The steam room is the heart of the Russian bath. It is here that a person experiences the healing power of steam and a birch broom, therefore, despite the simplicity of this small room, its arrangement should be taken very seriously. The DIY steam room, step-by-step instructions for which are given below, is carried out in accordance with numerous strict requirements.
Steam room design
A steam room is a relatively small room, usually without windows, which includes several mandatory characteristic elements:
- stove-heater - only this option allows you to get steam in the bathhouse; water, breaking on the surface of hot stones, scatters into tiny splashes, they create the so-called light steam;
- shelves are wooden platforms on which people sit and lie during the procedure; their size affects the size of the steam room;
- ventilation - air flow is ensured by ventilation holes, if the size of the steam room in the bathhouse is large, it is permissible to install a hood, but such a solution is considered unprofitable.
Important! The steam room in the bathhouse is finished only with wood. Moreover, only wood that does not heat up to critical temperatures is suitable for this, for example, aspen, linden or cedar.
The optimal size of a steam room in a bathhouse
When planning a bath, first of all, determine the size of the steam room and dressing room. It is not recommended to do this “by eye”. There are a number of rules that must be followed:
- The size of the steam room in the bathhouse is determined by the maximum number of users - according to the norm, for each person in the steam room there is 0.7 square meters. m, deviation is allowed for small-sized baths if they have seating shelves;
- the optimal size of the steam room also depends on the height of the tallest member of the family; the height of the room should exceed this value by at least 20 cm; even the tallest user should not touch the ceiling with his head if he is sitting on the top shelf;
- excessive height is also unfavorable: warm air rushes upward and if the steam room is too high, then too much power will be required to warm it up; the optimal height of the steam room is 2.2–2.4 m;
- the location on the sun loungers is also important, if there are supposed to be sitting shelves, then the steam room can be made smaller, but if those steaming will lie down, then the area of the shelves should be sufficient to accommodate everyone, the minimum width of the steam room will be 20 cm greater than the height highest user;
- Another factor that determines the size of the steam room is the dimensions and nature of the stove; a metal stove is quite compact, but its body literally gets hot, so it is positioned so that a certain distance is maintained from the stove to the shelf and walls; a stone stove does not burn, but it is noticeably more size, an electric heater requires a lot of electricity - this option is not suitable for large steam rooms.
Important! In calculations of this kind, the final, custom dimensions of the premises in the bathhouse are determined. When planning, you should take into account the thickness of the finishing and thermal insulation.
Dimensions of steam room for 2 people
Based on the listed factors, you can calculate the optimal size of the steam room for 2 people:
- experts believe that at least one side of even the smallest steam room should reach 2 m, thus compensating for the impression of a cramped and uncomfortable room; the size of the second wall is determined by the owner;
- The “useful” area of the steam room, that is, the shelves, should be at least 1.4-0.7 square meters. m per person, the total area of the steam room includes free space in front of the shelves at least 50 cm wide and space for the heater, the dimensions of the latter are decisive;
- In general, the recommended size of a steam room for two people is 1.8 m by 1.4 m.
Important! Metal stove You can’t put it in such a small bathhouse: it emits too much heat, and the steam room will turn into a sauna. An electric stove in a bathhouse is unprofitable because it consumes a lot of electricity. The stone oven is best choice, but has big sizes, therefore, for a steam room for two people, its dimensions are decisive.
Dimensions of the steam room for 3 people
If for 2 people the sun loungers can be placed one above the other, saving space, then for 3 people they will have to be installed in the shape of the letter “L”, which immediately increases the size of the steam room for 3 people. The configuration and dimensions of the steam room in the bathhouse are calculated taking into account the following parameters:
- It is best to install 2 shelves one above the other along 1 wall of the bathhouse and 1 shelf along the second wall;
- if the height of each user is 1.7–1.8 m, then the length of each shelf in the steam room should be at least 1 m, and the width should be at least 50 cm;
- placement in the shape of the letter “L” is very convenient because it automatically frees up space even for a brick heater in the bathhouse - at least 1 sq. m.
The optimal dimensions of the steam room are 2*2 m, that is, at least 4 square meters. m.
Dimensions of the steam room for 4 people
In this case, the shelves can be placed in different ways, which allows you to vary the size of the steam room for 4 people:
- if you mount the sunbeds also in the shape of the letter “L”, then the dimensions of the steam room in the bathhouse do not change - 2 * 2 m;
- You can place 2 shelves one above the other on opposite walls of the steam room. In this case, the heater is placed between the benches. That is, with a shelf width of 50 cm and an oven size of up to 1 sq. m, the length of the second wall of the steam room will be 2.5 m, since according to the standards the stove body should not come into contact with wooden walls and benches, in this case the optimal dimensions of the steam room are 2 * 2.5 m.
In such a steam room it is allowed to install windows. They need to be placed as low as possible so that the warm air in the bath cools less.
Important! The height of the steam room is calculated according to the height of the tallest user, but must reach at least 2.1 m. Otherwise, it becomes impossible to use the shelves located in 2 tiers.
DIY steam room: photo
The design of steam rooms is not too diverse - this is a functional bath room, always trimmed with wood, since no other material is suitable for a steam room. The difference in design is the configuration and placement of shelves, lighting, dimensions and, of course, the shape and design of the heater.
The most authentic look is a steam room in a real log house. In this case, there is no additional finishing, and the highlight of the design is the log walls themselves. The shelves and benches in the bathhouse are chosen to be deliberately rough, and the stove is built of brick.
A steam room decorated with linden or cedar smooth boards with a lounger made of the same material looks less ethnic. The design of the bathhouse is complemented by wooden decorative elements with lighting, brooms and wooden buckets. Here the heater can be either brick or metal.
A bathhouse in the Art Nouveau style includes a decorative panel made of logs, wooden bricks, and wood chips.
Most exotic look The steam room in the bathhouse is enhanced by lighting. By varying the color of the radiation and the location of the lamps, you can achieve amazing results.
Steam room arrangement
In order for the steam room to serve for a long time, and the bathhouse to always bring benefits, reliable materials should be used when arranging it. There are many requirements here and they must be fulfilled strictly:
- cladding - sanded boards, lining, imitation timber, it is allowed to use only wood in the bathhouse and that which can withstand the action of steam well and does not heat up too much: linden, aspen, black alder, ash; among the coniferous varieties, only cedar is suitable for a bathhouse, since the rest release resin too actively when heated;
- thermal insulation – absolutely necessary element for baths, most often used mineral wool, when installing a steam room, it is better to use foiled mineral wool, as it better protects the material from the action of water; it is not recommended to use foam in a steam room, since under the influence of temperature it releases harmful substances and is destroyed quite quickly;
- waterproofing - preference is given to foil materials: aluminum foil, foil foam insulation or glassine, this option not only protects against moisture, but also reflects heat back into the steam room, which allows you to heat the room at a lower cost;
- vapor barrier - allows air to escape, but prevents contact with water. For the bath, you can use polypropylene film or kraft paper. However, it is better to use modern developments: membrane variolation, foil-based on kraft paper or fiberglass;
- pipes for bath ventilation– are absolutely necessary for supplying air to the stove and ensuring its circulation in the room; ventilation pipes in the steam room are installed in plastic, the main thing is to correctly calculate their dimensions.
When installing a steam room in a bathhouse, the future owner independently chooses the optimal material, taking into account the size of the room, the material of the structure and his capabilities.
How to properly make a steam room in a bathhouse
Arrangement of a steam room in a Russian bath includes several stages:
- steam room layout - choice of heater, arrangement of shelves, lighting method, etc.;
- calculation and arrangement of ventilation - its type is determined by the size of the steam room in the bathhouse;
- waterproofing and thermal insulation of walls and ceilings in the bathhouse;
- installation of a heater - if a brick stove is being built, then the work is done even before the walls of the steam room are thermally insulated; in addition, for a stove of such mass it will be necessary to do concrete base;
- finishing of the steam room - covering with clapboard or edged boards.
Lastly, place the shelves and decorate the bathhouse in the chosen style. The backlight is mounted in accordance with the type. For example, side fiber optic is laid on top of the trim, and built-in or LED - before the trim.
Floor installation
The standard, most reliable option for a floor in a bathhouse is a concrete base covered with wooden flooring. It is also possible to finish the concrete floor with tiles or porcelain stoneware. In this case, wooden ladders are laid because the tiles heat and cool too much.
First of all, you should choose the type of floor for the bath - dry or poured:
It is much easier to arrange a poured floor in a steam room. However, this option can only be performed on sandy soils, since such soil easily absorbs large volumes of water.
It is much more difficult to create a dry floor in a bathhouse.
Important! A dry floor in a bathhouse must have a slope, so its design should be carefully calculated.
Vapor barrier and ceiling finishing
In a steam room, ceiling insulation is more important than floor insulation. The heated air rises, and if there is no barrier in the form of a heat-insulating layer, it transfers heat to the cold roof.
- Finishing ceiling surface in the bathhouse they begin by laying the wooden sheathing in increments of 2 cm less than the width thermal insulation material. The slats for it need to be treated with antiseptics. Waterproofing is fixed to the sheathing - film, penoizol.
- Mineral wool is laid between the beams.
- The insulation is covered with a vapor barrier, preferably foil. The joints are sealed with metal tape.
- The sheathing is fixed over the vapor barrier. The direction of the slats is perpendicular to the direction of the bars in the sheathing.
- Boards or lining are fixed to the sheathing. A layer of air remains between the vapor barrier layer and the finish.
- When decorating a steam room, you should take into account the presence of a chimney. For it, a hole is made in the rough flooring, thermal insulation “pie” and finishing. In addition, it is necessary to arrange fire protection here: thermal insulation of the chimney pipe, a pipe for crossing the ceiling.
If the bathhouse has an attic space, you can insulate the ceiling from the reverse side by covering the floor in the attic with expanded clay.
Efficient ventilation
The ventilation device for a Russian steam room and sauna is very different. For a Russian bathhouse, burst ventilation is quite sufficient: if the door is open during breaks between procedures, then this will be enough. But then a window should be installed opposite the sash.
Otherwise, it is worth forming ventilation using two pieces of asbestos-cement pipe. To do this, at the level of the heater vent, a hole is made in the nearest wall for air flow. It is better to install a pipe, as it is more resistant to moisture.
An outflow hole in the steam room is made at the level of the shelves to improve air circulation and achieve traction.
As a rule, forced ventilation in a bathhouse is required only in cases where preliminary calculations were done incorrectly.
Electricity
When building a steam room with your own hands, you should also take care of the lighting. If an electric fireplace is used, cable laying becomes a necessity.
This problem is solved in 2 ways:
- Ideally, there should be no paired electrical wiring, since contact of the cable with moist air is unacceptable, so the best solution is to lay the wire through the wall to the point where the lamp is fixed or the electric furnace is installed;
- if this option is not feasible, the cable is laid along the wall behind the finishing of the steam room, in this case it is necessary to use special heat-resistant wires and additionally protect them with PVC corrugation.
The characteristics of the cable are determined by the needs: for lighting, for a heater.
Wall insulation
The thermal insulation of walls in a bathhouse is determined by the material of the structure.
If we're talking about about a log house or structure made of profiled timber of good thickness, then the walls do not need special thermal insulation. It is quite enough to fix a layer of thermal insulation or foil foam insulation on the walls. Then fix the sheathing and attach it on top finishing boards or lining.
If the bathhouse is frame, for example, then the insulation is organized according to the same scheme as the process of ceiling insulation described above. The only difference is the number and size of the holes: you will need to create ventilation vents and an opening for the stove in the steam room, if it is built-in.
The thickness of the thermal insulation layer is calculated depending on the load: the colder the winters in the region, the thicker the thermal insulation is made.
Furnace installation
Installation of the stove depends on its type.
The electric heater is installed on the floor or mounted on the wall in any chosen location in the steam room. In this case, a chimney is not needed, but a cable must be laid through the wall to connect the device.
The brick oven is laid at the stage of laying the foundation of the bathhouse. You can make such a structure with your own hands only if you have some experience.
The metal furnace is installed as follows.
- Placed on the floor of the steam room a metal sheet, exceeding the perimeter of the body by 20 cm.
- Stir the oven and line it with bricks. If this option is not suitable, the wall around this area is covered with brick. On average, the dimensions of the cladding exceed the dimensions of the body by 20 cm.
- A hole is formed in the ceiling for the chimney. The section of the ceiling in the steam room and in the attic space is sealed with metal. The pipe must be placed in a metal pipe with thermal insulation to avoid contact between the chimney and the wooden material.
- Then a damper and a chimney pipe are mounted on the stove.
If necessary, attach a heating tank to the pipe. In this case, you will need to make holes in the ceiling of the steam room and for the pipes supplying and discharging water.
Door installation
As a rule, in the steam room they install wooden doors, although in modern interior Glass ones are also often used. However, such a model is very difficult to install and will require the participation of specialists.
The main task of the sash is to ensure a tight closure so as not to let out heat from the steam room. Its installation includes several steps.
If desired, the opening can be decorated with decorative trim.
How to make shelves correctly
A steam room in a bathhouse with your own hands cannot do without shelves. The shape and size depend on the area of the steam room and the number of future users. The length and width of the sitting shelf is 40 cm. More convenient option assumes a length of 60 cm. If you are supposed to sit on a sun lounger with your knees bent, its minimum length is 150 cm. The dimensions of the sun lounger reach 2 m.
- They build either two- or three-tier shelves. The distance between them is 35 cm.
- The frame is assembled according to the size and shape chosen, usually from larch. The structure is fixed to the wall of the steam room. For reliability, inclined supports are installed.
- Shields are assembled from linden or aspen boards 5 cm wide. There should be a gap of 1 cm between the boards.
- The shields are fixed to the frame.
Can not use conifer tree for shields, as opposed to frames, since it releases a large amount of resin.
How to make a steam room in a bathhouse with your own hands: video
Organizing a steam room in a bathhouse with your own hands is not easy. But if you follow all the recommendations and advice experienced craftsmen, this task is quite feasible.
Conclusion
A do-it-yourself steam room, step-by-step instructions for which includes arranging the floor, installing a stove and requirements for thermal insulation, allows you to cope with this work in a fairly simple conditions. If, for example, complex materials are used to decorate a bathhouse, and the room should serve as both a steam room and a sauna, you will need the help of specialists and more complex equipment.
The steam room is the main room of the Russian bath. The healing effect of a bath procedure depends entirely on how well it is constructed. The steam room must withstand high temperatures and be comfortable.
Proper ventilation is also necessary. Insulation and decorative finishing of the steam room of a Russian bath are also very important components of construction.
Selecting the right material for covering the steam room
First of all, you need to choose the right materials for the steam room. Its internal lining is usually made of wood. If you have a log bathhouse made from a log house, then you don’t have to cover it all.
The process of constructing a log house involves only rough processing of logs and often does not meet the requirements of modern aesthetics. Based on this, it is necessary to decorate the steam room with thin wooden planks or, as builders call them, clapboards.
Most often, the interior decoration of the steam room is made on your own from deciduous wood varieties - aspen, linden, maple and alder. Linden is especially good in this regard, which is why it is the most common material for covering steam rooms.
In general, an important principle contained in the finishing technology: it is recommended to use wood that has the lowest density, since it heats up weaker and slower.
A very popular way to decorate a steam room with your own hands is cedar, from the boards of which all resinous substances have been removed. For those who are not afraid of the high cost of work and the same prices for the material, we can recommend covering it with African abashi wood. This tree species maintains the temperature of the human body even in extreme heat (+100°C and above).
But it should be warned that lumber from deciduous trees in conditions of high humidity and high temperature get dark quickly. And experts generally do not recommend decorating a steam room with beech, elm and oak.
Advice from the master!
Coniferous species are used not only for lining the dressing room and sink; they are also, although much less frequently, used for lining the steam room. Mainly northern pine. The smell of its pine needles creates a pleasant aroma. And the resinous substances released from the walls during the heating of a brick stove do not bother the steamers during operation.
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Pair compartment lining technology
The arrangement of a steam room in a Russian bathhouse is quite simple: a rectangular or square room, small in size, with a stove-stove standing in one of its corners. The room is equipped with sun loungers in two or three tiers on the wall opposite the stove. The room is constantly exposed to very high temperatures and humidity, so it must be arranged in such a way as not to get burned, but also not to release heat and steam.
Based on this, finishing the steam room involves installing a vapor barrier in it. It is needed to protect the walls from moisture. You can use polyethylene film or aluminum foil as it.
You can also buy special rolls polymer materials, so-called “diffusion membranes”. You can find out what they look like by looking at specialized websites such materials as finishing the steam room of a Russian bath: photo.
First, the ceiling and walls are covered with a layer of insulating material. It will reduce heat loss and maintain a high temperature in the room.
It is recommended to use insulation on mineral based, they have good biological resistance. The thickness of the thermal insulation layer is selected based on design features walls It is prohibited to use polystyrene, PVC and other materials that may release harmful substances when heated or have a tendency to swell.
The ceiling must be insulated especially carefully:
- The first layer on it should be roll paper. Attach its panels when finishing the steam room, overlapping each other with sufficient allowance.
- The second layer is thermal insulation – mineral wool.
- Third layer - vapor barrier material. As such, you cannot use materials based on bitumen - glassine, roofing felt, roofing felt, they will smell unpleasant when heated.
Among other things, when a steam room is installed in a Russian bathhouse, a high threshold (30 cm) must be built at the entrance to it. He won't let you leave warm air and will prevent the penetration of cold.
The finishing of the steam room itself with clapboard differs slightly from the covering of other rooms in the bathhouse - not only in the choice of material, but also in the installation technology itself. After all, due to the heat and high humidity, the wood of the lining will still expand and move, and therefore, when fastening it, it must be left at least a small gap - this is just one of the subtleties of the whole process. This article will tell you in more detail how you can finish the steam room with your own hands.
Rules for selecting finishing materials
High-quality interior decoration of a steam room requires two main important steps: choosing a finishing material that can withstand constant temperature changes well, and insulation that is absolutely safe for humans in such conditions.
Thus, not all materials can be used in a steam room due to its special temperature and humidity period. Eg, mineral wool slabs, fiberboard and chipboard become especially toxic when heated, and also quickly absorb moisture, swell and deteriorate. The linoleum will completely rot... But all this can be safely used for a rest room, where there is no such humidity and it is not hot. The finishing material for the steam room can only be lining, block house, tiles or stones.
Why is lining most often chosen as a finishing for a steam room in a bathhouse? It's simple: fresh heated wood will always release a valuable natural aroma, does not burn and makes the design of the steam room expensive and noble. As for aspen as a finishing material, its main advantage is its low price and ability, as our great-grandfathers believed, to “take away negative energy" Almost all diseases in Rus' were treated with aspen - and even fever, and therefore baths were built mainly from it (although sometimes bath attendants complain that aspen paneling “leads”). Many people like linden as a finishing material, first of all, because it is light and smells good. But those steam rooms that were lined with alder look light, beautiful and give a pleasant aroma.
Pine is not traditionally used for lining steam rooms - due to the fact that at high temperatures it releases resins. After all, it is worth remembering that a large amount of resinous substances in a hot steam room are carcinogens. But it is still possible to attach linings made of this wood to the ceiling, and many do it - if you only choose the material itself is of high quality and without knots, then even at a temperature of 85˚C it remains clean. This is grade A lining, in which there are no knots, and, therefore, no pockets with resins. What is this all for? And so that, with odor-neutral lining on the walls in the steam room, a pleasant smell of pine needles is created. Plus fir brooms - a real SPA in Russian!
By the way, the steam baths, decorated with salt stone, are also very beautiful. And the procedure itself is extremely beneficial for health: even blood pressure is normalized, and according to reviews, after such bath procedures it is simply wonderful.
Step-by-step finishing technology
So, finishing the steam room consists of the following main stages:
- Thermal and waterproofing of walls, ceilings and floors;
- Rough and finishing flooring;
- Headlining;
- Wall cladding;
- Installation of shelves and bath furniture.
The second main requirement for the arrangement of a steam room and its finishing materials is to ensure complete fire safety. That is why basalt wool is so preferable as insulation and insulator for wooden surfaces near the stove and chimney.
As for finishing the floor in the steam room, it is usually raised to a level higher than 15-20 cm than in other rooms in the bathhouse. So the steam room is then warmer and there are fewer drafts. The floor itself in the steam room is usually tiled - it is not afraid of moisture and is easy to clean. And a linden lattice is traditionally placed on top of it - and such a floor will never rot.
Stage I. Adaptation of wood to the microclimate of the room
To ensure that a good, high-quality lining does not “sink” from the very first days, it is important to first “acclimatize” it to the room where it will be installed. It’s easy to do: bring it in, lay it out, and start installation only a day later.
If it turns out that the walls in the bathhouse have differences, they need to be leveled before installing the lining, otherwise the slats will be at different levels.
Stage II. Preparation for repair work
Here's what you'll need to secure the lining in the bathhouse:
- Lining;
- Hammer;
- Wooden blocks 40x50 mm;
- Screwdriver;
- Vapor barrier and insulation;
- Construction stapler;
- Hammer;
- Building level;
- Self-tapping screws and clamps.
And themselves installation work begin when the electrics and all necessary communications have already been installed in the bathhouse.
Stage III. Installation of sheathing and insulation
So, first you need to install a wooden sheathing - for this, the hangers are attached 60-60 cm to each other, with 60 mm self-tapping screws. The slats are usually installed at a distance of 50-100 cm from each other. Using self-tapping screws, we attach the bars to the hangers, and the outermost bars are installed first, the position of which must be carefully checked with a plumb line and level. Next, the mounting thread is fixed on them and the remaining slats are secured with self-tapping screws.
If nails are used to finish the clapboard, then you need to take only high-quality ones - after all, at high temperatures they may simply not withstand it, and the clapboard will collapse.
Next, coat the mounted sheathing with an antifungal primer and let it dry. Only after this we put insulation - between the wall and the sheathing, and a vapor barrier - we already use it for this construction stapler. By the way, many people use it as insulation for steam room walls. basalt wool– it does not burn, does not rot and does not emit hazardous chemicals, and can withstand up to 1500˚C.
Expert advice: to install or not to install sheathing under the lining - this question comes up quite often. The answer is quite simple: if the walls are perfectly smooth, then, in principle, there is no need to install lathing. But if there is a difference of even one centimeter, all the jambs will be clearly visible.
Stage IV. Fastening the lining
At this stage, the room is traditionally measured and the lining is cut according to how it will be attached. And it will be possible to fasten it with nails, staples, and inconspicuous clamps - here who already prefers what. Only in the castle itself will it need to be attached to wooden blocks nails - but they will not be visible. The only point: clasps take a lot of time and require special skill.
The lining of the steam room should begin from the stove - namely from fire protection walls, if this is a steam room, and from the door, if another bath room is being built. We go around the perimeter of the room, cutting the last board as needed.
The lining is nailed onto the doorway using bars. If the layout of the steam room itself requires the presence of a window, you need to proceed as follows: initially, a starting strip is screwed onto the window slopes, we insert the lining into the groove at one end, and nail it to the interior finishing of the bathhouse with the other.
Another important point: ventilation gap between the lining and the foil must be done so that the lining itself does not rot on its reverse side and does not develop mold. To prevent the lining from coming into direct contact with the floor and water, a row of tiles are glued on the wall from the floor - the result is neat and stylish.
Stage V. Processing of lining
Special protective impregnations make the bath lining more durable and allow it to look like new, quite for a long time. Supi Saunasuoya is suitable as a protective composition for the steam room, and Supi Laudesuoya from Tikkurila is suitable for ceilings. The lining for the steam room will need to be impregnated once, and for the washing room and dressing room - twice. There are also good reviews about the new Teknol wax, which was developed specifically for saunas - it can be used to cover log scraps in a steam room, and it gives the impression that they are covered with plastic.
Before impregnating the lining special means, it is advisable to sand it with regular sandpaper. This will create roughness that is invisible to the eye, thanks to which protective composition will lie flat and tenacious. Moreover, it is necessary to impregnate the lining on both sides, giving it the opportunity to dry thoroughly for at least two days.
That's all technology - who can't handle it? But the result will surpass all expectations - no matter what you say, but the lining in the bathhouse always looks its best!
Steam room in the bathhouse - arrangement on your own
The question of how to make a steam room in a bathhouse is more than relevant and this is not surprising, since without a steam room a real bathhouse is impossible in principle. The comfort and safety of using the bathhouse largely depends on how well the steam room is made.
So, can a steam room for a bath be made independently or is it still necessary to invite specialists who will cope with the task for a certain fee?
Stages of arrangement
A sauna with a steam room and a sink, built on its own summer cottage or near country house, this is not that uncommon.
The construction of this facility is step-by-step work, including the following points:
- Project development;
- Insulation;
- Carrying out finishing works;
- Installation of oven and shelves;
- Door installation.
Design
Any DIY construction begins with design. How easy to use the bathhouse you built will depend on this stage.
The correctly planned location of the stove in the steam room, the presence of ventilation, the optimally selected ceiling height, the distance of the bathhouse shelves from the stove and many other points should be reflected in the project. The use of standard bathhouse designs is complicated by the fact that the location of the steam room is indicated there and nothing more.
Important: the steam room design must take into account the maximum number of potential visitors.
The standard dimensions of a steam room in a bathhouse are 2 x 2.4 meters, which is enough to comfortably accommodate 2-3 people. The height of the room should be no more than 2.2 and no less than 2 meters, so that a tall person can use the steam room almost without bending down.
Thermal insulation
A well-executed design of a steam room for a bathhouse is not a guarantee that you will be provided with the required comfort. Taking into account that the optimal effect of staying in a steam room is achieved due to high temperature, it is important to take care of high-quality thermal insulation of the room. Thermal insulation is of two types: that which is carried out at the stage of construction of the bathhouse and that which is carried out during the implementation of a complex of finishing works.
If a bathhouse with a separate steam room is built from timber, we must use inter-crown insulation, such as jute tape. Upon completion of the construction of the walls, caulking of the bathhouse cracks and sealing of the cuts are carried out.
Wood is initially characterized by a low degree of thermal conductivity; in addition, the tongue-and-groove joint used in the construction of timber walls ensures optimal tightness. But only high-quality insulation will allow you to quickly raise the temperature in the steam room to optimal parameters and maintain it for a long time.
In order to reduce possible heat loss to zero, when designing a steam room, it is necessary to abandon windows. Instead of windows, you can use artificial lighting, the brightness of which can be adjusted according to your preferences.
Carrying out finishing work
Finishing a steam room in a bathhouse is a very important point, taking into account the high temperatures and high humidity parameters characteristic of steam room. In addition, at the stage of finishing work it is necessary to adjust the lighting in the steam room of the bathhouse. Regardless of the type of building as a whole, the paired compartment is lined with wood from the inside.
The main requirements for finishing materials in in this case is:
- compliance with environmental safety standards;
- structure with a small number of pores;
- resistance to elevated temperatures;
- low price and availability for sale;
- aesthetic appeal of the cut texture without the need for additional processing;
- light weight;
- ease of machining and, as a consequence, ease of installation work.
Important: lumber used for finishing in a steam room in a bathhouse cannot be impregnated with drying oil or coated with varnish, since when heated, such a coating will cause the appearance of foreign odors.
The finishing of the steam room, including the walls and ceiling, is carried out as follows:
- glassine or a vapor barrier membrane is attached to the rough surface;
- a sheathing of 50*50 mm timber is placed on top of the vapor barrier with a pitch between adjacent beams of no more than 50 cm;
- insulation (mineral wool or glass wool) is placed in the gaps between the beams;
- vapor barrier strips are attached on top of the insulation with an overlap of 10-15 cm;
- wooden lining is placed on top of the vapor barrier; as an option, a block house can be attached to the walls.
The instructions for making a floor suggest the use of boards 20*2.5 cm. The floorboards are laid on joists, between which insulation is poured, most often it is large or medium expanded clay.
Taking into account the abundance of wooden surfaces, it is necessary to take care of their safety. Protect the floor from damaging effects excess humidity You can use impregnations for baths made on the basis of vegetable oils.
Such impregnations penetrate the surface layers of wood and prevent the boards from getting wet. At the same time, oil-based impregnation does not emit foreign odors when heated, as happens with wood varnish.
For guard wood finishing You can use oil and wax based impregnations on the walls. Such products are absorbed into the wood, while a thin wax film remains on the surface. This film allows condensation to quickly drain down the walls.
Furnace installation and furniture installation
It is quite problematic to assemble a good stove for a real Russian bath on your own. It is much easier to purchase a ready-made stove-heater manufactured by professionals in a factory and install it according to the initially developed project.
Currently, specialized companies produce and offer for sale stoves in a classic or, conversely, modern design. You can purchase a unit with a blank, uninformative door, or you can buy a stove with a modern transparent hatch made of tempered glass.
Most stoves for use in steam rooms are made from sheet steel. The simplest modifications are a container for burning fuel and an open container for heating the stone backfill. More complex modifications can heat running water or water accumulated in a boiler.
During the construction phase of the bathhouse, a solid concrete platform is prepared for the installation of the stove. The part of the walls to which the unit adjoins is lined with heat-resistant bricks.
Modern stoves for use in a steam room must have the following qualities:
- increased service life;
- safety of operation and maintenance;
- efficient removal of exhaust gases to the outside;
- sufficient draft in the firebox for quick and easy ignition;
- Possibility of using both wood and coal as fuel.
Important: not just any stones are used in the steam bath, but mainly large-sized pebbles, which do not crack due to sudden changes in temperature.
Furniture for the steam room can be purchased ready-made or made independently. All household items that are installed in this part of the bathhouse are made exclusively from wood. The fact is that plastic cannot withstand high temperatures, while metal will heat up, which will result in discomfort.
Door installation
Today, bathhouse doors are manufactured to order by a number of specialized companies. On the other hand, you can assemble a durable wooden structure yourself and the resulting result will be no worse in quality purchased product. Features of door installation depend on the material from which the entire bathhouse is built.
If the walls are made of timber, then a casing of the doorway is made, into which the frame is mounted and after that the canvas is installed. If the walls are made of foam blocks, then the opening for installing the door is made at the stage of laying the walls.
Conclusion
A steam room is an integral attribute of every full-fledged bathhouse. Equip small room Anyone can do it, and it is not necessary to resort to the help of specialists. It is enough to purchase a lining made of natural aspen or larch, buy a stove-heater, install wooden furniture and the steam room is ready for use. More interesting information, you can find by watching the video in this article.
Construction of a Russian bath: doing it right
For our compatriots, the Russian bathhouse is a symbol of relaxation. In addition to its medicinal properties, you can have a good time with friends and talk about pressing topics in a relaxed atmosphere. If you like this kind of pastime, then you can build it on your site, but in this case you need to know well the structure of the steam room in a Russian bath. This is exactly what we will be discussing in this article.
The steam room is the heart of the bathhouse; the mood its visitors will receive will depend on it. The peculiarity of the Russian bath in question is that it has a different quality of steam and temperature compared to others. For example, if in a Finnish sauna there is dry steam with a temperature of about 110 degrees and humidity only 15%, then in a Russian sauna the temperature is 60 with the same humidity.
Steam room device
Even though the steam room important element in a bathhouse, its design is simple and does not require technical innovations. The main thing is to calculate the number of shelves and the oven, because it is this that provides the desired temperature.
Future owners of such buildings can install the following stoves:
- Brick. They heat up slowly and cool down quickly. Well suited for lovers of a traditional steam room. The resulting air is dry and light;
- Metal. This type of oven heats up and cools down quickly and can also cause burns;
- Electrical. These are modern devices that do not need to be heated with wood, but, unfortunately, they cool down quickly, and their price is high;
- Stone. Almost the same as brick ones, but more reliable. If you build a stove out of soapstone, it will be highly energy efficient. It must be said that the capital costs of building such a heat source will be high.
Another important issue is the arrangement of shelves in a Russian bathhouse. Experts advise making them from wooden slats, while leaving space between them for water to drain. Otherwise, they may begin to rot.
It is better to use aspen as a raw material for slats. The shelves are attached to the walls or floor.
Important. Do not use coniferous varieties trees for decoration or construction of steam room elements, because they contain resins that will release and smell unpleasant when heated.
Ceiling, walls and floor
At the very beginning, you need to decide on the future size of the steam room; it should accommodate three or four visitors. At the same time, it should not be too large or small; the ideal option is an area of 2 * 2.5 with a ceiling height of 2 meters. Such a device for a steam room in a Russian bath will be the most economical and convenient.
Think for yourself, if it is large, it will be difficult to heat it, and if it is small, it will be cramped and uncomfortable.
Typically, the following can be used for wall construction:
- Bars made of linden or aspen;
- Brick;
- Glued laminated timber;
- Cinder block, etc.
In the future, if necessary, such walls can be additionally insulated with mineral wool or other heat insulators.
Carrying out interior decoration you need to make sure that the boards do not have unwanted cracks and splinters. In addition, they should not be impregnated with varnishes, impregnations and similar substances. Suitable for this work only natural wood, and the sheathing itself is made according to the tongue-and-groove principle with an overlap, because this way the appearance of gaps can be avoided.
Now let's look at the construction of floors in a Russian bathhouse. It can be faced with tiles or wood. If you want to make a wooden floor, it is best to purchase larch boards. Bathhouse masters note that such a floor does not need to be insulated, since heat losses through the floor are less than ten percent, but waterproofing is required.
Unlike the floor of the bathhouse, the ceiling needs thermal insulation works, because according to statistics, up to seventy percent of the heat is lost through it.
Windows and doors
These elements are a special conversation. Special requirements are placed on them, since a large amount of heat leaks through them.
The construction instructions say that the door is made small so that a person can enter, but not let off steam. In this case, a high threshold (up to thirty centimeters) and a low bathhouse door are performed. If we talk about location, it is best to place it next to the stove. When installing it, you need to make sure that it opens inward.
The material can be wood or glass, but you need to be careful with the latter so as not to damage it. Despite the fact that it can give the interior a unique charm, it is impossible to insulate such a door, unlike a wooden one.
Important. Do not install locks or bolts in the bathhouse, as high temperatures may cause them to jam.
The door should open and close freely.
Window openings in the steam room of a bathhouse are not necessary, because the lighting from a small window will not be enough and you will still have to add lighting. This also applies to ventilation. But if you still decide to install a window, then you need to make it blind and with small in size. The ideal installation location would be at a low altitude because the air is cool there.
Ventilation and lighting
Creating a ventilation system requires special attention. Its main task is to remove steam and supply fresh air, while not giving off heat. It is best to use supply and exhaust ducts for this.
It is better to install windows for air flow next to the stove slightly above floor level, and the hood as close to the ceiling as possible and opposite. Typically, the exhaust hole is made twice as large as the supply hole.
Due to the fact that windows are undesirable, it is better to use interior lighting. The light should not be very bright, twilight is what you need. The ideal place to install the lamp is above the door, so it will not hit your eyes and interfere with your steam bath. In addition, you can install lighting under the shelves below, the light will be diffused and illuminate the entire floor area.
The wiring itself is pulled into corrugated tubes and fixed to the walls. Do not do hidden installation, as if it fails, you will have to damage the wall upholstery. It is strictly prohibited to install switches in the steam room; they are installed in the waiting room.
Conclusion
In this article we looked at how to set up a steam room in a Russian bathhouse with your own hands. As you can see, there are a lot of small nuances here, but if you show persistence and patience, and also take into account the advice, then you will succeed. In the video presented in this article you will find Additional information on this topic.
What could be the structure of your bathhouse?
In the Russian tradition, it is considered almost obligatory to install a bathhouse at the dacha, in country house, and some fans manage to build it even in a city apartment. But before you build a steam room, you need to choose its type.
Which sauna should you choose?
Now there are five types of baths, which are the most popular here and throughout the world.
- Traditional Russian steam room
This is a structure built from chopped logs. It is impossible to build a Russian bathhouse without a stove. It not only heats rooms. Stones are placed on it, which heat up to +600/700°.
In the steam room they are doused with water, decoctions, infusions, and beer to create steam. The second indispensable attribute of the Russian version of the bathhouse is a broom, with which those steaming are whipped to create a kind of massage effect.
- Turkish bath
The prototype of the Turkish steam room “hammam” was the “therms” of the Romans. In a classic hammam, the first room is a dressing room with a domed ceiling, then there is quite a large room rest, and then there are the steam rooms themselves.
Traditional device Turkish bath suggests that there should be several of them - with different temperature regimes - from +40 to +70°. The Turkish analogue of the Russian broom is a real massage, which is done on stone benches.
For a steamy effect in the hammam, a large cauldron of water is used, located on the stove. When the boiler gets very hot, steam begins to escape through small holes in it, filling all the rooms of the bathhouse. Now such boilers are increasingly being replaced by modern steam generators.
In addition, the source of steam is the installation of heated floors in the bathhouse, which are watered with water.
- Japanese bath
Ofuro is a small pool, rather, even a large one wooden barrel. The water in it is heated to +35-40°, and the temperature in the room where it stands is +40-50°. During procedures in ofuro, the water temperature and immersion depth are regularly changed. Decoctions of medicinal herbs are often added to water.
The Japanese also have a dry version of the bath - special sawdust is poured into a heated barrel, usually cedar - they are the most fragrant. They are heated in a barrel to +50°, after which they should be immersed in it for several minutes. Often sawdust is additionally impregnated aromatic oils. With this option, it is necessary to install a shower in the bathhouse.
- Finnish sauna
In our country, dry heat baths are considered “Finnish saunas”. But in fact, a traditional sauna is similar to a Russian bathhouse. It also creates steam by pouring water over heated stones. Their main difference is the arrangement of a steam room in the bathhouse. The humidity level of this room in the sauna is no higher than 10-15%. In our bath – 40-90%.
The appearance, layouts and construction technologies of saunas are almost the same as our steam room. They may have various sizes, but are usually designed for 2-10 visitors. Required condition structures - the sauna should be made of wood.
In modern steam rooms it is possible to set any temperature and humidity parameters. But most often the temperature in them is 80-110°.
- Infrared sauna
The most modern and high-tech type is the infrared sauna. The internal structure of the bathhouse is very interesting - it is heated using special equipment that generates infrared radiation. Here are some tips for visiting it.
Advice from the master!
For procedures in such a bathhouse, you must take two towels with you. One will cover the bench, as it gets very hot, and the other will be used to wipe away the sweat. It has strong resistance to infrared radiation and interferes with the procedure.
It is better to visit an infrared sauna after you have taken hot shower, thanks to this preparation, your sweat production will increase. To achieve an even greater effect from the session, it is recommended to drink a liter of mineral water half an hour before it.
First, set the temperature in the cabin no higher than +45°.
Before visiting such saunas, it is imperative to consult a doctor, since infrared rays are not beneficial for everyone.
Nowadays there are often cases when different types baths are combined - the design of a Russian bath is complemented by certain characteristic features other types.
The construction of a room for a steam room is only part of the entire complex of work on organizing a Russian bath. A properly equipped steam room is the key to quality relaxation and safe bathing procedures. A DIY steam room will allow you to save significant money and give you the opportunity to show your individuality.
Step-by-step instructions for setting up a steam room
Arranging a steam room with your own hands involves performing a certain sequence of operations:
- Project development.
- Choosing a stove and its location.
- Decoration of the premises.
- Organization of lighting.
Let's move on to a detailed consideration of each of the stages.
The height of the ceilings is determined by the purpose of the person being in the steam room
Steam room project: basic principles
Before starting work on arranging a steam room, it is necessary to create a project that provides for all the subtleties of this specific room, taking into account age-old traditions and the realities of the present time.
Design should be carried out depending on the main factors: the size of the stove and the number of people simultaneously staying in the room.
For a family of three people, an area of approximately 2x2 meters with a steam room height of 2.2 m is sufficient. There is a misconception that positive thing in this case there will be some extra space. This is not true, since with an increase in the volume of the steam room, more energy and time will be required to achieve the required temperature.
It is better to make the window small As a rule, when constructing a steam room, windows are not provided. If necessary, the window should, if possible, be minimum size(no more than 500x500 mm). To create sufficient thermal insulation, it is advisable to manufacture windows using modern technologies that allow achieving the required effect. In addition, the arrangement of the window will require careful insulation of the cracks during its installation.
The steam room must be equipped with ventilation. The exhaust system must ensure removal from the room excess moisture. This requirement is due to the need to eliminate favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic microorganisms in the form of fungi and mold.
In addition, the service life of finishing materials directly depends on the level of humidity in the room, since in the vast majority of cases the steam room is finished with wood. Humidity within acceptable limits has a beneficial effect on human health.
Features of arranging a steam room
When building a steam room with your own hands, you must adhere to the following recommendations.
Selection of oven
The main parameters on which the operation of the device depends are: the number of stones and the duration of their heating, the heat resistance of the body, the grate material, the power consumption of the unit and its design. To provide heat, in addition to the steam room, to adjacent rooms with a total area of 22 square meters, a power of 24 kW is sufficient. Making a stove with your own hands will reduce the cost of arranging a bathhouse.
Choosing a stove is an important matter Floor covering
The best solution for flooring materials would be to use porcelain tiles or natural stone. For safe movement, a boardwalk is laid. Thermal insulation of the floor is not necessary. In this case, one of the requirements for the floor is the installation of a hole for draining water. Wood as a flooring material is not the best option, since high humidity will lead to its deformation and rapid failure.
Ceiling
For a ceiling, a sufficient height is 2.2 m, which is due to the physical properties of steam and human physiology. If the ceiling height exceeds the specified value, will the steam rise? and the effect of its influence will be lost. Reducing the height will lead to discomfort during bath procedures, as there will be a risk of head injury and difficulties will arise when working with a broom.
Windows and doors
Window organization is not a requirement.
Wood or glass are the best material options for making doors. If a wooden door is tradition, then glass is practical.
Selecting a steam source and determining a location for the furnace
An important factor when choosing a stove is the method of generating steam, the energy source and the size of the steam room.
Kamenka is classic solution when choosing a stove for a Russian bath. Stones are placed inside it.
The traditional fuel is wood, but both electricity and gas can be used.
There are several types of ovens.
Wood burning
Installing such a stove will provide a unique atmosphere in the bathhouse. Even the fact that such a device requires periodic cleaning of soot from the stones cannot spoil the pleasure of taking a bath procedure. To reduce the formation of soot, aspen wood should be used as fuel. To maintain a stable temperature, it is necessary to constantly monitor the combustion process.
Steam room with wood stove Electric
The electric heater is very easy to use. Such an electrical appliance is compact, has sufficient power and allows you to quickly reach the required temperature. Its device does not require the organization of a chimney.
The electric heater is safe for the environment and humans, its maintenance is simplified as much as possible due to the use of automation, and its design features eliminate the possibility of injury.
The main disadvantage of the device is its significant energy consumption.
Electric heater Gas
The use of a gas furnace is characterized by ease of operation, high speed heating and maintaining the set temperature in the steam room.
A significant disadvantage of this device is the dimensions of the furnace and the significant need of the device for gas. The use of a furnace of this type is impractical if there is no connection to the gas main. 
Types of heaters
The stove can be open or closed.
There are different types of heaters In the case when several people plan to take bath procedures, the best choice would be open type heaters. The firebox (the place where the fuel is burned) does not have fireproof masonry. It serves as a place for laying stones. This arrangement of the stove allows you to heat all the rooms of the bathhouse and allow the stones to heat up.
When exposed to water, heaters with such a device quickly lose temperature. This design is used in furnaces with electric heating.
A closed heater is a traditional way of constructing a Russian bath. At the same time, a large number of stones are located in a specially designated area of the furnace. In this case, the steam exits through a special door, the level of which is located opposite the stones of the first row. This door must remain closed during fuel combustion. To warm up the steam room, open it in advance.
Finishing the steam room: main stages
Which material to choose?
The choice of material is an important stage in the production of finishing a steam room.
There are no small details in the steam room device Despite its availability, pine is not a suitable material for this room. This type of wood contains resins, which under the influence of high temperature are released onto the surface of the material.
The most suitable material in this case may be linden. The characteristics of this type of wood do not allow burns and allow you to preserve appearance finishes remain unchanged for a long time.
The possibility of using aspen, birch, or poplar is not excluded. Deciduous trees dry out quickly, thereby creating a specific microclimate in the steam room, and are durable.
The use of wood and linoleum slabs for finishing the bathhouse is strictly prohibited. In addition to the fact that these materials are a fire hazard, at high temperatures and humidity they become unsafe for human health.
How to insulate the ceiling and walls?
An important condition when installing a steam room is to create a sealed room. For this purpose, mineral-based insulation is used, which is insulated from steam using aluminum foil.
To connect its edges, a special adhesive tape. High temperatures do not allow the use of film in this case due to its deformation. Exterior decoration should include the organization of closable ventilation holes.
Insulation To finish the ceiling, planed boards with a thickness of 20-30 mm are used. They are fastened to the beams using nails, which should have a length three times the thickness of the board. You can improve ventilation by rounding the corners of the boards and leaving a small gap between them.
Pair clapboard finishing
It should be noted that lining has become very popular as a finishing material for bathhouses. The properties of this material make it possible to create the required thermal insulation and finish the surface of the walls, making them attractive. In addition, the good breathability of the material does not create conditions for the formation of condensation, fungi and mold.
Before installing the lining in the steam room, it is left in it for some time so that the material adapts to the microclimate conditions of the room.
If there are significant defects on the wall surface, they should be eliminated so that the material does not lie in waves. Fastening occurs using staples or screws. It is necessary to take into account the fact that in most cases it is not possible to achieve an ideal wall surface without constructing sheathing.
Lining When choosing fasteners, you should take into account their operating conditions. Their material must withstand high humidity and temperature, and also prevent the possibility of injury to a person.
How is the floor finished in a steam room?
The process of finishing a bathhouse begins with organizing the floor. It is recommended to raise it 150-200 mm above the floor level in other rooms. This allows you to maintain heat in the steam room due to the absence of drafts.
Shunted plank flooring The best material to use is tiles, tongue and groove or edged board. The level of safety of moving indoors and its comfort will depend on the choice made.
Flooring from boards is made on logs, which are placed on brick pillars. The base is sand or concrete. For installation, galvanized, bronze, brass or stainless steel fasteners are used.
Specific conditions in the room determine a number of requirements for the organization of lighting in it:
- The lampshade must be made of heat-resistant and moisture-resistant material;
- to create diffused lighting, it is better to use matte lampshades;
- lamps should not be placed on the ceiling;
- lampshades must be reinforced;
- The maximum lamp power should be 60 W.
Lighting will create an atmosphere of mystery Steam room design: ideas
The structure of the steam room is not very diverse and has a traditional interior, consisting of a stove-heater and multi-level benches.
The layout of the shelves should be consistent with existing preferences and satisfy different needs. When using the space zoning method, you can line the stove with stone and make the benches out of wood.
Modern design solution is the arrangement of windows when finishing a steam room. Through them you can contemplate the surrounding landscape.
A selection of video and photographic materials will give a more detailed idea of the possible design options for the steam room
The steam room with a huge window provides an overview of the site. There is hope that the glass is tinted and from the outside it is not visible what is happening inside.
When decorating the steam room, you can combine materials.
The main functional room of any bathhouse is the steam room. Its proper arrangement determines the quality and safety of the health procedures performed, as well as the popularity and demand for the bathhouse.
To reduce the cost of building a steam room, many bathhouse owners perform all the work themselves, without involving third-party specialists.
In this case, the structure of the steam room will be simple and concise - wooden shelves for relaxation and a heater for heating the room.
A steam room in a bathhouse built on its own requires the development of an affordable and high-quality project.
Design Issues
The key element of the steam room is the heater (firebox). When building a steam room, it is recommended to take into account the dimensions of the stove, as well as the number of visitors to visit the steam room at the same time.
What should a steam room in a bathhouse be like, designed for a specific number of visitors? So that vacationers do not experience discomfort and at the same time there is no unused space in the room, which should be heated more, the steam room must have certain dimensions.
Room dimensions
To reduce high humidity, as well as prevent, the steam room in the bathhouse must have reliable system exhaust ventilation. carried out at the construction stage of the bathhouse.
The ventilation system is provided for the timely removal of excess moisture and supply clean air from outside. Experts recommend installing a modern supply and exhaust ventilation system with built-in air ducts.
In this case, the supply channel should be located near the firebox in the lower part of the room. The hood is installed on the opposite wall at the top, almost under the ceiling. The diameter of the exhaust duct should be twice the diameter of the supply duct. Air flow is regulated by built-in valves.
To develop a project for a future bathhouse, you can contact an architectural bureau or private designers.
A ready-made steam room with your own hands and step-by-step instructions for its construction are aimed at novice craftsmen.
Preparation of tools and materials
The construction of any type of steam room requires the preparation of a special opening for supply and exhaust ventilation. The ventilation duct is equipped with flexible aluminum corrugation.
To build a steam room in a bathhouse with your own hands, you should prepare the necessary tools and materials:
- Bars measuring 5x5 cm;
- Insulation (mineral wool, ecological wool, basalt);
- Waterproofing material;
- Vapor barrier material;
- Sealant, silicone;
- Aluminum tape;
- Level, construction stapler with staples;
- Hammer, nails with wide heads.
Internal insulation
All work is carried out in stages in accordance with finished project and begin with insulating the building. High-quality insulation prevents heat loss and reduces fuel consumption for heating the room. First, the ceiling is insulated, then the walls and floor base.
- The surfaces to be treated are cleaned of dust, dirt and debris, and a sheathing of 5x5 cm bars is installed. The correct installation is checked by the building level.
- Top to built wooden frame waterproofing material is laid.
- The selected insulation is installed on the finished waterproofing. It is recommended to use a double layer of insulation for the ceiling surface, and a single layer for walls.
- Next, a single layer of vapor barrier is installed. An ordinary one, which is attached to wooden sheathing using metal staples and a stapler. All joints are carefully taped with aluminum-based tape.
- On the walls, on the installed sheathing with insulation and vapor barrier, another sheathing is attached for installation decorative covering- wooden lining. Porcelain stoneware or ceramic tiles can be used as floor cladding.
- At the final stage, all cracks, joints and gaps are sealed with sealant or silicone.
Installation of oven and shelves
The next stage of arranging a steam room is installing a firebox. The stove in the steam room is mounted or built in the nearest corner from the front door. Subject to fire safety regulations optimal distance between the firebox and the walls should be at least 33 cm.
Bake
Modern steam rooms provide for the use various types furnaces - metal, brick, soapstone and electric. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
- Metal stoves heat up and cool down quickly, and also require a protective casing.
- Brick heaters take longer to heat up, but cool down more slowly, as a result of which they accumulate heat more efficiently and produce clean steam.
- Soapstone (soapstone) – modern look heaters, the distinctive characteristics of which are high wear resistance and cost-effectiveness of the material. They warm the room slowly and evenly, releasing soft and comfortable heat.
- Electric stoves do not require a chimney and are easy and accessible to control from a distance.
If metal and electric heaters can be purchased at any specialized store, then brick and stone fireboxes will have to be made with your own hands.
shelves
To steam in a sauna with comfort and convenience, you need to do it correctly. It is recommended to use high-quality dry lumber that does not release resins and is resistant to heat.
For making boards you can choose wooden slats, made from aspen or oak. The slats are securely connected to each other with a small gap for the air duct and water outlet. The number and size of shelves are determined by the dimensions of the steam room, as well as the number of visitors for which it is designed.
The optimal size of the shelves is 65x180 cm. In order to save space, it is recommended to mount the shelves against the wall on horizontal bars fixed to the sheathing. In addition, under the shelves you can install related ones - ladles, buckets, watering cans, etc.
Most projects do not provide for paired rooms natural light, so you simply can’t do without additional light sources. will create a favorable atmosphere and ensure comfortable bathing procedures.
A classic DIY steam room provides for a sufficient number of light sources to create twilight, conducive to relaxation.
The location of bath lamps should not interfere with the procedures, and the light should not tire the eyes. The best option– placement of one large overhead lamp above the door, small built-in lamps above the shelves.
Today you can purchase lamps and lamps for the steam room, made with decorative lampshades made of wood or glass. They can be overhead or built-in.
The main thing is to adhere to fire safety rules when installing lamps - insulate conductive wires and light bulbs. To do this, the light bulbs are placed in special metal housings of a hermetically sealed design, and the wires are placed in plastic boxes that are resistant to overheating. The switch is mounted outside the steam room.
That's all the subtleties of how to make a steam room in modern bath with your own hands - to do this, it is enough to purchase a heater, insulate and decorate the room, install bath furniture and the steam room is ready for use.
And if during its arrangement all the rules and recommendations were followed, then the heat and steam produced will have a powerful beneficial effect on the human body.
The quality of your relaxation will depend on how well the steam room is set up (with your own hands or with the hands of hired workers). The steam room is the basis, the heart of the bath, the work of which will affect the efficiency and viability of the steam room as a whole.
DIY steam room: arrangement concept.
The steam room should be arranged so that it is comfortable to stay in it. Therefore, before starting the construction process, it is necessary to draw up a project, a diagram of how everything will be located and on what area. The size of the steam room is influenced by two factors: the size of the stove and the number of people. U various ovens different requirements for operating conditions: distance from shelves, ventilation system, room dimensions.
Based on the number of people who can steam at the same time, you can determine the area of the steam room. It is necessary to calculate the area so that it is comfortable for people to be inside without crowding each other:
For example, the area of a steam room for a family (2-3 people) is calculated as follows: the width is calculated based on the height of the tallest member of the family, so that a person can lie comfortably on the shelf, the minimum length in this case is 1.8 meters, the height of the ceilings You should not do less than 2.3 meters. We get the optimal dimensions: 2.0 x 1.8 x 2.3 meters.
You should also not leave extra space - this is an uneconomical use of heat and energy. There are, so to speak, standard sizes that have been tested in practice: ceilings with a height of 2.2 meters are made for an area of 2x2.4 meters.
Windows in a steam room are an extra element. Their presence is not necessary, but if for some reason a window still needs to be made, it is better to make the hole minimal, maximum 500x500 mm. The best choice for high-quality thermal insulation would be modern double glazing. In this case the window will be additional source light and ventilation, but more careful insulation of the steam room and all near-window joints will be required.
Ventilation in the steam room is mandatory, and a window alone cannot solve the problem. This should be an established, well-designed exhaust system. The importance of ventilation is due to high humidity air in a given room, which without proper air exchange can cause mold and various fungi to appear. Moisture has a bad effect on building materials, including wood, which is often used to decorate a steam room. Proper ventilation will ensure a healthy and comfortable steam room microclimate.
Steam room and its components: everything needs to be taken into account.
The process during which a steam room is built with your own hands requires certain knowledge about building materials and the operating principles of the bathhouse itself. The creation of the necessary steam will depend directly on the arrangement of the room: how and with what materials the steam room was built, insulated and finished. It is necessary to take into account all elements: stove, floor, ceiling, shelves, window and doorways, lighting, ventilation.
- The stove is selected based on its performance characteristics: heat resistance of steel, quantity and degree of heating of stones, volume of the firebox, material for the grate (grid in the firebox), mobility of the ash pan (ash pan) and appearance. The required power should be calculated:
For example, for a steam room with an area of 22 m2, the required heating consumption is 4 kW. We should take into account the heating of the stove itself, the stones and the water tank and we will get a consumption three times higher - 12 kW, if there is no need to heat adjacent rooms and the steam room is reliably insulated. Otherwise, 12x2 = 24 kW will come out.
- Knowing the required power, the area of the steam room and the fuel you have available, you select a stove. You can also build a sauna stove with your own hands.
- The floor in the steam room is best made of tiles (ceramics, porcelain stoneware, a natural stone), and put a wooden ladder on top. Insulation of the floor in the steam room is an optional condition, and a hole for water drainage will be a useful element.
You should not make the floor wooden; there is too much moisture in the steam room, which will lead to deformation and mold.
- You should build the ceiling in the steam room yourself correctly. The height should be 2.2–2.3 meters. These numbers are due to the vaping process. If you do it lower, you will cling to the ceiling with a broom, and if you do it higher, all the steam will go up, and the whole process will be disrupted. Ceilings must be insulated.
- The shelves must be built so that it is comfortable to lie on. The length of the shelf is slightly larger than a person’s height - 2–2.3 meters; the width of 0.6–0.7 meters will be sufficient. Shelves can be made in two levels, more is not necessary. The bottom shelf should be made narrower than the top so that the steamer has access to the person on the top shelf.
- If you can do without a window, then there will be a door anyway. The door can be glass or wood. Wooden is cheaper, but less practical. Glass is not susceptible to moisture, so it will be the best choice, although it costs a little more.
- The light should be pleasing to the eyes. The steam room requires good, uniform lighting. For wiring, it is better to use heat-resistant wire.
- Ventilation is carried out in the form of supply and exhaust openings. The exhaust vent is located under the ceiling, and the supply vent is located under the stove, in the opposite corner. To control ventilation, a valve is installed on the exhaust opening. The ventilation duct is usually made of aluminum corrugated pipe.
What you need to know before you start insulating a steam room with your own hands.
Insulation of the steam room begins from the ceiling, then the walls and floor are thermally insulated. The insulation of the bathhouse in general and the steam room in particular is carried out in three layers. The so-called “pie” will consist of waterproofing, thermal insulation and vapor barrier. Waterproofing protects the structure from moisture and mold formation, thermal insulation preserves heat in the room and prevents cold from entering from the outside, vapor barrier is a heat reflector and a protective layer for insulation.
Step-by-step insulation of the steam room:
- Selection of materials. When choosing materials, it is necessary to take into account their safety in high temperature conditions. Among the thermal insulators, basalt fiber, mineral and stone wool, ecowool, and fiberboard have such properties. For vapor barrier, foil materials would be an excellent option: aluminum foil, foil basalt, foil Penother.
- Preparation of working surfaces. Removing dirt, mold, etc.
- All surfaces are covered with waterproofing. As a layer of waterproofing, you can use foil or plastic film. In addition, you can paint the walls with polymer-bitumen mastics; they are resistant to high temperatures.
- Installation of thermal insulation begins with attaching lathing made of wooden blocks (for ceilings 100x100mm, for walls 50x50mm). The sheathing must be treated with a special antiseptic for wood. A good option insulation will be mineral wool, reed and fiberboard boards. The material must be fire-resistant and not emit harmful substances when heated. The insulation on the ceiling will take twice as much, since its surface needs more careful insulation, because all the steam tends upward.
- The insulation is covered with a vapor barrier. The vapor barrier layer can be aluminum foil or foil vapor barrier. This material protects the insulation well from hot and humid air. And as a bonus, it reflects heat back into the steam room. This creates a kind of thermos effect, which helps maintain heat in the steam room for a long time. The thickness of the foil must be at least 65 microns, otherwise it will tear.
- The foil is attached to the sheathing with a construction stapler or nails. There should be no gaps between the foil leaves, so all joints must be sealed with vapor barrier tape.
- Another frame is placed on top of the foil, which is intended for sheathing, for example with clapboard. The lining is sewn vertically if the timber is stuffed horizontally, and vice versa, it is sewn horizontally if the timber is stuffed vertically. The lining can be alternated with other finishing materials.
- All joints should be carefully sealed with all layers of the “pie”. There should be no holes left where moisture can get in, and condensation should not be allowed to form.
Insulating a steam room with your own hands is a solvable task. You should approach the choice of materials wisely - and half the battle is done. Most importantly, do not forget that safety comes first. All selected materials must be fire-resistant and environmentally friendly. If there is a wood-burning stove in the bathhouse, it should be no closer than 40–50 cm to wooden elements. If the stove is an electric heater, no closer than 20–40 cm. Fire safety rules have not yet been canceled.
