The bathhouse is an obligatory attribute of suburban and rural life. In it you can not only wash, but also warm up, steam, relax and improve your health. A visit to the bathhouse is a whole ritual that gives peace, tranquility, strength and energy.
Therefore, construction must be approached very seriously and responsibly. You need to start with a project. Namely: choose what size the structure will be. Previously, small bathhouses were built in villages - 3 by 3 m or 3 by 4 m. Of course, such a building is attractive financially, but there is still little convenience in it. Combining a washing department and a steam room is not always convenient.
Currently, the market offers a large number of projects for every taste and budget. The best project seems to be a bathhouse with a size of 4 by 6 m. It can provide a rest room, a steam room and a shower of such a size that 5 - 6 people can comfortably wash, steam and relax.
Features of the
Even before the start of construction, you need to determine on the site the place where the bathhouse will stand. It is good if there is a slight slope on it - this will facilitate the flow of water. It is better for him to equip a septic tank so as not to pollute the surrounding nature.
The project of a bath 4 by 6 m is developed taking into account the properties of the material from which it is supposed to be built. Most often they are built from wood. There are some subtleties here too. For example, birch is not suitable for these purposes, as it absorbs a lot of moisture and quickly begins to rot. A coniferous tree is also not suitable - under the influence of high temperatures it begins to "cry", and the oak begins to crack. Aspen is the best choice.which also has good aromatherapy properties.
In general, a 4x6 m bath is the most acceptable option. Such a building will allow you to comfortably accommodate a sufficient number of people, equip the necessary premises and will not require large expenses.
When choosing a material for construction, the type of foundation, etc., you need to remember that over time, the building will shrink. This is an important point that must be taken into account when developing a project and erecting a building.
If desired, the bath can be made in 2 floors … Now you will not surprise anyone with this, but such a decision will bring a lot of benefits. Suffice it to say that the second floor, in fact, will be a 6x4 meter room, in which you can arrange a comfortable recreation area or equip guest rooms.
Material selection
When choosing materials for the construction of a bath, you need to focus on the general design of the site, into which the building should harmoniously fit in, personal preferences and properties of each type of building materials.
Wooden, log sauna is a good old classic … Wood is environmentally friendly, durable, retains heat well, and it will be possible to save money on interior and exterior decoration - natural wood itself is very aesthetic.
In addition to logs, you can use a bar. The difference between a bar and a log is only that the first one turns out to be square in the cut, and the second is round.
A bar in the same way does not require additional finishing, has the same properties as a log, but when erecting a log house, the bar is easier to fit, and it is consumed less - therefore, construction costs are reduced.
The number of forest cubes required for construction is calculated individually for each project. To do this, you need to know the dimensions of the foundation (height, length, width), the number of rows of reinforcement, its diameter, the dimensions of the boards for formwork, and so on.
A chopped bath is, of course, a good option, but not the only option. The building can be made of bricks, expanded clay concrete or gas silicate blocks, from aerated concrete blocks, cinder blocks and others. Each of these materials has advantages and disadvantages.
Expanded clay concrete, for example, keeps heat well, is strong, durable, moisture resistant, it is resistant to fire, is not susceptible to mold and mildew. In addition, an expanded clay concrete wall is much lighter than, for example, a brick one, and is erected faster.
The disadvantages of this material are much less. These include:
- unattractive appearance of the blocks, requiring additional costs for finishing;
- the need for careful calculation during construction, taking into account the strength of the blocks;
- the material does not breathe well.
The main advantages of gas silicate blocks are their fire resistance and environmental friendliness.
The porous structure of aerated concrete allows this material to retain heat well, provide sound insulation, and also maintain a normal level of humidity.
The undoubted advantages of the cinder block are:
- affordable price;
- construction speed;
- soundproofing;
- decorative types of cinder blocks do not require additional finishing.
Among the disadvantages are the unattractive appearance of ordinary cinder blocks (non-decorative), heavy weight, instability to moisture (begins to collapse).
Another option is to install a frame bath. It is being rebuilt even in production, the material is adjusted, it is checked whether everything is taken into account. Then they are dismantled and built on the spot.
Such a structure is built quickly, does not require a capital foundation.
As for the foundation, we can say that the most acceptable will be a strip design. If the weight of the roof structure is not too heavy, it is permissible to use screw piles when erecting the foundation. In this case, you need to ensure that the installation of piles is done every 50-70 centimeters.
Layout
The 4x6 bath scheme is not only a steam room and a washing room. It can be equipped with a covered veranda for a comfortable pastime in the cold season, an open terrace for relaxing in summer.
If the bath has a second floor with a bedroom where guests can spend the night, it turns into a real bath complex. In addition to the bedroom, a swimming pool, billiards, and a recreation room can be placed on the second floor. The first is then assigned to the steam room and washing compartment.
When drawing up a drawing of the future structure, it is necessary to think in advance about the location and size of the rooms. For example, the area of the dressing room, which prevents the penetration of cold air into the room, is measured at the rate of 1.3 m² per person, plus the place where things and bath accessories will be stored.
For the steam room - different standards. There must be at least 1 square meter of space per person, plus the distance between the oven and the walls, plus walkways. The optimal height of this room is considered to be 2-2.1 m.
In general, the standard bath plan 4 by 6 meters consists of:
- dressing room;
- steam rooms;
- washing department;
- rest rooms.
Veranda, terrace, attic - this is at the discretion of the owners. The dimensions of the building make it possible to play with the size and placement of rooms.
The bathhouse will be built by hand or to order – the project is necessary in any case … It will allow you to distribute rooms in advance, designate their sizes, figuratively imagine where what will be located, and use the space most efficiently.
The roof can be pitched or gable. The second option looks more effective, more aesthetically pleasing. A bath with a gable roof, in addition, will allow you to use the space for equipping a rest room or for storing things.
It is better if the bath is made of the same materials, in the same style as the house - this will preserve the integrity of the style, create a harmonious ensemble on the site. In general, when building a bathhouse, one should not forget about the general design of the estate. The building should fit into it, and not stand out from the overall picture with its design.
It is good if the site is equipped with a well - this will ensure the constant availability of fresh water in the bath and save you from unnecessary costs.
Construction works
Before starting construction, you must follow a few rules:
- The bathhouse should be located on a hill. If there is no natural elevation on the site, you will have to build an artificial one. In this case, the construction will need to be postponed for a year - so that the soil can settle, be compacted in a natural way.
- It is necessary to resolve the issue with the water supply. A good option is to use a well.
- The building must harmoniously fit into the overall design of the site.
- The supply and storage of building materials is another important issue that requires an early decision.
As soon as all the nuances are taken into account, you can start working.
First of all, you need to fill the foundation. Its depth depends on the type of soil on the site and on how close the groundwater is to the surface.
If the soil is loamy or sandy, the foundation may be shallow. On clayey waterlogged soil, it will need to be laid deeper - below the mark on which the soil freezes in winter.
If concrete blocks are used when laying the foundation, it will be advisable to make a sand cushion under them. This will prevent them from "bulging".
A typical project of a 4x6 m bathhouse implies a five-walled building. Therefore, they begin to build the partition at the initial stage.
Before proceeding with the laying of the first crown (if the bath is built from logs or timber), the surface of the foundation must be treated with a special compound that will provide waterproofing of the base. It can be mastic or waterproofing material in rolls.
The first crown is the starting point of the entire structure. The final result depends on its accuracy.
After all the connections are fixed, you need to check how evenly the timber is planted, and whether the angles are precisely measured
If there is even the slightest inaccuracy, it is better to redo it, otherwise during operation the building will "lead", cracks may appear, and this will shorten the service life of the building.
It is better to start the second row from the corner … Each row must be laid with jute fiber - this will provide good thermal insulation.
Further work is proceeding according to a previously prepared plan. A detailed drawing of the future bath must be drawn up carefully, all dimensions must be accurately indicated on it, otherwise there will be hiccups during the construction process that will affect the speed of work.
As soon as the height of the walls reaches the required level, you can start building the roof. Before starting any roofing work, the ceiling beams must be covered with planks. First of all, you need to check all the dimensions of the upper crown (or row) so that the opposite walls are strictly parallel to each other.… Further, the rafters, lathing, roof covering, drainage system are installed.
The next step is floor. It must be insulated everywhere, except for the steam room and washing room. Mineral wool is suitable for this purpose.… Vapor barrier will be provided by modern materials.
First of all, a rough covering is mounted. A waterproofing material is laid on it - it protects the cotton wool from moisture from below. Next, the mineral wool is laid - carefully, without gaps, covering the entire surface of the floor. A vapor barrier coating is laid on top. Then the finished floor is laid. It can be fixed with simple nails.
If necessary, the floor covering can be sanded, skirting boards can be pinned, varnished.
In a traditional Russian bath, there are usually three rooms - a dressing room, a washing room and a steam room. But many owners of country houses complement this classic set with a relaxation room, swimming pool, vestibule or attic.
Regardless of the configuration, the size of each room should be sufficient for a comfortable stay. The length of the facade of the bath 4 by 6 m allows you to comply with this requirement. However, on what it is not worth saving - it is on thermal insulation … Even if the stay in the country, and therefore the use of the bath, is supposed only in the summer, you need to provide good thermal insulation. This will allow the bath to heat up quickly and keep it warm for a long time.
In the process of building walls, you need to outline in advance where the windows and doors will be located. In this case, it is not worth sawing a whole bar or log - you can try on the leftovers at your disposal.
Internal arrangement
The interior decoration of the bath depends only on the personal preferences of the owners of the site. It can be a classic design with natural wood, and modern materials can also be used.
For example, in a washing room, you can often find shower cabins or just trays that provide a quick drain of water, prevent water from getting on other objects. This is a good solution for a modern style sauna.
The interior of the rest room may include not only a table and chairs, but also comfortable sofas, TV, cabinets for storing bathroom accessories.
In the steam room, shelves are a necessary attribute of the interior decoration. They should be wide enough to sit comfortably while enjoying the steam. The optimal size of the shelves is from 40 to 90 centimeters.
In this room, wood is preferred. It is durable, withstands high temperatures well and does not emit harmful substances. Some wood species, such as aspen, emit special substances that are beneficial to human health and positively affect his emotional state.
Do not get carried away with metal surfaces, especially in the steam room and washing room. Hot metal can cause burns and injuries that not only spoil your mood, but may also have serious consequences.
In general, comfort and safety are the main criteria for interior decoration. Everyone has their own idea of comfort, so there can be many options for interior design. The bathhouse is a place where a person rests in body and soul. Natural materials will help make your stay safe, and the correct design of the rooms and sufficient space will add comfort.
Although the construction of a bath is considered a fairly simple task, it is necessary to carefully consider the layout, interior decoration materials, and its style. Then a visit to the bathhouse will bring maximum pleasure and benefit.
Examples of finished buildings
The bathhouse 4 by 6 meters is itself an impressive structure, and if it is also equipped with a residential second floor, it is already a real bath complex in miniature.
On the second floor, you can arrange a large recreation room, you can divide the room into several small ones - and arrange there bedrooms for guests. Or you can supplement the sauna with a pool, in which it will be very pleasant to swim after the steam room.
If the attic is uninhabited, you can store bath accessories, a supply of firewood or coal, brooms there. In this case, the cost of arranging and finishing the second floor will be reduced to a minimum, and the functionality of the entire building will increase.
For an overview of the project of a 4x6 bath from a profiled bar, see the following video.