Many people have thought about creating a small, cozy bathhouse on their own summer cottage. With its help, you can take quality water treatments and recharge your batteries, as well as relieve stress.
But at the stage of design and installation of structures, most face serious problems. One of the most common ones is choosing the right material for construction.
To help you understand, we will consider this issue in detail, and also identify the main advantages and disadvantages of all kinds of construction solutions when building a bathhouse.
Basic requirements for a country bath
The arrangement of a bathhouse, like other structures, requires compliance with general architectural standards and building regulations. However, our case is complicated by the need to comply with the construction general rules fire safety.
Did you know?The bathhouse's roots go back to the 6th millennium BC. e. During this period in Ancient Egypt Special steam rooms are appearing everywhere, accessible to all segments of the population.
So, in order to arrange a bathhouse at your summer cottage correctly, you must comply with the following requirements:
- Compliance with architectural standards: The best place for a bathhouse is the area that is as far away from all kinds of structures as possible. However, in modern conditions achieve complete absence building structures It won't be easy near the bathhouse. Therefore, such a structure must be at a distance of no less than 8 meters from a residential building, no closer than 8 meters to the neighboring plot and no less than 12 meters from the well. In addition, the site for construction must be leveled relative to the entire site, since on a hill the bathhouse will have too much visibility, and in the lowlands it will suffer from spring flooding every year.
- Compliance sanitary standards: the structure must be equipped with ventilation and also be equipped with a water drainage system. Otherwise, this will lead to stagnation of air and moisture, and with this, to the development of fungus and other pathogens.
- Compliance with fire safety standards: all parts of the structure that are subject to heating must be made of non-combustible materials. The part of the building in which the heating furnace is installed must be additionally protected with insulating materials that prevent the structure from igniting.
- Environmental friendliness of the building material: A bathhouse is a place with high temperature and humidity, so the materials for its construction should be made from natural and non-toxic components to the maximum, without adding any synthetic compounds.
Video: fire requirements for a bathhouse
Important!If the proximity to the neighboring plot does not allow the construction of a bathhouse, the distance of the structure to it can be reduced to 1 meter, but this must be agreed upon with the neighbors, and their permission must be certified in writing by lawyers.
Advantages and disadvantages of a wooden bath
Most often, a bathhouse is constructed of wood. Wood is quite easy to process, so you can use it to create almost any part of the structure, both load-bearing elements and cladding.
Such structures are characterized by strength, and their shrinkage on the ground occurs evenly, without the occurrence of cracks and breaks. In addition, wood is resistant to fluctuations in moisture and temperature, and also has high thermal insulation qualities, which makes this material almost ideal.
However, it also has many disadvantages, first of all these:
- fragility;
- wooden baths require particularly careful compliance with fire safety standards;
- shrinkage continues for a long time and can be more than 10 cm;
- A wooden bathhouse needs at least 2 years to dry thoroughly;
- after drying wooden structures definitely needs to be caulked.
Did you know?Finland is the leader in the number of steam rooms per capita. In a country with a population of about 5 million, there are more than 2 million of them.
This is the most common wood in construction, so it is not surprising that bathhouses are often built from this material. 
Pine has many advantages:
- wood grows in almost any conditions, so it is one of the cheapest and most common materials;
- pine has a smooth and even trunk, which makes it easier to process;
- this wood is light but durable and rarely cracks, so such structures are reliable and shrink slightly;
- Pine contains a huge amount of aromatic resins, so water procedures in such baths are especially beneficial for general human health.
Pine has few disadvantages, but they still exist. First of all, this is an increased release of resin from the wood, so often in such baths the resin from the walls will have to be cleaned over the next few years.
Also, pine is not resistant to all kinds of atmospheric conditions, fungi and insects, so such a tree requires additional processing costs protective equipment.
Spruce
Baths made of no less quality than those made of pine, however, are less common. Like the conifer described above, spruce is also quite easy to process, practical and has a low price.
In addition, this material, like pine, is enriched with many resinous compounds that can saturate the bathhouse with aromas beneficial to the respiratory system.
However, structures made of spruce are rarely found in our open spaces, since, in addition to the disadvantages described above, this coniferous species is less resistant to various atmospheric conditions and fungi, and also shrinks more than pine. Therefore, such structures not only require constant treatment with protective agents, but are also short-lived. 
Cedar
They are not found in every region, so bathhouses from this wood are built exclusively in Siberia and the Urals. This material has the same positive qualities as those described above. conifers, however, has a number of advantages.
First of all, this is a more aesthetic appearance of the structure. Cedar wood has a pinkish-red center and a golden-pink tint to the outer layers, this gives the bathhouse a more interesting look.
In addition, cedar is highly resistant to all kinds of fungi and other microorganisms, as well as to conditions of high humidity, so such structures are more durable and less expensive to maintain than pine or spruce.
The main disadvantages of this wood are:
- excessive release of resin during the first few years after construction;
- high cost of material.
Larch
It is a rather rare species, so this tree is rarely found as a building material. But, despite this, relative to its coniferous counterparts, this wood has a number of advantages:
The main disadvantage of larch is its high price, so bathhouses made of this tree can only be found in areas of massive tree plantings. In addition, this wood has an excessively dense structure and is not easy to process. 
Oak
It is rightfully considered a unique material. This wood has a noble shade and cut pattern, is highly durable, resistant to moisture, temperature, fungus and rot for decades.
However, this material is not considered the easiest to process, as it has an overly dense structure. In addition, oak is a rather weighty material, so such structures experience serious shrinkage. We should not forget about the high cost of oak, so such a bathhouse is only possible if there is an unlimited budget for its construction. 
Aspen
A less popular material for construction, since the price-quality ratio of this wood is inferior to the above varieties of wood. It is not easy to create a building from aspen; each individual tree has its own size and shape, so structures made from this wood are possible only after careful processing.
We should not forget that aspen is not resistant to various atmospheric conditions and pests, so the tree will darken in a few years, and the building itself will become unusable within a few decades. But aspen also has its advantages: the tree perfectly absorbs varnishes and paints, so such a building can be given external aesthetics without even having special skills.
Did you know?In Ancient Rus', aspen was the most common material for building baths, since only the nobility could afford coniferous wood as a building material.
Blocks for building a bathhouse
Block buildings are an excellent and inexpensive alternative to wood for arranging a steam room on own plot. This material makes it possible to quickly create a durable structure that will last for many years. In addition, all kinds of structures made from blocks are particularly easy to create, as well as maintain, which is why they are gaining more and more popularity every year.
The main advantages of blocks:- cheapness. Structures made from even the most expensive types of blocks are much cheaper than structures made from any other material;
- low weight of structures, which contributes to minimal shrinkage of the entire structure;
- ease and speed of installation, so steam rooms from blocks can be created with your own hands, without specialized knowledge.
But this material also has its drawbacks. First of all, this:
- insufficient resistance to high humidity and sudden temperature changes, which reduces the durability of the blocks significantly;
- the material does not have low thermal conductivity, so such structures must be insulated;
- buildings made of blocks require a solid foundation, at least 70 cm deep (in the northern regions - at least 1 meter);
- both internal and external walls of such a room require mandatory finishing.
Aerated concrete is cellular concrete material, made of cement, quartz sand and special foaming agents. The dry components of aerated concrete are thoroughly mixed, and then poured into special molds and water is added.
Under its influence there is an active chemical reaction, as a result of which the necessary structure of the material is created. To improve strength, some brands of aerated blocks are treated with steam in special autoclave machines.
Today there are a large number of types of aerated concrete on the market, differing both in their quality and conditions of use. The best option for a bathhouse would be D500 brand blocks. They have the necessary strength to create durable one-story structures. 
This material has many advantages: ease of installation, light weight, strength, high fire safety. But there are also no less disadvantages: significant hygroscopicity, a fairly high price (relative to other types of building blocks), the need for a special expensive glue for laying blocks.
Important!When choosing aerated concrete, preference should be given to material that has been pre-treated with high steam in autoclaves, since only in this case will the blocks have the necessary strength and moisture resistance.
Basic specifications aerated concrete:
- strength, kg/cm2 - 5-20;
- thermal conductivity, W/(m K) - 0.15-0.3;
- volumetric weight, kg/m3 - 200-600;
- frost resistance (number of cycles) - 50-75;
- shrinkage, mm/m - 1.5;
- water absorption,% - 45.
Gas silicate
Gas silicate can be called a more profitable analogue of aerated concrete. This material is made according to the same principle as the previous one, but it contains quartz sand and a small amount of lime as a binder.
Unlike aerated concrete, in order to obtain high-quality gas silicate, the blocks must be treated with high-pressure steam. The material has the same advantages and disadvantages as aerated concrete, but with technical point vision loses to him.
Since gas silicate contains lime, this block quickly absorbs moisture and quickly collapses under its influence. Therefore, such surfaces require careful waterproofing and all the associated additional costs. 
Main technical characteristics of gas silicate:
- strength, kg/cm2 - 28-40;
- thermal conductivity, W/(m K) - 0.1-0.2;
- volumetric weight, kg/m3 - 480-720;
- shrinkage, mm/m - 0.3;
- water absorption,% - 47.
Enough inexpensive option cellular concrete are foam blocks. They are made from a mixture of sand, cement and water, which are additionally enriched with foam from a special generator.
To build a steam room, it is best to choose material grade D 600 or higher, since less durable foam concrete is used exclusively as insulation. Foam concrete is quite seriously inferior to the aerated concrete or gas silicate described above in terms of technical characteristics, but their main advantage will be the price. 
Main technical characteristics of foam concrete:
- strength, kg/cm2 - 10-50;
- thermal conductivity, W/(m K) - 0.2-0.4;
- volumetric weight, kg/m3 - 450-900;
- frost resistance (number of cycles) - up to 25;
- shrinkage, mm/m - 0.6-1.2;
- water absorption,% - 52.
Cinder block is a building material made from cement mortars, as well as slag - waste from coal production and other industries. This is a fairly cheap material, since its production often has one goal - to utilize slag formations to the maximum.
However, cinder block is not the best choice for building a bathhouse. Such blocks absorb moisture quickly and for a long time, and are also not very durable, especially in conditions of high humidity. 
Even with high-quality insulation, such a bathhouse will function for no more than 15-20 years, after which it will require serious repairs.
Important!It is strictly forbidden to use cinder block as a building material immediately after production, since the slag releases various toxic substances for quite a long time. Therefore, before use, it must be left to rest outdoors at least 1 year.
Sawdust can also be used as the main component in the production of cinder blocks, in which case it is possible to obtain not only a cheap, but also environmentally friendly material. To create one-story structures, you will need a material grade of at least M 75, since less durable options are used exclusively as facade insulation.
Main technical characteristics of cinder block:
- strength, kg/cm2 - 25-75;
- thermal conductivity, W/(m K) - 0.3-0.5;
- volumetric weight, kg/m3 - 500-1000;
- frost resistance (number of cycles) - up to 20;
- shrinkage, mm/m - 0;
- water absorption,% - 55.
Expanded clay concrete blocks are an almost complete, but higher quality analogue of cinder blocks. This material is made from cement mixture, as well as expanded clay - fine clay fired under special conditions. Expanded clay blocks have a lot of advantages over other cellular blocks.
First of all, it is environmentally friendly, light weight, which almost completely eliminates the risk of shrinkage. In addition, this material has a low percentage of water absorption, as well as low thermal conductivity, which makes it practically ideal option to create a high-quality but inexpensive steam room.
However, to equip a bathhouse you will need blocks of the M100-M150 brand, since the less durable expanded clay concrete is used exclusively as facade insulation. Main technical characteristics of expanded clay concrete:
- strength, kg/cm2 - 50-150;
- thermal conductivity, W/(m K) - 0.15-0.45;
- volumetric weight, kg/m3 - 700-1500;
- frost resistance (number of cycles) - up to 50;
- shrinkage, mm/m - 0;
- vapor absorption,% - 12.
Ceramic block is not such a common material in modern construction than the above, but can often be seen budget sauna exactly from it. Ceramic blocks are quite environmentally friendly, since they contain only cement, sand, ceramic powder and water.
Like the materials described above, such blocks are characterized by their low cost, ease of installation, low weight, and durability. The main disadvantage of the material is its higher thermal conductivity. 
In addition, you should not forget about the fragility of the material, so when installing a bathhouse made of ceramic blocks, be sure that the calculated amount of material will have to be increased by at least 5%. That is why you should not skimp on the quality of this product; the brand should be no lower than M100.
Main technical characteristics of ceramic block:
- strength, kg/cm2 - 25-175;
- thermal conductivity, W/(m K) - 0.08-0.18;
- volumetric weight, kg/m3 - 650-1000;
- frost resistance (number of cycles) - more than 50;
- shrinkage, mm/m - 0.3;
- water absorption,% - 10-15.
Important!Block structures provide additional reinforcement for the masonry metal mesh every 2-3 rows, otherwise the durability of the structure is reduced significantly. This feature must be taken into account when creating an estimate.
Brick bath is one of the best alternatives to arranging a steam room at home. 
Using brick, you can create a reliable and high-quality structure that will delight its owners for many decades. That is why an increasing number of lovers of life-giving steam prefer this material.
The main advantages of a brick steam room are:
- reliability and durability;
- low water absorption coefficient. This not only contributes to the durability of the structure, but also helps to resist the development of fungi and dangerous bacteria on the surface of the walls;
- versatility. Brick makes it possible to use it for almost any purpose: from erecting walls to arranging a stove;
- exclusivity. By using brickwork it is possible to create a structure of any architectural shape and size;
- simplicity. Brick is easy to use and maintain; in addition, it is quite aesthetic and does not require mandatory internal and exterior finishing;
- high fire safety. Even at critical temperatures, brick is not flammable, which makes it an ideal (from a fire safety point of view) material;
- environmental friendliness. The brick contains the maximum amount of natural ingredients.
- high price. Even the simplest brick structure will be noticeably more expensive than any wooden or block building;
- high thermal conductivity. This negatively affects fuel consumption, as well as the overall speed of heating the bath and achieving optimal temperatures.
Traditionally, red brick is used to build a bathhouse in modern construction practice. To build a steam room, several types are used: although they carry common task, they must be used exclusively for highly specialized purposes.
These are the so-called pipe, ceramic and refractory types. Next, we will consider in more detail the need and tasks of each of these materials. .
Important! A high-quality fired brick has a uniform shade throughout its entire volume, and when struck with a hammer, it characteristically “rings.” If these signs are absent, the material must be rejected.
Pipe (solid)
The purpose of the pipe brick is to remove gaseous waste resulting from the combustion of fuel during kindling. sauna stove. This is perhaps one of the few building materials, which is able to cope with such a task without being negatively affected by sudden temperature changes.
It is made from a special clay mixture subjected to semi-dry pressing. As a result, it is possible to obtain a product with high hygroscopicity, smooth surface and strict sizes. This helps create an ideal tightness for removing combustion derivatives.
Today there are many varieties of such bricks on the market, but the most suitable are exclusively solid pipe bricks. Despite the higher price relative to hollow, in conditions elevated temperatures The use of excessively porous materials is not recommended, as this may cause its destruction. 
However, the completeness of the material is not the key to a reliable chimney. At elevated temperatures, strength plays a role decisive role maintaining the integrity of the structure, therefore optimal choice there will be a brick no lower than grade M200.
Main technical characteristics of bricks for pipes:
- thermal conductivity, W/(m K) - 0.3-0.8;
- volumetric weight, kg/m3 - 1500 – 1900;
- heat resistance, °C - up to 1000;
- shrinkage,% - 5;
- water absorption,% - 10.
Ceramic (tube)
Ceramic pipe brick is a type hollow brick, which is used for the construction of buildings no higher than 2-3 floors. It is made from special clay solutions subjected to high-temperature heating in ovens at a temperature of about 1000 °C.
This building material is practically no different in composition from solid ceramic bricks and has the same advantages and disadvantages. 
The advantage of such bricks is their low cost. Each of the molds for the production of the material has small convexities, which creates artificial cavities in each brick, as a result of which a reduction in the amount of raw materials for production is achieved, and with this the final unit price.
In addition, the presence of cavities improves the thermal insulation capabilities of the product, so steam rooms made of hollow bricks heat up much faster than those made of solid bricks. This type of brick also has many disadvantages.
Did you know?The largest steam room is located in the German town of Sinsheim, its area is 160 square meters. meters.
First of all, it is low strength, as well as the ability to collapse under the influence of high moisture. This leads to increased costs for high-quality finishing and vapor barrier of the material, otherwise the durability of the structure is reduced significantly. The optimal type of hollow ceramic brick for building a bathhouse will be a grade of at least M200. 
Main technical characteristics of ceramic hollow bricks:
- strength, kg/cm2 - 75-300;
- thermal conductivity, W/(m K) - 0.2-0.5;
- volumetric weight, kg/m3 - 1300 – 1500;
- frost resistance (number of cycles) - more than 75;
- heat resistance, °C - up to 1000;
- shrinkage,% - 5;
- water absorption,% - 10.
Did you know?In the old days, in order to determine the quality of a brick, wooden pallet 600 bricks were laid, after which the pallet was raised to a height of about 2 meters, and then abruptly dropped to the ground. If even one broke, the whole batch was rejected.
Fireproof (fireclay)
Refractory or fireclay brick is used for both stone and wooden baths as the basis for making a stove. This is the only building material that can withstand direct exposure to fire. 
It is made from a mixture of special refractory clay and various additives (coke, graphite powders, large quartz grains, etc.), fired at a temperature of 1300...1500 °C. This makes it possible to obtain a material that is resistant to sudden temperature changes and durable.
On modern market There are a lot of different types of fireclay bricks (Sha, ShB, ShAK, ShUS, ShV, PV and PB). For the construction of a home steam room, the most profitable materials will be ShB-5 and ShB-8. This is the so-called class B fireclay brick, capable of withstanding a maximum temperature of 1400 °C.
These are one of the cheapest types of refractory bricks, but despite this, this choice will be an ideal option in terms of price and quality.
Main technical characteristics of refractory bricks:
- strength, kg/cm2 - 100-150;
- thermal conductivity, W/(m K) - 0.6-0.9;
- volumetric weight, kg/m3 - 1800-2000;
- frost resistance (number of cycles) - up to 50;
- heat resistance, °C - up to 1500;
- shrinkage,% - 5;
- water absorption,% - 5-8.
Important!For laying fireclay bricks, heat-resistant mixtures or refractory clay are used. Simple cement mortars under the influence of high temperatures they instantly crack and collapse
Stone bath: pros and cons
Stone in construction is the best option for those regions where acquiring wood is not so easy. Besides stone bath it looks impressive and unusual, which will definitely help you create a truly unique steam room.
The stone has a lot of advantages, first of all, these are:
- low price;
- general availability;
- high fire safety;
- durability;
- low shrinkage rate.
These include:
- technological complexity. Due to the uneven size of the stones, it is much more difficult to create a building of the correct shape than from brick or wood;
- high cost. Even the most expensive wooden bath will be much cheaper than a stone one, since such a steam room requires a large amount of related materials;
- high thermal conductivity. Stone is difficult to retain heat, so for high-quality ignition of a bath, an order of magnitude more fuel is required than for steam rooms made of other materials;
- low gas permeability. A stone bath requires a high-quality ventilation system to avoid air stagnation;
- excessive design dimensions. The walls of a stone bath are constructed with a thickness of at least 75 cm, which negatively affects the amount of space required for construction.
Optimal choice
Today, in modern market conditions, choosing the optimal type of material for a home bath is not so simple, since for most domestic consumers the issue of the expediency of the money spent is not only acute, but is also the dominant factor in budget planning.
Let's analyze all of the above and find out what is the best way to build a bathhouse, and what materials are best to abandon. The highest quality building is wooden steam room(pine, spruce).
A wooden bathhouse will perfectly cope with all the responsibilities assigned to it and will give a lot of positive emotions, as well as pleasant sensations. In addition, such a steam room looks very colorful and will last for several decades.
Video: how to choose materials for building a bathhouse
If you don’t have extra funds, you can build a bathhouse from building blocks - you should turn your attention to expanded clay concrete. This material not only has low thermal conductivity and durability, but also makes it possible to quickly and inexpensively create a full-fledged steam room of any size and number of floors.
However, in pursuit of cheapness, you should not choose the most cheap materials, since such structures will not only last only a couple of decades, but will also cause a lot of trouble in maintenance. Therefore, you should not build a bathhouse made of aspen, foam blocks or cinder blocks on your site.
In this case, even with a gentle regime, after 10-15 years your steam room may become completely unusable. A properly equipped bathhouse is the best thing that can please you during the cold winter season in your own summer cottage.
Today there are many materials with which you can create a full-fledged steam room in just a few months, even with your own hands. However, if you don’t have extra funds in reserve, it is best to postpone the construction of a bathhouse until a later time, since a cheap steam room will soon become a serious headache. 
When building a bathhouse, you must choose materials carefully. They must be completely safe, heat-resistant, have good characteristics, and it is also desirable that they are not afraid of high humidity.
First of all, this applies to insulation: all rooms are insulated, and the steam room is especially carefully insulated. And it is in this group that it is very difficult to find material that fully satisfies all the requirements. So far we know only one: foam glass. It has excellent thermal insulation characteristics, is absolutely chemically neutral, does not absorb and is not afraid of moisture in any state, and is also a vapor and water insulator. An excellent combination of qualities, but there is a rather significant drawback: the price. High quality material originally from Europe. It costs a lot. There is a cheaper option from Belarus. Quality and price are average. And there is cheap (relatively) foam glass from China with dubious characteristics.
Other thermal insulators have disadvantages. Widespread hygroscopic, but at the same time afraid of moisture: in wet loses most of its properties. If it freezes when wet, then after thawing it simply crumbles into dust. In addition, produced in the form of rolls, when heated, it releases formaldehyde, which is used in production as a binder.
The second more or less common insulation can be used for external insulation. Inside, it is used only in cold rooms. Disadvantage: low density, susceptible to deformation. And one more thing: it does not allow air or vapor to pass through. Therefore, when using such insulation, ventilation must be very effective.
There is another material that has more high density than polystyrene foam, and also different best properties by thermal conductivity. This is extruded polystyrene foam. But its disadvantage is its high price.
Building materials for baths
Building materials for baths
The material for the walls of the bathhouse determines the quality, functionality and durability of the future structure. The most environmentally friendly is wood.
The timber walls erected for the bathhouse give the building a solid appearance, it is easy to breathe in, and the steam becomes more intense. Nowadays foam and cinder blocks are becoming more popular for bathhouse walls. The article will tell you what material to choose for construction, what thickness of walls for a bathhouse should be.
What material can be used to build a bathhouse?
What to make walls for a bathhouse from, for its long-term use and attractive appearance?
The best materials for this are:
- Logs.
- timber(see Do-it-yourself bathhouses made of timber: how the interior decoration is done).
- Different blocks.
- Brick.
Each of these materials has advantages and disadvantages.
When constructing the walls of a bathhouse from logs, which have been used for many centuries, the structure receives such advantages as:
- The walls allow steam and air to pass through perfectly.
- The room retains the light aroma that natural wood emits.
- Low thermal conductivity, which allows you to maintain warmth and comfort in the building for a long time even in winter. As a result, heating costs will be minimal.
But wooden walls They also have certain disadvantages:
- All wooden buildings are subject to shrinkage, which makes it possible to completely finish the bathhouse only six months after its construction.
- To preserve logs for a long time in an attractive form and special properties, the bathhouse must be well looked after or protected from harmful influences harmful effects environment. In this case, the walls can be lined with brick and other materials.
When constructing walls from timber, they have a number of advantages compared to buildings made from logs:
- Lower price.
- It is easier to build from it, especially with your own hands for a person who does not have professional skills.
A beam is a log cut from two sides or all four.
In this case, the cross section can be:
- Square.
- Rectangular.
Standard material proportions are 2:1.
The walls of the bathhouse give rise to sediment throughout the year:
- From timber - 6 centimeters.
- From logs - 12 centimeters.
Since time immemorial, the Slavs have had a tradition of building a bathhouse near their home. It has survived to this day, despite the fact that new, more modern washing devices have appeared. In order to independently make such a building for yourself, you need to know what materials will be needed to build a bathhouse. In this article we will talk in more detail about this component of the entire creation process.
In addition to all this, a bathhouse is a good investment because it can increase the value of your property. Think for yourself, would you buy ordinary house or with a steam room? Everything is true, of course, with your steam room. Now we invite you to move on to a more detailed consideration of the required materials.
Materials for construction work
Important. A bathhouse as a building is a complex object.
Therefore, they are presented to him special requirements, which are even more stringent than those of residential buildings.
For example, standards for electrical safety baths should deserve special attention, because in the steam room high humidity and temperature.
Building materials for a bathhouse are purchased depending on what it will be individual elements. In other words, the specification will depend on what and how they will be manufactured bearing structures and its individual elements.
We will consider construction issues:
- Sten;
- Ceiling;
- Selection of thermal insulators;
- Vapor barrier materials;
- Interior finishing.
Of course, these are not all the questions, but only the most important ones, which we will consider later in this article.
Building materials for walls
A wall is the basis of any building; its quality will determine the life of the building and the comfortable conditions inside the premises.
Most often, the following materials are used to build a bathhouse:
- Tree . This is the most traditional building material for baths, which has already proven its suitability for many centuries. Rocks are mainly used for construction deciduous trees– cedar, larch, etc. In specialized stores you can purchase the following beams: glued profiled, profiled, rectangular section and solid or rounded logs;
Important. When purchasing wooden beams or logs, you should know that storage quality is of great importance.
If the humidity in the warehouse was high, then in the future the log will shrink more, and maybe even move.
- Arbolit. It is a mixture of organic aggregates and cement. Its characteristics are similar to foam concrete. It is manufactured in the form of blocks, moreover technological process so light that it can be done directly on construction site. The only significant drawback is the fear of moisture, so after erecting the walls they must be lined;
- Foam concrete. It has good thermal insulation qualities, is lightweight and does not require a massive foundation. It is sold in the form of blocks, and the laying of walls from it is simple and can be done with your own hands. In addition, foam concrete has the ability to “breathe”;
- Brick . It must be said that this material for building a bathhouse is far from optimal. Firstly, walls built from it require massive thermal insulation. Secondly, the work of laying bricks itself is quite labor-intensive and difficult. Thirdly, it is imperative to build an appropriate foundation for such walls;
- Frame construction. The construction instructions say that first the frame of the future building is made using wooden beams. Then the voids in the walls are filled with a heat insulator and a water barrier is made, for example, with ecowool or foil-coated mineral wool.
After this the wall is sheathed sheet materials from the inside and outside. Such construction will take significantly less time compared to others, and with correctly selected materials, its price will please its owner.
What material is best to build a bathhouse from, of course, you mainly need to rely on the construction budget. If you don’t have a lot of money, then it’s better to take foam concrete or brick, and if everything is in order with finances, then wood is better.
Vapor barrier and wall insulation
We've combined these two components into one section because they are related. Thermal insulation materials have only one main task - retaining heat in the room.
Experts believe that the best insulators are basalt analogues, because they have a good thermal conductivity coefficient, are fire-resistant and environmentally friendly. IN construction stores, you can purchase it either in a roll or in a plate.
In addition to it, you can install the following insulating building materials for a bath: glass wool, mineral wool, ecowool, polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam and extruded polystyrene foam.
A vapor barrier is created in order to prevent the penetration of water vapor from, because when it gets wet, it loses its characteristics. To create it, special films like Izospan or Armofol are suitable.
Ceiling
This design should have the best thermal insulation properties, because large masses of hot steam are concentrated under it.
Possible in:
- Hemmed. It is made by attaching boards to beams that rest on the walls. A layer of vapor barrier, insulation and waterproofing is laid on top of the boards. They are then sewn up using boards. The structure of such a ceiling is the same as that of the walls in a frame house, so the materials for it can be taken the same as for the walls;
- Grazing. The boards are laid over the beams, and steam and thermal insulation is laid on them. The latter can be any bulk insulation, and on top such a structure can basically not be sheathed with anything. In such a ceiling, the floor beams are located outside in the bathhouse;
- Panel. If, after creating insulating layers, the beams are sheathed with special slabs or panels, then this panel ceiling. This type of cladding is hard work because the tiles are large and heavy.
In this case, it is difficult to answer what material is best to build a bathhouse from, but a sheathed ceiling looks much better and more beautiful. If your finances do not allow you to do this, then this can be done in the future when finances become available.
Bath decoration
The decoration of the bathhouse directly affects the future atmosphere in it, its safety and comfort. In specialized stores you can find many components for finishing work, but it must be said that only wood, and not all species, is suitable for finishing.
For example, a steam room and a washing room can be lined with different types of wood, and what is suitable for a washing room is strictly not allowed in a steam room.
What material should I use to build a bathhouse in this case? We answer, it’s better from the lining, but again you need to use a steam room Special attention. Due to the high temperature and its gradual drop, as well as humidity, the use of pine varieties is not allowed.
Firstly, they highlight unpleasant odors, which spoil the relaxation process, and secondly, when heated, resin accumulates on their surface, which becomes very hot and can cause a burn if you touch it.
It is better to use cedar, abasha, aspen, alder or linden wood for lining the steam room; they are dense in composition and thermally resistant. But even here, when purchasing them, you need to make sure that there are no knots on the boards, because they will get very hot.
The washing room should be finished with moisture-resistant types of wood; larch is well suited for these purposes. Lining made from it does not rot and has a long service life. As for the dressing room, it can be lined with any type of tree; if you want to save a little money, you can buy spruce and pine boards for these tasks.
Important. If you are thinking about how to build a bathhouse from scrap materials, then perhaps you need to think about using ordinary homemade building blocks.
At one time, they were in great demand among the population homemade blocks called "adobe", which were made from ordinary clay, straw and other components.
But in this case, you should know that such a bathhouse must have ideal vapor and waterproofing, and also that it will last a much shorter period of time than its analogues.
Selection and calculation of material
We think that it will not be a secret to you that more than half of the cost of construction is the construction of walls. Because the maximum volume of work and materials is concentrated here. In this paragraph of our article, we want to give an example of calculating the amount of material that will be required to create walls.
Since the most optimal and preferred option for these works is wooden beam, then the calculation of materials for the construction of a bathhouse will be performed for him.
Let's assume that you decide to take on the construction of a small bathhouse with dimensions of 3 by 4 meters and plan to purchase timber with a size of 150 * 150 mm. In this case, our calculation will look like this:
| (3+4)*2*0.15*2.5|* 1.1=6 m 3
Where:
- (3+4) – width and height of load-bearing walls;
- 2 – second pair of walls;
- 0.15 – beam height, mm;
- 2.5 – ceiling height;
- 1.1 – 10% reserve.
As a result for small bathhouse we need 6 cubes of material. If you are wondering what material is cheaper to build a bathhouse from, then you can multiply this figure in turn by the cost of timber, brick, foam concrete blocks, and so on.
Conclusion
In this article, we looked at the main points of construction, and discussed what material a bathhouse can be built from. It is best to use wood, but if the construction budget is small, then you can turn your attention to other materials. In the video presented in this article you will find Additional information on this topic.
Owners country houses sooner or later they think about building a bathhouse. After all, a bathhouse is an excellent place to relax. There you can easily cleanse your body and soul, have fun with friends and family, and receive a charge of positive emotions and healing effects.
The efficiency, aesthetics and durability of a building directly depend on the building materials. A bathhouse is built from wood, brick, blocks, etc. Let's consider the popular options for building materials separately.
Wooden sauna
Traditional and most rational option construction. Wood - natural environmentally friendly safe material, which will enhance the healing effect of bath procedures. Pleasant forest aroma and attractive appearance will create a cozy and favorable atmosphere.
Characteristics of wooden building materials:
- Ecologically clean materials do not emit harmful toxic substances;
- The tree is easy to install. Installation wooden log house will take 1-2 weeks;
- Keeps warm for a long time;
- At proper care the bathhouse will last 70-80 years;
- Aesthetically attractive appearance;
- Light weight does not require expensive deep foundations, which reduces construction costs;
- Does not require external or serious interior finishing, which saves most of the budget. After all, finishing makes up 50-70% of the cost of building a building;
- Ease of processing - wood can be easily coated with varnish and paint of any color;
- Low cost of material due to the availability of raw materials.
For wooden bath choose a log or timber. Both of these materials have the above characteristics, but there are differences between them. First of all, they relate to appearance and shape.
The rounded log will be appreciated by lovers of Russian style and space. The material of the correct cylindrical shape will harmoniously fit into the surrounding environment and create an elegant appearance of the building.
Glued or profiled timber characterizes square shape, which will create a European practical style.
The choice of timber or log is a matter of taste. However, keep in mind that building a log bathhouse will be cheaper. After all, timber requires additional costs for interior finishing in order to avoid the appearance of cracks and cracks.
Brick is distinguished by high thermal conductivity. Therefore, enhanced thermal insulation of the walls is required. After all, long-term preservation of heat in a room is the main thing for a bathhouse. In addition, masonry brick walls requires a lot of physical effort and takes a lot of time.
Characteristics of brick building materials:
- Durability and strength of the material;
- Requires a deep and expensive foundation, which increases the cost of construction;
- Heavy and labor-intensive installation;
- Requires serious interior finishing and reinforced thermal insulation due to high thermal conductivity;
- The material takes longer to warm up;
- Easily absorbs and allows moisture to pass through;
- Fire resistance.
Thus, building with bricks is not the most the best option. This will take a long time and require a lot of effort. In addition, such a bath requires a serious foundation and careful finishing.
Bathhouse made of foam concrete blocks
Foam concrete is made in the form of blocks. The material is superior to brick in terms of thermal insulation quality and saves foundation costs. However, the microclimate in such a bathhouse will be completely different than in a wooden one.
Characteristics of foam concrete:
- A standard wall foam block replaces 13 sand-lime bricks;
- Ease of installation - the foam block is easy to install yourself without professional training;
- Resistance to dampness;
- Difficulties in installing ventilation and vapor barrier.
Foam blocks are more suitable for building a bathhouse than bricks. However, the healing effect in such a room is reduced significantly than in a natural bath. At the same time, foam concrete makes it difficult to carry out vapor barrier and ventilation.
Frame structure - walls in the form of a lattice made of timber of various sections. The frame cells are filled thermal insulation materials and sheathed inside and outside with boards, clapboard or imitation timber.
Characteristics of frame technology:
- Ease and speed of construction;
- Good thermal insulation;
- The light weight of the structure does not require a deep, expensive foundation;
- Cheap materials and construction;
- Fragility of the structure.
A frame bath will not require large expenses. However, a fragile structure will last much less than a bathhouse made of wood, brick or block.
What material is best for building a bathhouse?
Regardless of the choice of material, wood will have to be used in any case. To cover walls and ceilings you will need wooden lining, for laying shelf - boards. Internal partitions, doors and window frames, beds and shelves, cooperage - all this is made of wood. Is it worth spoiling the atmosphere with artificial materials?
A quality wooden bathhouse will last a long time and create a unique atmosphere. Wood retains heat well and has a beneficial effect on the human condition. In such a room it will be easy to breathe and pleasant to be in.
The MariSrub company offers dozens of turnkey log bath projects. In the catalog you will find projects with an attic, a terrace, and a recreation room. For you - baths of various sizes and layouts. Let's do it individual project taking into account the characteristics land plot and the wishes of the client.
