A private bath in a summer cottage or on the territory of a country house is the dream of many owners. The benefits of bath procedures are obvious - they strengthen the spirit, improve blood circulation, improve skin condition, and are effective prevention of colds.
Today the construction market offers a lot of building materials for the construction of a bath.
Features of the
All steam rooms for private use must comply with SNiP. The requirements for the rules for building personal plots are set out in SNiP 30-02-97, the requirements for creating projects for a personal plot - in SNiP 11-106-97. It is necessary to start building a bath from the familiarization of this documentation.
It is important that the requirements for the construction of baths turn out to be stricter than the standard standards for residential premises - this is due to the high fire hazard of bath buildings due to the presence of a stove in it.
When buying materials, one should focus not only on personal preferences and cost, but also on the compliance of the offered products with the conditions inside the steam room and in adjacent rooms.
The materials used for the construction of the facility must meet the following requirements:
- provide high levels of thermal insulation;
- have the necessary fire safety threshold;
- be environmentally friendly - do not emit toxic compounds during operation and heating;
- be resistant to moisture.
It is almost impossible to find a material that simultaneously meets all the specified requirements. However, special processing or the use of auxiliary materials allows a balance to be achieved. For example, wood is an environmentally friendly and warm material that is durable. To increase the moisture and fire resistance of wood, impregnation with fire retardants allows.
When planning the construction of a bath, it should be understood that even a small structure needs preliminary design. Drawing up drawings and the availability of calculations guarantees a high-quality and reliable design, so it's better to start with creating a project.
Do not forget that the bathhouse should be built at a distance of 10-15 m from residential buildings.
Which material should you choose?
During the installation of the bath, the climatic features, its size and number of storeys are taken into account. For example, if a bathhouse with accommodation is supposed, for example, having a second floor or a used attic, then a solid foundation is required, the selection of certain materials for the construction of walls.
The walls of the structure are traditionally laid out of wood or brick. However, today the construction market also offers new materials. Each of them has specific advantages and disadvantages, so the choice of one or another option should be approached responsibly.
Insulation is an obligatory element of most saunas. The only exceptions are steam rooms in the country, which are used only in the warm season, while it is desirable that they be built of wood.
The external decoration of the baths allows to increase the protection of the wall material, to give the structure an external appeal. It is recommended to choose a single finish for the house, baths and other buildings, which will create a single exterior.
Wood
Wooden buildings are a kind of classic. Depending on the type of wood used, the structure will have certain characteristics. Among the popular varieties, the breeds described below are distinguished.
Pine
Thanks to the emitted resin, this wood is protected from mold and pests. The material is moisture resistant, pleasant to look at, and has a low cost. However, during the heating process, pine gives off resin, which can be burned.
In this regard, it is not recommended to use pine wood in the steam room.
Linden
This type of wood has good heat resistance. For use under a bath, linden should be subjected to a special treatment, since it is characterized by low moisture resistance. The material darkens over time.
Aspen
At first glance, it seems that aspen is the optimal variety for organizing a steam room. It has such qualities as high density, which only increases over the years, moisture resistance, the ability to retain heat and a pleasant reddish tint. However, due to the increased density, the material is difficult to process, and also has a considerable cost. The main feature is the release, when heated, of substances that negatively affect a person (a head starts to hurt).
Fir
This type of wood is practically not used, since it quickly absorbs moisture, which causes rotting of the material. In addition, the wood is loose and does not have sufficient strength.
Alder
Wood of a beautiful reddish shade does not shrink, does not emit toxic substances when heated. The use of special impregnations allows to prevent decay of the material. Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the ability of the material to darken after several years of operation, as well as its high cost.
The construction of a bath can also be carried out from a bar - rounded or profiled. The first type is considered environmentally friendly and attractive, and therefore the structure does not need external and internal cladding. Thanks to the ability to connect the bars at different angles, it is possible to implement a variety of design solutions. Another advantage is high thermal insulation. You should know that the material shrinks, so it is important to follow the installation technology and give the building time for the log shrinkage.
Profiled timber can be solid and glued. Unlike its rounded counterpart, it does not shrink. Thanks to special impregnations (fire retardants and antiseptics), it is possible to increase the performance of the material.
The one-piece version is environmentally friendly, because there are no adhesive components in its composition, and glued beams are more durable and not prone to cracking.
A wooden bath retains heat well, removes gases and toxins. Due to its low weight, it does not require additional foundation reinforcement. It is worth noting the environmental safety of wood - during the heating process, it releases useful elements. Wood is able to absorb moisture, so the walls are "breathable", the room does not accumulate humid air, the steam in the bath is dry and light.
However, this ability negatively affects the state of the wood itself - it darkens, damp and rots. Finding the "golden mean" allows the use of a special impregnation. Another disadvantage of the material is its increased fire resistance. To increase the fire safety of wood allows the treatment with antipyrine. Finally, the shrinkage of the tree is about 13%, which is quite a lot, so in a year and a half after construction, the bath will have to be caulked again.
For the construction of a bath, it is unacceptable to use birch, beech and maple.
A frame bath is considered a budget option - this is due to the lower cost of the frame compared to brick and timber baths. However, it should be borne in mind that the installation of frame baths will increase the cost of insulation and internal lining of the building, while you will have to abandon the use of mineral wool and foam insulation materials and look for another material that would be moisture resistant and fire safety.
The advantage of frame baths is the high speed of installation (on average 2-3 weeks), which is partly due to the low weight of the material. This, incidentally, allows you to abandon the additional strengthening of the base. Finally, such a bath can be assembled at any time of the year, including at temperatures down to -15C.
The building material is environmentally friendly, "breathing", and in terms of its thermal insulation characteristics, the frame structure is not inferior to analogs made of timber or bricks.
Brick
The most important advantages of such material are the following positions:
- long period of service (the average period of operation is 15-20 years, but in practice this period is 2.5-3 times longer);
- visual appeal and no need for external cladding;
- fire resistance - the material is not flammable;
- low coefficient of moisture absorption, which ensures the durability of the bath and the absence of mold and mildew on its walls.
However, the brick is characterized by considerable weight, therefore, it is necessary to make a strip base under the steam room.
This determines the duration of the construction process - it is necessary to erect a concrete foundation and wait until it gains strength. Laying brick walls also takes a lot of time. In addition, the material is more expensive in comparison with a frame or block bath.
Brick walls do not "breathe", therefore ventilation gaps should be left during construction. It is better to insulate the bath from the inside. When erecting a brick structure, it should be borne in mind that it will warm up for a rather long time - about 1-1.5 hours.
The most convenient for work is a red one-and-a-half or gas silicate brick. The ceramic brick used has slotted holes, which significantly increases the thermal efficiency of the material. In addition, it is durable, attractive in appearance.
Solid brick has a large margin of safety, therefore it is recommended to use it for the construction of load-bearing walls and parts of the building that are exposed to increased loads. Silicate brick has high thermal insulation performance, but at the same time it has a democratic cost. For cement mortar, cement is required, the brand strength of which is not less than M200.
For the construction of walls, red brick is usually used, for the steam room zone - refractory or ceramic. Refractory bricks are based on a clay mixture subjected to dry pressing. The result of this technology is a solid brick with flawlessly even shapes, a smooth surface and a high ability to absorb moisture. Only such a material is capable of removing gaseous waste arising from the combustion process, and at the same time not being destroyed under the influence of high temperatures. The brand of such a brick must be at least M200.
Ceramic bricks are obtained by high-temperature firing of clay solutions. Thanks to this technology, hollow bricks are obtained with high thermal insulation values. A ceramic brick bath warms up faster than a solid analogue, which is achieved due to the presence of cavities in this material.
However, ceramic bricks quickly collapse under the influence of hot moisture, which implies high-quality steam and waterproofing of the bath.
Fireclay bricks are used for laying the sauna stove, which is the only material that can withstand the effects of open fire. It is based on clay, to which quartz grains, graphite powder and other additives are added. Raw materials are fired at high temperatures, which reach 1500C.
Fireclay bricks of the brands ШБ-5 and ШБ-8, which are able to withstand temperatures up to 1400С, are suitable for a sauna stove. Fireclay bricks are laid on refractory clay or special mixtures. Ordinary cement mortar will not work - it will crack under the influence of heat.
Blocks
Blocks in the construction of a bath are gaining more and more popularity, which is associated with the ease of installation of such a structure, the high speed of construction and the availability of material.
When building a bath, gas or foam blocks are usually used, which are considered a type of aerated concrete. They are based on cement and quartz sand, as well as foaming agents. The product has a regular rectangular shape and is characterized by increased strength. Strength is achieved by processing in special autoclaves.
Among the advantages of the material, the following indicators are distinguished:
- fire resistance;
- high strength;
- low weight - thanks to this, you can refuse additional strengthening of the foundation;
- ease of use - if necessary, the material can be easily cut into pieces with a hacksaw, you can make holes in it with a drill.
The obvious disadvantage of the material is the hygroscopicity of the blocks. To avoid the absorption of moisture by the material, special treatment of the blocks, as well as the use of a hydro and vapor barrier system, allows.
The thermal conductivity of a material varies depending on its density: the lower the density, the lower the thermal conductivity, and therefore the warmer the bath. This is because low density blocks contain a small amount of air bubbles.
When heated, they expand and prevent heat from escaping to the outside - the effect of a "thermos" is obtained. The average thermal conductivity of the blocks is 0.072-0.141. When moisture gets inside the material, this indicator decreases.
For the installation of blocks, cement glue is used. The use of cement is unacceptable because it contains water.
A more durable type of aerated concrete blocks are gas silicate analogues. Their increased reliability is due to the presence of quartz sand in the composition.
The most accessible type of blocks are cinder blocks. They include cement slurries and waste from coal and other industries (slags). This material is characterized by low moisture resistance, therefore it is not recommended for use in the construction of a bath. Damp, the material becomes brittle.
In addition, cinder blocks have low thermal insulation rates, therefore, when building a steam room from cinder blocks, you need to take care of a reliable heat and waterproofing system.
Before use, the material should be kept in the open air for a year - this is necessary so that harmful fumes and toxins are eroded from the blocks.
A better quality analogue of cinder blocks is almost hollow claydite-concrete blocks. Thanks to the voids inside, the material is lighter than the rest of the blocks, which speeds up the installation process and does not require strengthening the foundation.
The basis of the material is a cement mixture and expanded clay (fired fine clay). It is characterized by environmental friendliness, low thermal conductivity (depending on the fraction of expanded clay - an average of 0.15-0.45) and low moisture absorption. This allows you to create an inexpensive and warm steam room from expanded clay blocks, which will last for several decades. It is important to use materials of the M100-M150 brand for construction. Less durable blocks are only suitable for cladding buildings.
Expanded clay blocks are optimal for the construction of a bath in the northern regions, since their frost resistance (and, therefore, the duration of operation) is 2 times higher than that of foam blocks, and 5 times higher than that of aerated blocks. Basalt fiber with a foil-clad paper layer is recommended as a heater. When installing thermal insulation, it is important not to forget to leave a 2-3 cm air gap.
Another budget type of block is a ceramic block. It contains a cement mixture and ceramic powder, which makes it possible to talk about the environmental friendliness of the material. Like expanded clay counterparts, this material is characterized by low weight and durability. However, ceramic blocks have a high thermal conductivity, which forces them to install a thicker layer of thermal insulation.
For construction, you should use blocks with a strength of at least M100.
A rock
The stone bathhouse looks monumental and unusual. The material has many advantages: fire safety, low shrinkage, long service life. The stone is generally available and has a low cost. The shrinkage of the stone bath is only 5%.
However, along with its positive qualities, the stone has many disadvantages, which is why it has received little distribution in the construction of baths.
Complexity of construction is one of them. Due to the irregular shape of the stones, it is not easy to create a building of the correct shape. The stone does not retain heat well, therefore it requires careful thermal insulation, as well as an increased consumption of raw materials for igniting the furnace. In addition, the material has low gas permeability, therefore, a powerful ventilation system must be provided in a stone bath to prevent air stagnation.
Since the stone is large in size, the thickness of the walls of the bath will be very large - on average, it is 75 cm. For comparison: the thickness of the masonry is 51 cm, the thickness of the wooden walls is 15-20 cm. Large dimensions and, accordingly, the weight of the material require strengthening the foundation.
In addition, stone buildings do not "breathe"; condensation forms on their walls. It is possible to level this deficiency only by organizing ventilation and a powerful vapor barrier system.
Despite the low cost of the material, the construction of a stone bath will cost more than building a bath even from an expensive type of wood. This is due to the peculiarity of the installation of a stone steam room, a large amount of heat-insulating material, the complexity of processing and the large weight of the stone itself.
Other materials
For the construction of a bath, you can use other materials, for example, wood concrete blocks. Their basis (up to 90% of the composition) is wood waste, pre-crushed to the required size. They are filled with a mixture of cement with the addition of water glass or calcium chloride. The latter prevent the destruction of wood under the influence of resin acids, and also accelerate the process of concrete hardening.
The material has the following features:
- low thermal conductivity;
- environmental Safety;
- high hygroscopicity, which necessitates the use of high-quality waterproofing;
- low cost.
In addition, other positions can be noted:
- Higher heat capacity of the material in comparison with the heat capacity of air, which means the ability to create a favorable microclimate in the bath. First, the air in the room is warmed up, and then the walls. In a brick bath everything will be the other way around.
- Low strength of the material, which means the inability to withstand heavy loads. This makes wood concrete blocks suitable exclusively for low-rise construction.
- The need for external facing of the building made of wood concrete. For these purposes, it is better to use lining (the most affordable option in terms of price), brick or wood impregnated with moisture-repellent mixtures.
In addition to the selection and purchase of materials for the walls of the bath, difficulties may arise when choosing materials for the foundation and insulation.
Below are the types of foundations that can be used in the construction of baths.
Tape
It is a "tape" of concrete, which is located around the perimeter of the building. Thanks to this, the strip foundation is considered not only the most durable and reliable, but also the most expensive.
Such a foundation is required for brick and stone baths, as well as high-rise buildings (more than one floor, baths with attics).
Columnar
It has concrete bases, posts located at equal intervals from each other. The posts are connected by wooden profiles, on which the walls are then laid. The advantage of the base is ease of installation, as well as the ability to place them on uneven areas. Suitable for small wooden baths on one floor. This type of foundation is recommended for wooden baths, as it allows for additional ventilation of the room, which is important in high humidity conditions.
Pile
This type is somewhat similar to the columnar version, but instead of concrete posts, piles screwed into the ground are used. The advantage of the method is the ability to carry out construction even in frozen ground, that is, in winter. For baths of a large area or number of storeys, after the installation of the piles, concrete pouring is performed, and in some cases - welding of the piles around the perimeter.
Platen
This type of foundation is suitable for moving soils, including those near groundwater. A simpler option is to use ready-made slabs. If you need to save money, then they resort to reinforcing the base, after which they fill it with concrete.
Advice
Having considered the features of the materials usually used for the construction of a bath, you can decide on the choice of a specific option.
The best quality is a wooden bath made of spruce and pine. Ideally, if it is produced in the northern regions - this material is characterized by increased strength and moisture resistance. This option will allow you to maintain the necessary microclimate in the steam room, will give you pleasant sensations. Warming up, the wood fills the air with a forest aroma, which has a beneficial effect on the human condition. In addition, wooden baths are attractive and durable.
If you choose thermally modified wood, then it will not absorb moisture and swell, which means it will last longer. It is recommended to sheathe at least "wet" places of the bath with this material. In addition, thermally modified wood has a lower thermal conductivity compared to conventional wood types. If funds allow, then you can sheathe the bath with thermally modified clapboard - this will make the structure warmer and save on insulation.
Wood for wooden baths should be harvested in winter, since at this time of the year it has a high density, and therefore moisture resistance.
If logs are used, then their diameter should be 18-25 cm. If the diameter of the logs is larger, this will contribute to greater heat loss. The logs of the same batch must be the same - the maximum allowable difference between individual logs should be no more than 3 cm, otherwise they will not fit snugly together in the frame.
For the lower crowns of the structure, larch is suitable, as a more moisture-resistant material that is not afraid of mechanical stress and frost, the rest of the crowns are made of pine or spruce. Avoiding the release of resin by conifers allows special processing or the use of thermowood. Another option is not to use conifers for interior decoration of the steam room. For these purposes, cedar (an expensive option), alder, poplar and linden are well suited - these varieties of trees are distinguished by increased moisture resistance and the ability to retain heat.
High-quality logs do not have dark spots on the cut, the cut itself is solid, and the core takes up a third of the cut of the log and is distinguished by a uniform dark color. The surface of the logs is dark or light yellow in color, without branches, cracks and resin pockets. Similar requirements apply to the timber.
During construction, you should choose a profiled beam that has a better processing - this is a material that has passed the chamber drying. If funds allow, then you can choose glued laminated timber. In addition to a more aesthetic appearance, it gives less shrinkage, does not "turn out" during operation. However, the glued version is not suitable for those looking for an environmentally friendly material, as well as for people suffering from allergies, chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
The cheapest type of timber is considered to be an unplaned version. The decrease in cost is due to the fact that it is dried not in special chambers, but in the fresh air. However, the low cost of the material does not always mean the cost-effectiveness of the construction process. When using non-planed timber, high-quality thermal insulation, external and internal finishing is required. Besides, the material shrinks, therefore, after erecting the base of the bath, it is recommended to wait a year before proceeding with further construction.
Before use, the tree must be treated with an impregnation that increases its waterproofing ability, fire and biological resistance. It is recommended to repeat a similar treatment every two years during operation.
If you need a cheaper building, then you should pay attention to expanded clay concrete. It will be possible to build a structure quickly due to the convenient size of the blocks. Moreover, it can be of any size: 2 or even 3 floors. The material has low thermal conductivity and durability.
In an effort to build a budget steam room, you do not need to choose the cheapest materials - foam and cinder blocks or aspen. Such a bath will last only about 10-12 years, and during its operation there will be a lot of trouble.
If we analyze the cost of the material, then wood is considered the most expensive for the construction of a steam room. If we carry out calculations in cubes, then it is 2 times more expensive compared to bricks and blocks. However, when analyzing the total cost of construction, the use of wood is cheaper. This is due to the lack of large spending on the foundation (some types of baths, for example, an assembled barrel bath, do not require the usual foundation), thermal insulation, exterior and interior decoration.
An expensive wooden material for the construction of a bath is a log, a timber has a slightly lower cost (the cost varies depending on the type). It is followed in price by a carriage, which is a log hewn from opposite sides (especially popular in the Scandinavian countries), and a double bar (which is two boards with grooves - there is insulation between them, usually mineral wool).
It is important to choose the right insulation. Some baths require better thermal insulation, while other options imply only inter-crown insulation. However, regardless of the material used, any bath requires insulation of the ceiling - this is due to the fact that warm air always tends to the top.
To insulate the ceiling in a bathhouse, where the attic is not supposed to be operated, bulk insulation (expanded clay, sawdust) can be used or a clay ceiling is made. When organizing an attic, it is recommended to use tiled materials or to organize a floor screed in an attic room with the addition of components that provide thermal insulation to the concrete composition for screed. Ready mixes can be found in stores. For baths with an attic, insulation of the roof slopes with mineral wool or foam materials is required.
All baths require wall insulation, with the exception of logs. This is especially true for block and brick steam rooms. Frame structures presuppose the presence of a "regular" heat-insulating material inside the frame. However, if you plan to heat the bathhouse in winter and at the same time live in a rather harsh climate, then it makes sense to take care of additional wall insulation.
The most fire-resistant insulators are mineral and basalt wool. Such material is able to withstand heating up to 800 C, which is due to the peculiarities of the production of materials - rocks are heated to 1500 C.
If the bath is supposed to be used year-round, then thermal insulation of the floor will also be required. The choice of material depends on the type of foundation and the characteristics of the floor installation. For screw baths, a rough and finishing floor is required, between which a layer of mineral wool, extruded polystyrene foam or polystyrene foam is laid.
Expanded clay is suitable for the pile foundation. It is important that it be of different sizes: the larger one will retain the heat, the smaller one will fill the space between the expanded clay balls. Since expanded clay is hygroscopic, and when it gets wet it loses its heat-insulating properties, it is important to carry out high-quality hydro and vapor barrier.
Internal insulation allows you to create a comfortable atmosphere in the steam room and protect the walls from the effects of high temperatures. By protecting the walls with a layer of insulation and waterproofing, the owner protects them from moisture and thereby prolongs the life of the bath. For greater thermal efficiency of the steam area, when decorating it, it makes sense to use a double layer of insulation. The area around the stove - walls and floor - is additionally insulated with protective screens. If we are talking about a wooden building, then a refractory layer is needed, made of asbestos sheet covered with iron.
The minimum thickness of the insulation for brick baths, which are also operated in winter, must be at least 10 cm.
When choosing insulation and flooring, it is important to purchase an option that does not emit harmful components when heated. From this point of view, the use of linoleum is unacceptable.
It is not recommended to use mineral wool in the steam room area, which is due to the release of phenol-formaldehyde resins from it, which are the binder component of the insulation, when heated. Ecowool is also unsuitable for use in a steam room, as it has high hygroscopicity. In the steam room area, it is not recommended to use foil-clad polyurethane foam, as well as expanded polystyrene and polystyrene, which, when heated over 60 C, emit toxic substances. However, they can be installed in the washing area and dressing room - that is, where the temperature does not reach the specified values.
From the point of view of environmental friendliness, the use of basalt wool is preferable. The disadvantage of the material is the tendency to shrinkage, which means thinning of the insulation layer during operation.
Foam glass is used on walls that can withstand heavy loads, such as brick walls. It is the optimal insulation for a bath - it retains heat, does not burn, does not shrink, is biostable and environmentally friendly. The only drawback is the high cost and the need to strictly adhere to the installation technology.
External thermal insulation is usually combined with decorative cladding, choosing suitable materials for this. Brick and block baths do not need external insulation if they are supposed to be used seasonally.
Log baths are always insulated from the outside. For this, natural or synthetic insulating materials can be used. The most common natural insulation is jute, as well as flax, their combined versions and moss. Their main advantage is absolute environmental friendliness, and the disadvantage is the laboriousness of the insulation process.
Synthetic heaters are represented by heat-insulating tapes and combined materials.
Separately, it is necessary to highlight the insulation based on sheep wool, which is considered the best option for a bath from a profiled bar. The material is practical, since it performs the functions of not only insulation, but also moisture and windproof material. It is important that in the process of using the bath, the material does not become thinner. Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the high price, as well as the risk of moths appearing in the insulation.
Experts recommend using vegetable heaters for logs and synthetic ones for timber.
Wooden models are most widely used to create a door in a bathhouse. You should immediately abandon the use of the paneled option - it warps under the influence of moisture. The best option is a solid wood door.
It represents boards or glued boards up to 5 cm thick. A cheaper option is a frame structure - a frame made of bars, sheathed with clapboard on both sides. If necessary, insulation can be laid between the frame and the lining. The best type of wood in this case is linden.
Plastic doors can also be used in the sauna - the only exception is the doorway of the steam room. Metal, due to its ability to heat up, can only be used as the outer skin of the front door.
For saunas, a high-temperature hardened glass door can be used. Usually it is a glass sheet, framed in an aluminum bath and has a small gap at the bottom for ventilation.
There is a myth that the glass can burst from the heat, however, tempered glass with a door thickness of 8 mm is used for baths
The material has large heat losses in comparison with wood, so the stove will have to be heated more intensively. Another drawback is the high cost, as well as the production of products in standard sizes. However, you can always make a glass door to order the desired parameters. Unlike wood, such a door does not dry out and looks very attractive.
Beautiful examples of buildings
Today baths have ceased to be a place exclusively for the implementation of hygiene procedures. Modern baths are real spa complexes, places for relaxation with body and soul, friendly and family meetings. This imposes requirements not only on the size of the steam room, its internal and technical content, but also on the design.
If the financial possibilities and the area of the site allow, then it is possible to build a large bath, including not only a steam room, a washing room and a dressing room, but also spacious lounges, a billiard room, a small bedroom and a mobile kitchen.
It is more correct to call such a building a bath complex. Usually it is erected in a characteristic Russian style: from a thick log, with wings on the roof, carved platbands
The fashionable trend is to make flat roofs on luxurious saunas, on which you can sunbathe or just enjoy the view or organize a mini-garden.
A convenient option is to place an outdoor pool within walking distance from the bathhouse. A polycarbonate canopy on exquisite forged supports will protect the font from litter and the scorching sun. The pool can be of various sizes and shapes. Backlit fonts look original. Sun loungers and low tables are usually placed near the pool
Such complexes look most organically if they are made in the Russian style. As already mentioned, this involves the use of logs, simple shapes, light shades. An obligatory element is platbands on the windows, a porch; workshop woodcarving is welcome.
Opposite options are the minimalist-style steam rooms. They are distinguished by their functionality and compact size. The interior of the room is usually divided into 3 zones: a steam room, a washing room and a relaxation room.
The last component of the room, as a rule, is multifunctional, combining a small dining room, sofas and a billiard room.
Such baths look especially stylish when using fireplaces. The firebox of these devices is taken out to the recreation area and decorated with a fireplace portal.
A small bathhouse with an attached terrace or veranda glazed with sliding windows and doors looks spectacular. The terrace can overlook a pond or other water feature.
Another option is a sauna with a veranda. It can be small or quite spacious. In any case, its organization does not require a lot of effort and money. In the resulting space, you can arrange wicker furniture and a round table, organizing a cozy corner for friendly and family tea parties.
Lovers of privacy can put a voluminous armchair and a shelf with books on the veranda, and lovers of active pastime can organize a dance floor. In the latter case, you will need equipment and a disco ball. A small bar would also be appropriate.
If we make the veranda more closed (on the foundation) and insulated, then it will turn into a terrace. It is a good idea to organize a barbecue area here by installing a barbecue or mini-oven, tables and benches, armchairs. Functional and stylish on the terrace looks like a pool or jacuzzi, as well as a home spa. If you make the terrace light enough, then nothing prevents you from organizing a greenhouse here.
A two-story sauna is also economical. The main expense item for the construction of such objects is the arrangement of the strip foundation. The construction of the second floor, oddly enough, does not require large financial investments. On the ground floor there is a steam room and a washing area, on the second - a bedroom or a mini-living room.
Instead of a second floor, you can equip an attic. There are many options for its functioning - in addition to a relaxation area with upholstered furniture and a billiard room, here you can equip a home spa, a library or a cozy cinema
For lovers of high-tech urban styles, high-tech saunas will suit. As a rule, these are rectangular structures or other simple laconic forms of bricks or blocks. Preferred Finish - Siding Panels
The internal filling of such a bath usually impresses with its manufacturability - multifunctional electric ovens, steam generators, shower panels. All this allows you to get spa treatments in a limited space.
For high-tech baths, they choose gray, beige, steel shades, tinted glass surfaces. In the rest room, walls with imitation of brickwork, high bar counters, original island fireplaces look good.
The interior decoration is traditionally made of wood. By choosing light types of wood, you can visually increase the space of the bath. Darker, with a reddish tint, the options look elegant, give a special atmosphere of comfort, home warmth. For the washing area, as well as the room for the pool, you can use tiles or mosaics.
At the same time, it is important that the materials used are in the same style. For example, for a steam room, you can use wood and a stone stove, and then repeat this finish in the relaxation area. In the washroom, you can use tiles that also imitate stone surfaces.
See below for more details.