is released. In addition to the rich smell in the steam room, the resin will heat up and affect the skin.

Once the shelves are secured, they need to be sanded well to achieve a smooth surface. And after the surfaces of the shelves are sanded, they are coated with a special solution that prevents the wood from drying out or swelling when exposed to moisture.

Doors from the sauna to the steam room can be either glass or wooden.

For safety reasons and to avoid burns, all screws holding the beams on walls and shelves are deepened into the beams, and their caps are closed with wooden plugs, which can be cut to the size of the hole or set with glue.

Finishing a balcony for a sauna

Next, you can begin preparing the balcony itself for equipping the sauna. First of all, you need to glaze the balcony (and only with high-quality double-glazed windows with a strong frame), or completely close the wall facing the street to reduce heat loss. Which option to choose depends only on the wishes of the apartment owner.

Tip: it is better to expand a narrow balcony for a sauna by additionally moving out the floor slab.

The list of necessary preparatory work includes waterproofing and insulation of the walls, ceiling and floor of the room. The finishing of the steam room and the rest of the area must be done separately. In this case, you must remember to leave a hole for ventilation.

Floor arrangement

The floor in the steam room should be made 10-20 cm higher than the floor of the rest of the balcony. This will allow you to properly arrange the drain.

Equipment

The walls or ceiling are ready. Now you need to additionally equip your bathhouse with everything you need. The first thing to do is install the shelves. It is made from wood. To ensure normal air circulation, make the shelves non-solid.

Photo 5. Do-it-yourself shelves in the bathhouse

You also need to build ventilation. To do this, place a ventilation hole with a valve next to the shelf so that it is convenient for you to adjust it. And build a hole near the place where the stove will be installed. As soon as you open the damper, fresh air will enter from below and exit through the hole near the shelf. This will make it easy to control the flow.

Photo 6. Ventilation hole in the bathhouse

Install the stove in the bathhouse. It is better to do the wiring for it with your own machine, from which an insulated wire will run all the way to the balcony. If you are not familiar with electricity and cannot do everything yourself, then it is better to turn to professionals. Electricity is no joke!

The walls near the stove must be equipped with sheets of non-combustible material. The same thing needs to be done with the floor. This way you will protect yourself from the possibility of a fire as a result of a short circuit or overheating of the stove. A lamp must also be installed inside the structure. It should be chosen carefully, since there will be high temperatures in the bathhouse, the lighting device must withstand all this. Don't forget about sealing.

Photo 7. Electric stove in the bathhouse

The door to the bathhouse should close tightly. You don't want heat to escape through the cracks, do you? But at the same time, it should not have latches, latch or other locking devices. You cannot close from the inside, and the door itself must open outward - these are safety requirements that are best observed, in case someone becomes ill in the steam room, but you cannot open the door.

Building a sauna on your balcony is not that difficult, you can easily do everything with your own hands, the main thing is to want to. Of course, it will only be a dry steam room, but still better than nothing

It is important to remember safety measures; you should only use a factory-made stove. If you handle everything, then you will have a place where you can relax after a hard day, and do it without leaving home

We arrange ventilation

Often, for such an impromptu sauna, a small square opening of approximately 0.3 meters is enough. Don't forget about the plug : it is made of a wooden plank with a piece of polystyrene foam glued to it.

Insulation of the sauna

Along with reliable plastic windows, which will help maintain the temperature in the “dressing room” as best as possible, additional insulation and insulation of the steam room will be needed. To insulate the ceiling of a room, a thermal insulation material such as mineral wool is suitable. It is durable and absolutely safe to use. The beams are fixed on the ceiling approximately 35 cm apart and mineral wool is placed in the space between them, and then foil insulation is fixed.

Before treating the walls, you need to install the wiring from the electric meter to the sauna. It is worth using a special heat-resistant cable. To save space on the balcony, the outside should be insulated with foam plastic. Inside, 50x50 mm bars are placed vertically at a distance of about half a meter. The space between them is filled with mineral wool for insulation. Then the walls are covered with foil insulation, onto which slats are subsequently nailed. This structure is finally sheathed with clapboard or other wood material. Perfect for finishing boards with shrinkage less than 10%.

Before insulating the floor, keep in mind that the floor structure itself must be installed with an inclination towards the street so that condensation and moisture do not accumulate inside the room and create problems for you and your neighbors. Logs are placed on the floor 30 cm apart and filled with mineral wool. The floor is first covered with waterproofing and then with boards. And in the steam room, the floor is made at least 10 cm higher than in the rest of the room to ensure additional outflow of liquid.

Requirements

A Finnish sauna using dry steam, which is produced by heating air from a wood-burning or electric (infrared sauna) heat source, is easier to operate than a miniature Russian sauna on a balcony using wet steam. A steam room on a balcony with hot, humid air places increased demands on the design, the main of which are:

• The interior must be reliably insulated from the cold air of the environment; for this, popular construction insulation materials are used.
• Steam should not have a harmful destructive effect on the elements of the supporting structure - when installing the chamber, it is necessary to ensure reliable waterproofing from the surfaces of the balcony ceiling slabs, walls and floors.
• In the balcony steam room, electric stoves (electric heaters) are used to heat the air and turn it into steam, consuming significant electricity. When installing heating equipment, you should strictly follow the installation and operating instructions, take increased electrical safety measures, using materials and components that are resistant to operation in high-temperature, humid environments.
• To heat the air, electric sauna stoves are used, which consume significant electricity. In order to reduce the financial costs of paying for expensive electricity, it is necessary to take additional measures to save heat - for this, along with insulation materials, materials that reflect infrared radiation are used.

Saunas - outside view

• The interior finishing material must be environmentally friendly, easy to use, prepared for long-term use in a high-temperature, humid environment, and minimize injuries. It is clear that today there is no alternative to wood.
• In a room with high humidity, fungus or mold often grows, and the decay processes to which wood is susceptible are accelerated. Therefore, the presence of good flowing ventilation is an important condition for ensuring the long service life of a wooden bathhouse; the air must be renewed both inside the room and between layers of finishing materials.
• An aesthetic appearance always improves your mood when using a sauna; it should also be easy to use and designed taking into account the ergonomic characteristics of the average person.
• For ease of use, it is advisable to arrange a room in which a person can comfortably stay after taking bath procedures. To do this, the free part of the balcony or loggia is finished accordingly, seating and a table are installed, the balcony parapet is insulated, glazing with low heat loss is installed, or the double-glazed windows are replaced with warmer ones.

Legitimacy of the idea

After enterprising citizens began installing mini-saunas in their apartments, representatives of the housing office and the fire inspectorate unanimously banned this installation. But according to regulatory documents, such installation can be carried out.

In fact, when installing a sauna, the balcony is not structurally rebuilt. Even if a partition is made, it will not be considered a major repair. Theoretically, there are no violations. Before installing a steam room at home, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the types of documentation:

• “Architectural and planning solutions for multi-apartment residential buildings” (SP 31 - 107 - 2004);
• “Residential multi-apartment buildings” (SNiP 31 – 01 – 2003).

It is recommended to contact the Management Company for registration to obtain a list of services from which you can obtain permission to install a mini-steam room. But if the neighbors don’t mind and security measures are followed, you don’t have to collect documentation.

Fire safety

In a steam room installed in an apartment building, only an electric stove is allowed. Its power should be up to 4.5 kW. In this case, there must be a ventilation system. It is prohibited to discharge steam into the ventilation shaft inside the house, since this load was not provided for during construction. The fire inspector will also require the installation of a special dry pipe that automatically supplies water in the event of a fire. The dry pipe must be connected to the fire alarm system.

Bathroom floor installation technology

Before constructing the frame of the structure, you need to completely insulate the entire loggia, using, for example, mineral wool.

Then they begin finishing the flooring, which is done around the perimeter of the balcony. In the steam room it is made 10-20 centimeters higher than in the entire room, which ensures the outflow of liquid from the water-repellent film. As a result, the cabin will always be dry.

Floor installation work is carried out in a certain sequence:

1. Waterproofing material is laid.
2. Install logs from beams 5-8 centimeters high in increments of 40 to 50 centimeters.
3. Insulation is placed between them.
4. Lay another waterproofing layer.
5. Floorboards are nailed to the walls to avoid getting burned by the metal caps during procedures. To ensure timely drainage of moisture, the floor covering is made with a slope.

Types of steam rooms

There are several steam rooms that differ in their healing effect, operating principle, and internal design. Before choosing the type of steam room, you need to study the features of each type.

Infrared

Infrared steam rooms are cabins of different sizes with glass doors trimmed with wood. An IR radiation generator is located inside. The waves warm up the body of the steam.

Infrared steam rooms are safe for the body, since if you choose the right mode, it is impossible to overheat in them. Radiation is not harmful to health.

It is prohibited to use cosmetics in the booth, as they may cause burns on the skin.

Japanese

Baths are very different from Russian steam rooms and Finnish saunas:

1. Visiting a Japanese steam room is a complex process consisting of several sequential procedures.
2. Inside there are large barrels with warm water in which visitors warm themselves.
3. Warming up should be combined with massage, covering the body with warm sawdust.

Before visiting a Japanese bath, you must undergo a medical examination.

Finnish

The sauna has dry air, minimal humidity, and high temperature.
To make a Finnish steam room in an apartment, you need to prepare a large room. Arranging a sauna with a shower in an apartment is accompanied by difficulties in connecting communications.

Turkish

Most people like hammams due to their mild microclimate. They are characterized by low temperature and high humidity. Steam constantly enters through special channels in the walls. Requirements for arranging a hammam:

• ceilings from three meters high;
• forced ventilation system;
• high-quality vapor barrier.

Hamams are suitable for cosmetic procedures.

Russian

Classic Russian steam rooms are preferred by most bath attendants. They are characterized by low temperature, high humidity, and abundant steam. It is impossible to make a real Russian steam room in an apartment, since it requires a stove that runs on solid fuel.

Electric

A popular option for steam rooms for apartments.
They are fireproof because they do not require the use of solid fuel. The room is heated using an electric stove, which increases energy costs.

Mini

For bathing procedures, a phyto-barrel is used - a container with benches installed inside. In terms of effect and design, the design is similar to ofuro. Before use, the barrel is connected to a regular outlet and filled with water.

Choosing a steam room

Factors to pay attention to when choosing a steam room for an apartment:

• available amount of free space;
• type of fuel used;
• possibility of establishing communications.

If desired, you can place a steam room on several square meters, for example, it is popular to arrange a sauna in an apartment on the balcony.

Organization of ventilation

In a sauna on a loggia, proper forced ventilation must be organized. The ventilation duct should exit to the street.

To do this, a small hole (up to 50*50 cm) is punched in the wall, which, when used as a sauna, will be closed with a special plug.

For the plug, take a wooden board, cut out a piece of such a size that it covers the ventilation hole on all sides by 5-7 cm. A piece of foam plastic is attached to it with such parameters that it fits exactly into the ventilation duct, tightly adjacent to the walls. It is not recommended to use mineral wool - it will quickly become unusable.

Additionally, the foam is wrapped in polyethylene.

What is the difference between a sauna and a bathhouse?

Before you begin construction, you need to clearly know the differences between both bath options. At first glance, a steam room and a sauna are one and the same. In reality, this is not the case, although it is also not worth considering both structures as something completely different.

What is the difference between a sauna and a bathhouse?

At one time, wood was used to heat the sauna, as in the case of the Russian bath. Also, many are mistaken about the fact that they do not use a broom in Finnish steam rooms - this is not true, since massage with birch branches is possible in both options.

Massage with birch branches

Regarding the differences, which certainly exist, they appeared only in the last century - at that time electric heating elements began to be used to heat the sauna. Then significant differences appeared. So, if the owner of a private house, in principle, does not care how to heat the stove, then in a multi-storey building this moment is decisive, especially when constructing a steam room on the balcony.

Electric sauna stove

Due to the use of a stove, a Russian bathhouse needs a chimney, which entails a number of fire safety measures and a bunch of papers that must be signed and approved. Add to this the bureaucracy inherent in officials and as a result, when everything is ready, the bathhouse may no longer be a joy.

Electric sauna stove

Dry saunas heated by heating elements do not have such disadvantages. They can be installed almost anywhere where electricity is installed. Balconies in multi-storey buildings are no exception.

Organization of electrical wiring

The cable must have good heat-resistant properties. Sauna stoves are very powerful and consume a lot of electricity, so they must be connected via a separate cable.

Work order:

1. A separate machine is installed on the distribution panel, taking into account the power of the heating device. 2. The power supply network is equipped with a residual current device. 3. A separate outlet is installed on the balcony. 4. The cable is laid, protecting it with a corrugated pipe. 5. The wire to the lamp is laid in a metal hose.

It is recommended to use special sealed thermal spotlights as a lighting device for a sauna. They work properly at temperatures up to 120 °C.

Switches, sockets and distribution boxes cannot be installed in the steam room. They must be taken outside of this compartment.

Beginning of work

The first thing to do before arranging a sauna is to prepare a balcony. For this purpose, continuous glazing is performed. In this case, the wooden elements will be protected from the effects of precipitation, and the level of thermal insulation of the room will increase significantly. Some of the insulation elements are made to open.

This is followed by waterproofing the balcony. First of all, you need to cover the floor. Before laying the waterproofing sheets, the base of the balcony is leveled and treated with penetrating waterproofing. Then the power supply is introduced. On the residential side, the input is equipped with a packet switch.

Floor

The best option for insulating a balcony is the use of polystyrene foam boards. This insulation practically does not conduct heat and has good waterproofing properties. Floor insulation is carried out in the following order:

• The logs are secured to the base using dowels. They are made from 30-40 mm timber. The height of the logs must be no less than the thickness of the insulation.
• In places of fastening, waterproofing is restored using liquid sealant.
• Thermal insulation boards are laid between the joists. They can be glued to a layer of waterproofing. However, they are often left loose.
• The seams between the insulation and the joists are sealed with sealant.
• A second layer of waterproofing is laid on top of the polystyrene foam.
• The final finishing – lining – is installed.

During work, you should adhere to safety rules. After such procedures, you can begin finishing the walls.

Waterproofing a balcony with your own hands is quite simple - it is important to select the necessary materials

Walls

To insulate the walls, the same material is used as for the floor - polystyrene foam. Penofol or foam glass are also often used. To secure the insulation to the walls, a special frame is made of beams. There should be a distance of 40-50 cm between the slats. Insulation is placed in each cell. Often pieces of material are not secured at all. When insulating a large area with mats, they are secured with special nails. The insulation layer consists of the following elements:

• insulation material
• diffusion film;
• clapboard finishing.

The top of the insulation is covered with a vapor barrier. This allows you to protect the material from moisture and condensation, as well as significantly increase the service life of thermal insulation and increase the safety of the balcony walls.

Often walls are insulated with polyethylene. The rolled material is thinner than mineral wool. In addition, it has a foil surface on one side. Aluminum protection reflects heat.

Penofol is laid with foil inside. The material is secured using wooden slats, which are nailed on the outside. After the insulation is laid, the walls are covered with clapboard. A photo of such a sauna on the balcony can be seen below.

Ceiling

Ceiling insulation is carried out in the same way as walls are insulated. However, in the case of insulated, the thickness of the insulation is less. Other aspects of the technology remain the same:

• first you need to fill the frame;
• then lay the insulation;
• fix the vapor barrier, perform finishing.

Such procedures will help to reliably protect the room from heat leakage. The work is done quickly and easily. The main thing is to follow the plan.

Ventilation

An important stage is the implementation of ventilation made in the outer wall. It will ensure the outflow of steam and eliminate foreign odors from the steam room. Ventilation is installed simultaneously with the construction of the ceiling. The outlet is equipped with a plug. It is made quite dense, which ensures heat retention in the room. For the plug, a piece of foam plastic cut to fit the dimensions of the hole is usually used.

Wiring

The electrical wiring stage is one of the most critical. Electricity is a source of increased danger, and moisture can cause a short circuit.

The lighting of the steam room must be closed. It is also necessary to reliably protect it from moisture. Thermal spotlights are often used to illuminate the sauna. They have a fairly high level of protection against moisture.

To protect the wiring from short circuits, the system is equipped with a special disconnect device (RCD). If you do the wiring yourself, you should follow the following sequence of actions:

• install a panel equipped with a 25 A circuit breaker;
• Use it to route wires to electrical points.

It is worth considering that only installation of lamps can be done inside the bathhouse. Switches and sockets must be installed outside. To protect the cable, corrugated pipe should be used. Its ends are carefully sealed.

Balcony for sauna

So, let’s say we have an empty balcony or loggia, and the idea of ​​arranging a steam room in this room does not cause internal rejection. Well, we’ll have to work hard, and first, let’s put the room itself in order.

Mini steam room layout option

The minimum program includes the following operations:

1. Dismantling all the old finishing - we will still need to completely redo the thermal insulation layer.
2. Inspection of the balcony base, if necessary, repair of all cracks and restoration of broken parts.
3. Dismantling the window connecting the balcony with the living space and erecting a permanent partition made of brick/cinder block/foam concrete in its place.
4. Construction of a permanent external partition where it is planned to build a nook for the sauna.

The balcony fencing may not be able to withstand it, so it is highly likely that reinforcing reinforcement will need to be welded on.

1. Balcony glazing using energy-efficient double-glazed windows (2 chambers, at least one low-emissivity glass, argon filled). It is better to take wooden or wood-aluminum frames for glazing, but high-quality PVC with a metal frame at least 2 mm thick is also suitable.

We choose glass with a mirror effect or install blinds - this way we will ensure the proper level of privacy.

1. Sealing the gaps between the base and the balcony railing, as well as sealing all the gaps between the walls, floor and ceiling.

Balcony ready for finishing

In general, our final goal is a durable balcony or loggia, without cracks or other defects, with solid walls in the part that will then be occupied by a mini-sauna.

Finishing work inside the sauna

The best material for finishing the steam room is larch, linden, poplar or aspen. It is best to avoid using excessively resinous wood, as resin can be released from the wood at particularly high temperatures and create an overly strong odor.

Depending on what type of sauna you choose (corner or wall-mounted), it is important to rationally plan the location of the seats and stove. A compact steam room on a balcony is usually designed for 2 people, and the shelves will be small - the width of the balcony

To construct 2 tiers, the beams are attached to the floor and to each other, and then seating areas are created with a minimum distance between them of 50 cm.

After fixing, all surfaces are sanded and coated with a solution to prevent swelling from moisture and drying from excessively high temperatures. Steam room doors can be made of wood or heat-resistant glass. To save space, doors must open outward. And you should not use a lock on the door, because if a person becomes ill in the sauna, access to it should be open. And one more important nuance: be sure to cover all screws in the steam room with wooden plugs. This will help you avoid possible burns from hot metal.

Selecting materials for a balcony sauna

It is better to select and purchase the necessary materials in advance, since in the case of sauna insulation, accurate calculations are important. Correcting mistakes on the fly and changing the plan of action is a bad idea.

As for hydro- and vapor barriers, as well as insulation, you won’t have to come up with anything new. You can safely use:

• Polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam, etc. for outdoor work;
• Mineral wool for internal insulation;
• Foil vapor barrier;
• Thick waterproofing film;
• Polyurethane foam and various sealants.

The main thing when choosing materials is to pay attention to their quality and fire safety.

As for finishing materials, the best solution for a sauna is wood. Moreover, for the steam room it is better to choose larch lining with a 10% degree of shrinkage. For the rest, conifers are well suited - when heated, they will give off a pleasant aroma to the room.

How to place plants on a balcony or loggia

In case of insufficient lighting, you need to make artificial

Everyone knows that different plants grow better in different conditions. There are heat-loving, moisture-loving, cold-resistant or shade-intolerant species. In order to choose exactly those plants that will suit your balcony, you first need to determine its location relative to the cardinal directions.

So, if the balcony is located:

1. On the north side, it is dominated by uniform diffuse lighting. Here, the sun's rays will not warm up the room much, which means that if it is not possible to install special lamps for plants and additional heating, you will have to choose those plants that are resistant to low temperatures and unpretentious to the lack of bright light. This could be gardenia, begonia, maidenhair, ficus or climbing ivy.
2. On the south side, plants will receive maximum natural light and warmth. In this case, you can safely give free rein to your imagination and organize a real piece of paradise with dwarf tangerine trees, light-loving palm trees, flowering cacti and various hanging flowers. But even in this case, you will have to carefully monitor the condition of the plants - the roots should not overheat, and a “greenhouse” effect should not be created on the balcony itself. Ventilation or installation of a split system will help. It is also necessary to hang curtains or blinds on the windows, and do not forget to maintain the necessary air humidity using a special device or a regular sprayer.
3. On the east side, in the first half of the day there will be moderate lighting and temperature on the balcony. But in the afternoon the sun can get hot, especially in the summer. In this case, blinds are suitable to create shade, and an air conditioner or split system can maintain the optimal temperature. You can grow ficus, diffembachia, ginger, coffee tree and various hanging flowers on such a balcony.
4. On the western side, the heat will remain around the clock. But on such a balcony you should also take care of shading. Fuchsia, monstera, ragwort, as well as some types of exotic plants such as coconut are suitable for growing.

In general, modern technologies make it possible to create the necessary conditions and microclimate in any well-insulated room. Installing a split system will help you avoid many mistakes and will greatly simplify caring for plants in the winter garden.

Now let’s figure out exactly how to place plants on a balcony or loggia:

• Dwarf trees, palms, large cacti or shrub flowers should be planted in large outdoor pots or flowerpots. In order to save space and comply with safety regulations, you should not place more than two or three heavy flowerpots on the balcony;
• Long hanging pots are suitable for the windowsill, in which you can plant hanging flowers, ornamental grass or various spices. You can also get confused with growing balcony garden crops like strawberries, tomatoes, etc.;
• Small plants can be placed in beautiful pots on a shelf or shelf. In addition, books, decorative elements, as well as utensils necessary for caring for plants can be placed here;
• Hanging and climbing plants look great in hanging pots - they can be placed both against the walls and under the ceiling.