Sometimes you really want to leave the hustle and bustle of the city, and go to the country. Silence, walks, doing what you love - what could be better! If comfort is provided at the dacha, I want to come again and again. One of the comfortable living conditions in the country is a bath.
Construction can, of course, be entrusted to professional builders. However, it is quite possible to build and equip a bathhouse in a summer cottage on your own. This saves you from additional expenses and allows you to finish and improve in full accordance with your desires and preferences. Therefore, this task is not easy, but it is quite within the power of a novice builder. A bathhouse built with your own hands will delight the owners even more. So, how to build a bath yourself?
Firstly, as with any construction, you first need to decide on the project and the materials from which the bath will be built. The choice of the main material for construction depends on the geographical location and operating conditions, as well as on their own capabilities.
Baths are made of brick, aerated concrete and other stone materials, some prefer frame baths, however, many novice builders prefer to build a bath from wood. This lightweight and durable material does not require a serious and expensive foundation, but it has excellent characteristics. With proper care, the operation of the bath will not cause much trouble.
And of course, preference should be given to timber - a bath made of this material will retain all the advantages of a wooden structure and eliminate the problems and additional costs that may arise during the construction of log walls. Building walls from a beam is similar to working with a constructor - it can have different geometric dimensions and cross-sections (rectangle, square, semicircular), and also, in the case of a profiled beam, there are grooves for fastening. Building from timber is easy and convenient - what could be better for a novice builder!
How to choose a place to build a bath.
One of the most important points is the choice of the location of the future building. The place must satisfy both existing legislation and usability. Here are some basic tips to help you choose:
- if there is a reservoir nearby, you should not place the bathhouse too close to it, as the building will be threatened by flooding;
- it is necessary to decide how the bath will be located relative to the house: a separate building or will be attached to it, since each option has its positive and negative sides;
- it is believed that it is better to build a bath in the backyard, in relative seclusion;
- it is necessary to provide mandatory ventilation during construction, as well as to provide for the disposal of wastewater;
- it is highly discouraged to determine the location next to the road passing nearby;
- when placing a building, it is necessary to take into account the cardinal points and the direction of the wind: the best place is the southern part of the site, protected from the wind so that it does not interfere with vacationers, it is better to have windows facing west;
- it is desirable that the bathhouse be at some distance from other buildings, and if it is an extension to the house, it is imperative that fire safety rules be observed during construction, as, indeed, when erecting a separate building;
- when determining the placement of the bath and its size, it is necessary to observe the distances established by the rules from the boundaries of the site so that the neighbors do not experience discomfort in the future and do not make claims to the owner;
- it is recommended to observe the distance to the water intake (well or well) - no more than 20 meters.
At the beginning of construction, it is highly desirable to make a project, which should, among other things, determine the optimal building area.
It is believed that the estimated area for 1 person should be approximately 5 sq.m. Thus, if the expected number of visitors to the bath is 4 people, its total area should not be less than 20 sq.m.
The minimum composition of the premises is as follows: a steam room, a washing room, a rest room and a dressing room. It is important to determine the most convenient location of these rooms relative to each other, as well as their geometric dimensions.
First you need to complete several diagrams and drawings:
- the general plan of the building;
- drawings of each room separately;
- a diagram of the foundation device;
- scheme of the roof device;
- plan for fastening and laying out the timber;
- a plan for the installation of the floor and ceiling of the bath;
- a diagram of the installation of the furnace, taking into account its design features.
All the necessary drawings can be done independently, as well as found in many open sources. As a rule, log baths have similar designs and you can easily choose the most suitable one. If you wish and have the necessary budget, you can entrust the design to a professional architect or builder.
Choice of building materials.
Below is a list of materials that will be needed to build a bath from a bar:
a) beam 150x150 mm, although it is possible to use a beam with a section of 100 mm or 200 mm;
b) a floor board (an edged board 150x50 mm 4 meters long is excellent);
c) hardwood boards for ceiling installation (usually lining is used with a width of 100 mm and a thickness of 20 mm or more);
d) material for wall decoration (as a rule, the same lining is used);
e) material for vapor barrier (an excellent option would be to use a vapor barrier film);
f) waterproofing (it is desirable to use penofol, although plastic film is suitable);
g) ceiling insulation (a good option is mineral wool materials);
h) sheet asbestos for insulation of wooden structures from temperature effects, including for walls near the furnace and elements located near the chimney;
i) cement, sand and gravel for the foundation (recommendation - cement should be purchased before construction begins);
j) roofing material for the roof, which can be selected based on personal preferences and, most importantly, that it fits organically into the surrounding roofs of other buildings;
l) insulation for interventional space (it is better to use jute, although moss or tow are perfect).
The best time to start construction is spring, because after the completion of the main construction work, it is necessary for the timber to dry and shrink. This requires at least 6 months.
Do-it-yourself bath - step by step instructions.
Step I - preparation of the territory for construction.
Before starting construction, it is necessary to clear the site - remove shrubs, stumps, remove debris and everything that will interfere with the work on the foundation.
Step II - building the foundation.
It is best to build a bath from a bar on a columnar foundation, which is inexpensive and great for building small wooden and frame buildings.
When constructing it, you first need to dig the estimated number of holes for the installation of supports. Their number is calculated as follows - the supports must be installed in the corners of the building and at the intersections of the walls, as well as with a certain step along their perimeter.
The step is selected taking into account the type of soil and the estimated total weight of the structure. The depth of the pits should be 1-1.5 meters, although it may vary depending on the depth of soil freezing in a given area. To perform this type of foundation, in addition to the materials listed above, asbestos-cement pipes and fittings will be required.
At the bottom of the pit, it is necessary to fill in a mixture of sand and gravel with a thickness of 10-15 cm. Then install an asbestos-cement pipe of the required length into it, strictly vertically, and fix it. Several reinforcement bars should be placed inside the pipe.
After that, pour concrete mortar into the pipe and into the free space between the walls of the pit and the pipe.
After pouring the solution, you need to wait a few days, and then lay a wall half a brick thick between the pillars.
Step III - erecting walls and arranging the roof.
The traditional material for the construction of the walls of the bath is a beam measuring 150x150 mm. Before laying the first crown, it is imperative to put waterproofing on the foundation. The lower part of the crown must be treated with an antiseptic. Most often, the beam is laid out in the “paw” way.
The first crown must be carefully aligned according to geometric parameters - all angles must be exactly 90 degrees. After the first crown has been erected, the laying of the beams for the set of walls begins. When laying out the walls, you need to make openings for future doors and windows and be sure to insulate each row with the selected heat-insulating material.
To connect the crowns, dowels are used - metal or wooden pins.
After the walls are removed, the roof is installed. Depending on the chosen shape of the roof, it is necessary to fix the rafters, which are attached to the upper crown with brackets.
When constructing a shed sloping roof, the rafters are fixed either with two external or one external and one internal supports. When erecting a gable roof, it is necessary to securely support the rafters from below on the wall, and connect them together from above to form a roofing ridge.
Lathing boards are attached to the fixed rafters, then hydro- and vapor barriers and insulation are laid on them.
The installation of the selected roofing material completes the installation of the roof.
Step IV - interior finishing work.
Interior decoration should begin with a communications device - sewerage, plumbing, electricity. Sewerage should be taken care of even when designing and building a foundation.
It is necessary to dig a drainage well next to the future bathhouse, which includes a sewer pipe buried in the ground with a slope to remove wastewater from the washing department.
After the installation of the sewerage system, a finishing floor is made, which is made of wood or concrete. The concrete floor is more durable, most often it is faced with tiles or porcelain stoneware.
If a wooden floor is chosen for interior decoration, it is usually made leaky. To do this, the floor boards are nailed to the installed lags with a small gap, or a small drain hole closed by a grate is equipped in the floor.
In this case, the floor must be done with a slight slope towards the drain. Then the water that has fallen into the drain will be discharged through the sewer pipe into the drainage well.
After the sewerage installation, it is necessary to carry out insulation, hydro- and vapor barrier of the walls and ceiling with the help of appropriate materials, conduct electricity and plumbing.
After installing windows and doors, then finish the room with the help of, for example, lining.
After finishing the finish, you need to install the necessary electrical appliances.
Step V - installation of the oven and shelves.
There are a lot of options for placing shelves, you just need to follow the recommended dimensions and that they should be made of hardwood. The installation principle is simple - a stable frame is mounted, usually from a bar, and boards are attached to it.
The installation of the furnace must be carried out in full compliance with fire safety requirements. Wooden structures must be isolated from the high temperatures of the operating furnace and chimney. In the case of a large furnace weight, it must be installed on a specially equipped foundation. This is determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the furnace chosen.
The stove is selected depending on the preferences of the owner. It can be a traditional wood-burning stove, a metal wood-burning or electric stove, sometimes it is advisable to choose a gas stove for a bath.
Step VI - Choosing Accessories
There are many accessories for the bath.
The main ones are:
- brooms (oak, birch and others);
- containers (buckets, basins);
- a wooden bucket for adding water;
- wooden gratings on the floor and much more.
Additional individuality can be added by the interior decoration of the premises, which remains at the discretion of the owner - here, depending on the desires and financial capabilities, you can give free rein to your imagination.
It must be added that all of the listed accessories can be made independently. Bath is a great place to spend time in a pleasant, friendly company or with family. It will be much more pleasant to realize that all this was done by hand, including useful and necessary devices: for example, hangers, lamps or ventilation grilles.
Enjoy Your Bath!
Video about the construction of the bath yourself.
A small do-it-yourself bath is a great option when the area near the house or in the yard of the cottage is limited. In addition, with such a solution, you can significantly save the budget, but as a result, get a full-fledged vacation spot that will not only allow you to relieve stress after a hard day, but improve your health and have a good time with family and friends.
Project examples
Ideally, the bath includes 4 rooms in its design:
- dressing room;
- restroom;
- washing;
You can expand the functionality of some rooms by combining them with each other. At the same time, the comfort of the stay is not lost. The overall size of the building will largely depend on how many people will be inside at the same time.
- 1.20 mx2.50 m Very compact solution. In this case, the bath consists of only two rooms: a steam room and a dressing room. The dimensions of the first are 1.20 m × 1.50 m, the second - 1 m × 1.20 m. There is no rest room, and you can change clothes in the dressing room. Washing can be combined with a steam room. This size will be enough for one person.
- 2.50 m × 2.50 m. By the number of rooms - like the first option. The size of the steam room is 2.50 m × 1.50 m, the dressing room is 1 m × 2.50 m. At the same time, it will be possible to organize additional space for storing firewood. In such conditions, two people can easily fit.
- 3 m × 3 m. This option can be planned in different ways. If there is a desire that three people fit in the steam room, then it can be made 3 m × 1.50 m in size, the washing room can be made separate by putting a shower stall there. The size of this room will be 1 m × 1.50 m. There is also a dressing room 2 m × 1.5 m. You can combine a washing room and a steam room, then there remains a space that can be used as a rest room, which will also serve as a dressing room.
- 4 m × 3 m. In this case, 4 m 2 can be separated for the steam room (for example, 2 m × 2 m). The washing room will occupy 1 m × 1.50 m, 2 m × 3 m remains for the rest room. In such conditions, four people can easily fit. They will be able to stay in the steam room at the same time, as well as enjoy communication in the dressing room.
- 4 m × 4 m. In such a territory it is already possible to turn around well. The steam room can be left 2 m × 2 m in size. Make a separate dressing room 2 m × 1.50 m in size. In this case, the relaxation room is 4 m × 2 m (one of the sides will be 2.50 m). The washing room can be combined with a rest room, for this an electric boiler and a shower cubicle are installed. They can be placed in one of the corners of the room, which does not take up much space.
These are indicative examples. You can easily vary the size of the rooms within the available limits. You may want to make the steam room smaller, as there is no need for 4 people to be there at the same time. At the same time, it will be possible to expand the space of the rest room.
Note! All measurements are given in ideal values without taking into account the thickness of the partition walls. This was done for greater clarity. In the case when the bath is adjacent to the house, then it can be made in the form of one steam room. At the same time, the bathroom will act as a washing room, and the rest of the territory is available for relaxation.
Choosing a material
Various materials can be used to build walls. Much will depend on which project you have chosen, as well as the planned amount of money. For example, you can use ordinary brick. How to build a brick bath, you can read. In this case, the following points will be positive:
- availability;
- ease of delivery;
- relative ease of construction;
- long service life (with proper care - up to 150 years);
- ease of maintenance;
- the possibility of combining with the main structure;
- when using a new brick, there is no need for cladding;
- freedom to choose the form of construction.
The negative aspects include:
- the high cost of the material;
- the need for good ventilation, tk. brick has poor vapor conductivity;
- kindling such a bath takes more time than wooden buildings;
- high costs for interior decoration.
Along with brick, foam block is often used. This is a more progressive material; it has properties characteristic only of it:
- light weight with large size;
- high laying speed;
- ease of fitting block shapes;
- good thermal insulation;
- relatively low price;
- excellent sound insulation;
- environmental friendliness;
- subject to the recommendations - a small consumption of glue.
There is also a fly in the ointment:
- uneven pores can be a problem when hanging furniture;
- shrinkage may occur within a few months;
- poor bending stability.
The most favorite way of manufacturing is rounded logs. There is a lot to be said about its benefits, here are just a few:
- high environmental friendliness;
- pleasant appearance;
- low heat capacity;
- no need for interior and exterior decoration;
- nice interior atmosphere.
The negative side is:
- unprofitable to use in small buildings;
- some complexity of construction;
- the high cost of the material;
- long shrinkage time.
One of the cheapest and fastest options is the construction of a frame structure. This method will require minimal building skills. The advantages are:
- no need for a massive foundation;
- availability of materials;
- relatively low cost compared to other options;
- ease of care;
- very fast heating of the steam room with good insulation;
- ease of laying communications;
- seismic resistance;
- no shrinkage.
Of the minuses, one can note the need for good sound insulation. A high level of boominess is the transmission of various vibrations, which can cause inconvenience. It is also important to take care of good ventilation so that moisture does not accumulate inside, which will lead to the development of fungus and mold.
Strip foundation
In the case when a really small bath is planned, it makes no sense to sink the foundation to the level of soil freezing. This will only increase the overall cost of the project. With proper manufacturing and waterproofing, you don’t have to worry about the walls being cold. This type of foundation will be relevant for any of the listed building options.
At the stage of laying the foundation, the necessary communications are provided. This may be a water supply and a sewer drain for water from a washing.
Note! If it is known that soils in your area are highly mobile, then an unburied foundation is a poor option, because it can easily collapse under the pressure of the layers. In this case, it is better to evaluate the possibility of installing piles.
pile foundation
There are several ways to build a foundation. Piles can be bored and driven. In the first case, a well is drilled, formwork is made, reinforcing rods are lowered, and the entire space is poured with concrete. In the second option, ready-made concrete, wooden or metal posts with a pointed end are immediately clogged. The most suitable options for a small bath will be screw. They consist of a metal base in the form of a pipe and blades, which contribute to the immersion of the supports into the ground. You can buy them or make your own. If you chose the second option, then you need to act like this:
In each of the options described, separate support elements for the stove should also be provided, especially if you plan to use a heater. This is very important, because its weight can be large, which can damage the floor and lag.
Note! Such a foundation would be an ideal solution for frame structures, log buildings, as well as small foam block baths. If the soil in the area where construction is planned is sufficiently strong and rocky, then something in between a pile and strip foundation can be used - columnar. In this case, individual pits with a size of 50 × 50 cm are dug out every meter to a level below the freezing of the soil. A formwork, a metal crate is installed inside and a solution is poured.
Building brick walls
For a bath, it is better to use red brick, which has undergone heat treatment and has a lower thermal capacity. To calculate the amount of material needed, you need to calculate the area of \u200b\u200beach wall. To do this, the width is multiplied by the length. Then you need to divide this number by the area of \u200b\u200bone brick. The area of the masonry seams can be neglected, because you still need to make a reserve in case of a fight or marriage.
The wall can be built using several methods:
- in two bricks with external insulation.
- with air gaps, they are about 6 cm;
- with a layer of insulation between two rows of bricks.
Work begins with the construction of corners. This is an important process because it is they who will subsequently ensure the correctness of the entire structure. To maintain the vertical level of future walls, two metal profiles 5 × 5 cm and a length equal to the height of the future walls are dug in at the corners. They are leveled and secured with braces. Between them, a fishing line is stretched to the height of one row. After it is laid, the fishing line is rearranged to the height of the next one. The thickness of the seam should be about 20–25 mm. It must be applied at a distance of no more than a meter so that it does not have time to dry. Additionally, the plane is checked using a bubble level. If the second and third type of masonry is chosen, then it is necessary to provide a dressing between the two walls. This is ensured by the transverse laying of two bricks opposite each other at certain intervals. Also, each row should go with an offset of half a brick, so that the overall weave of the entire plane is ensured.
A lintel must be installed above windows or doorways. Usually it is reinforced concrete. You can buy it ready-made or fill it directly on the spot. It should go beyond the openings by at least 25 cm. Supports are installed, a wooden board is mounted on them. Two rows of bricks are laid out on edge. Between them are reinforcement bars, which should also go beyond the opening by 25 cm, while it is better to bend them in order to intertwine with the existing masonry. Concrete is poured inside. After complete solidification (usually 10-12 days), the lower supports can be dismantled and the logs removed.
Walls made of foam blocks
The general principle of laying will be the same as in the previous case. You should also start from the corners, which must be accurately and clearly set.
In the same way, guides are made of profiled pipes. But there are some nuances:
- In order to achieve the best adhesion, the row-base is laid on a cement mortar. The ratio with sand is better to make 1:3. It is very important to maintain a horizontal plane so that all other rows also lie correctly.
- All other rows are fixed with special glue.
- The thickness of the adhesive layer should not exceed 5 mm. Only in this case will it be possible to achieve ideal thermal insulation.
- Every 3 rows, a metal mesh is placed in the seam, which serves to give additional rigidity.
- Foam blocks are placed on the edge.
- Lintels over doors and windows are made in the same way as in the case of brickwork.
Log walls
It is this option that pops up in the imagination when it comes to the bath. For its manufacture, you will need to stock up on rounded or profiled logs. It is better to make external walls from this material. Because the design is small, it is good if the partitions are frame.
After the construction of the walls is completed, the primary caulking is performed. During which the hanging insulation is simply hammered into the joints. Complete shrinkage of the building can last more than 1.5 years.
Frame walls
After the foundation has been erected, an additional foundation is made for such a structure. It is performed according to the example of the grillage, which was mentioned above. For the corner posts, we need exactly the same beam as for the base. In addition, it will be necessary to stock up on an edged board with a length equal to the height of the future walls, a width equal to the width of the grillage and a thickness of 5–10 cm.
Roof erection
For small buildings, a pitched roof is the ideal solution. It is necessary to plan its production at the design stage. It is very important to be able to raise one wall higher than the other. When this is done, then in the case of a wall of brick and foam block, waterproofing from bikrost or roofing material is laid on the upper end. Additional beams are mounted on it, which will serve as a Mauerlat. They are attached to the base with anchor bolts or walled studs. Beams are laid on top, on which the crate will be stuffed. They can be fixed to the Mauerlat using metal corners.
In another version, the walls are made the same. Ceiling beams are laid on the Mauerlat. On one side, vertical boards are installed that will form a pediment, rafter legs are lowered from them to another wall. At the junction with the Mauerlat, they are cut to the required angle. Fastened with metal corners. To make it easier to support the roof in one plane, two extreme elements are first installed. A string is stretched between them, which will serve as a level.
The ceiling must be insulated. A vapor barrier is attached to the ceiling beams from above. In this role, dense foil can act. Insulation in the form of mineral wool is placed in the space between the beams. Additionally, it is covered with plastic wrap. From the inside, filing is done using a wooden lining or a polished edged board. Read more about the insulation of the ceiling in the bath.
Note! For a house made of timber, when attaching the rafter legs to the Mauerlat, it is better to use floating corners. This is necessary so that during shrinkage the roof does not skew.
finish line
An integral part of each bath is a stove. It can be made independently from sheet material or a metal pipe of large diameter. In another version, it is laid out of brick, but in this case it can take up a large space. For a small space, it is better to use electric options that are purchased ready-made.
Shelves are mounted inside the steam room. For him, it is better not to use coniferous wood, because. when heated, it may release resin, which will cause burns. A good material for it would be aspen, larch, linden or oak. With a small space, a width of 40 cm will suffice, it is more convenient when there is a footrest. The fixing material must be recessed flush so as not to burn the skin (it must also be made of stainless material). It is better if the whole structure is assembled on dowels.
For wiring, a double-braided cable must be used. It is better if it is non-flammable (usually there is a prefix “ng” in the marking). Be sure to lay the conductor in the corrugation. Switches are not mounted in the steam room itself. Luminaires are used waterproof with index IP68.
Take care of good ventilation. To do this, you can install an adjustable supply valve, as well as anemostats with an outlet to the gable through the roof. This will be enough for all the moisture to be removed after taking a steam bath.
As you can see, there are no restrictions on what you can build a small bath from. Choose the option that best suits you.
Scheme
Frame-panel bath with a porch
Almost every owner of his own house dreams of a bath. And even if you are not going to build a bath with your own hands, then you need to at least understand the variety of bath projects and their little secrets.
Did you know that before building a bath, it is important to orient it to the cardinal points? Usually the door to the bath is located on the south side - in winter the snow melts there earlier and you do not have to often clear it. But it is better to place the windows in the west - in the evening they will have more light, because we usually go to the bathhouse in the evenings. 
For the construction of the log cabin of the bath, a winter forest is used - it is denser and less prone to decay. Do not rush to start a bath when the log house is ready - it should settle for a year, and only then you can start finishing work.
At the initial stage of construction, it is necessary to resolve the issue of choosing a place such as a bath. It can be erected as a freestanding structure or attached to a house or other residential building.
Many believe that the combination of bath and home can add dampness and bad smell to the house. But, if proper waterproofing, ventilation and sewerage are laid in the bath, then the above-mentioned problems should not be. 
On the other hand, a bathhouse made as a separate building is more fireproof, and a small veranda near the bathhouse can completely replace a garden gazebo for you.
A very important point in the construction of a bath is laying the foundation. The foundation can be tape, columnar or pile. For the construction of a do-it-yourself bath, a columnar foundation is considered the best, which consists of concrete piles exposed to a depth of about 1.5 meters. Such a foundation is made of stone, brick or concrete.
To finish the bath inside, it is better to use material from such tree species as poplar, alder or aspen, as they have high moisture resistance and low thermal conductivity. We recommend making floors also from wood, since it heats up slightly. But the tree has a tendency to rot, so it is better to make a collapsible floor and ventilate and dry it in the sun at least once a year. 
Shelves in the bath may not be very large. The main thing is that they can sit freely or lie comfortably. The size of the steam room should be about 6 square meters. m. - so you don’t need a lot of firewood for warming up, and not crowded. In a proper Russian bath, the air temperature is about 60 degrees, and the humidity is 40%. Compare with the Finnish sauna, where the temperature is 90 degrees and the humidity is 10%.
For building a bath with your own hands, an important point is the choice of a stove for heating the steam room. The “lightness” of steam depends on the type of furnace. A brick oven warms up longer, and should stand for about an hour - but the steam is perfect, light. The iron stove warms up quickly, does not threaten with waste, but the steam is harder.
The furnace must be installed on the foundation. In no case should it touch the walls of the bath. Consider the fact that the stove must be positioned so that all the rooms of the bath are heated at once. To date, stoves with an elongated firebox are very popular. Such stoves allow you to heat in the steam room from the dressing room. A good stove evenly distributes heat throughout the bath.
The layout of the bath includes three main rooms: a steam room, a shower room and a relaxation room.
In addition to these rooms, a bathhouse can include a small outdoor pool, because a bathhouse is not only steam and heat, but also hardening in the fresh air. After all, after the steam room, it is necessary to close the pores - and cold water from an external reservoir can best cope with this.
If you do not have the opportunity to build a bath from logs, you can choose another construction option from the so-called "wooden bricks". 
With such construction, wooden chocks are laid in cement mortar like bricks. 
So you will not only save on the construction of a bath, but also get a more fireproof option. 
Such a bath looks quite decent inside, and, in addition, in this way you can easily build a so rarely seen tent bath. 
The layout of the bath will allow you to carefully consider the required functionality from your bath and more accurately predict your costs and labor costs.
Bath layout 1.
Bath layout 2.
Bath layout 3.
Bath layout 4.
Bath layout 5.
A bathhouse is not an easy place, since ancient times a bathhouse has been rightfully considered a real healer - “In the bathhouse, wash yourself and be born again!” But the bathhouse has its own legends. So in the days of paganism, the Slavs, having heated the baths well and laid out clean clothes there, tightly closed them and left. It was a time when the dead ancestors were soaring. 
In early Christian times, the bath was considered a suspicious place. It was forbidden to hang icons in the bath and bring bath utensils into the house. After the bath, a person had to douse himself with cold water or plunge into the river - in order to drive away evil spirits from himself. After visiting the bath, it was impossible to go to church, it was a sin to wash on Orthodox holidays, as well as on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Thus, Saturday became a bathing day. 
The spirit of the bath - a bathhouse, demanded respect and forbade entering the bath after dark, and taking a bath drunk. It was a big misdemeanor to rush a person steaming in a bath or leave a child unattended in a bath - they could be dragged away by the bath spirit. 
If you are going to build a bathhouse in your summer cottage, we hope that our little tips came in handy. And the old traditions that we told you about will help you not only enjoy visiting the bath, but also be extremely careful next to the hot stove and steam. 
After all, a do-it-yourself bath is a fascinating and useful thing, you may be interested in getting acquainted with modern bath options in our video:
If the dimensions of the summer cottage do not allow the construction of a full-fledged building, then the alternative is a mini-bath. In terms of its functionality, level of comfort and safety, it is absolutely not inferior to traditional steam rooms, but at the same time it requires much less usable space. In addition, self-construction of a bath from affordable and safe materials is within the power of even a novice master.
Available materials for the construction of a budget bath
Before you build a budget bath for a summer residence, you need to decide on the material for wall structures. As a rule, natural wood is used to build a private steam room - a bar, a simple or rounded log, but more and more often, in order to save money, site owners prefer simpler and cheaper materials. The most requested of them are:
- Brick.
- Wooden beam.
- Edged board.
- Steel frame with wood cladding.
- The professional flooring is plastic.
Each material has its strengths and weaknesses, which can be used to advantage in the construction of a compact steam room.
Varieties of economy baths
An economical bath in the country is an excellent solution for small-sized garden plots, the area of \u200b\u200bwhich does not exceed 10 acres. This means that the building itself must be ergonomic: up to 6 meters long and 4 meters wide.
Consider the main design options that can be advantageously equipped on a small private plot.
frame
The simplest frame bath is built on a lightweight base, has a wear-resistant wooden frame, sheathed with high-quality materials.
In order to provide additional protection against the negative effects of moisture and temperature changes in a small frame bath, the structure is insulated and waterproofed.
For the construction of a bath, dry logs with a cross section of up to 112 mm are suitable. To make a compact bath area up to 13 square meters. m, it is necessary to prepare 80 units of lumber. For insulation, you can use mineral wool, tow fiber and tow.
Frame structures do not need additional external finishing. If desired, it can be done, but this will significantly increase the cost of the project.
monolithic
Another economical design option for construction in a summer cottage. It involves the use of cheap material - wood concrete, which is prepared from sand, cement, chemical additives and aggregate. As a filler, sawdust of coniferous and deciduous trees, hemp and flax fires, straw stalks from rice and cotton are used.
There are two technologies for building a bath: from sawdust blocks with brickwork or cast-in-place casting. Monolithic technology provides for a preliminary removable type, followed by pouring the walls with a finished mixture.
Mobile
On the modern market, ready-made ergonomic designs of baths with various technical and operational parameters are presented. One of them is a small sauna, which is a tent on a steel base, equipped with a mobile heater and a backpack for transportation.
There are more affordable and lightweight designs that are equipped with a small-sized steam plant.
The undoubted advantage of a mini-bath for use in the country is the ease of assembly and installation in any accessible place. Depending on the design features, dimensions and type of bath, it can accommodate from 2 to 5 people.
Ergonomic
The budget barrel bath is the most popular and sought-after design option, which has almost all the advantages of a stationary building.
A similar structure is a dimensional barrel made of wood. It is divided by a special partition into two functional areas: a steam room and a shower room - for health and water procedures, a dressing room - for the installation of heating equipment. The mobile barrel-shaped bath can accommodate from 2 to 4 people in one session.
For the construction of walls, an edged board made of hardwood trees up to 6 cm thick is used. A mobile economy bath does not require a foundation, but to increase the stability of the structure, it is recommended to use an additional wooden base made of boards up to 5 cm thick.
If the operation of the bath is provided not only in the summer, but also with the onset of cold weather, then a prerequisite is the insulation of the structure. For thermal insulation, frost-resistant and durable materials are used, inert to decay and the negative effects of external factors.
Choosing a place for the construction of a country bath
On a small plot, it is better to build a bathhouse near existing buildings - a residential building, a summer kitchen, a sanitary unit. This option has a lot of advantages, since it allows not only to effectively connect the usable area of various buildings, but also significantly save on building and finishing materials.
When building a bath, you must consider the main recommendations:
- The bath should be removed from any water bodies at a safe distance to avoid possible flooding of the premises.
- The remoteness of the building from the hydraulic structure should be 15 meters, from neighboring sites - 5 meters.
- It is better to have a bath in the backyard or the south side of the site.
- Do not build a building near the road, field and garden.
- When all fire safety rules must be observed.
- When developing the project, the competent organization of ventilation and waste systems, as well as the safe arrangement of steam and heat insulation protection, is taken into account.
The construction of a budget bath in the country on frame technology
To build a bath in the country with minimal investment is available to any owner of a small plot, according to the construction technology, all work is carried out step by step in the following order:
- Site preparation for construction.
- Building a foundation.
- Timber frame binding.
- Wall cladding outside.
- Thermal insulation.
- Arrangement of communications.
- Installation of heating equipment and furniture.
Site preparation and foundation construction
At the initial stage, it is necessary to prepare a site for building. The site is cleared of pollution and plantings, leveled. Next, the arrangement of the base for the bath is carried out.
A cheap version of the foundation for a frame bath - it is durable and durable. It is recommended to use pipes made of asbestos cement as supports.
Under the pipes, the required number of recesses is prepared along the perimeter and at the junctions of the walls.
The mounting step of the supports is selected taking into account the type of soil and the maximum load produced on the base.
The shrinkage of the supports is carried out to a depth of up to 150 cm, while a drainage (15 cm) cushion based on sand and fine gravel is first poured into the bottom of the pit.
Pipes are installed in a vertical position, fittings are placed in each. The cavity of the pipes is concreted, the area around each pipe is also filled with mortar.
After the concrete has hardened, a wooden or metal grillage is installed on each support under the frame.
Timber frame binding
The frame for a budget wooden bath is made from dried and treated with moisture-proofing compounds of a bar measuring 15 × 15 cm. An initial crown is laid on a waterproofed base with alignment along the perimeter. Laying method - in the paw.
The walls are erected to the desired height with the organization of door and window openings. The crowns are fixed to each other with wooden dowels. The bars are insulated with jute fiber or tow.
On the upper crown, rafters are fixed to metal brackets, taking into account the configuration of the future roof. For a shed roof, the rafters are fixed with external and internal supports, for a gable roof - at the bottom, the rafters are mounted to the load-bearing walls, and from above they are reduced in the form of a roofing ridge.
Exterior wall cladding and thermal insulation
Even a simple and compact bath needs high-quality thermal insulation and exterior cladding. For the frame structure, you can use affordable and cheap materials - OSB and DSP (cement-bonded particle boards), moisture-resistant plywood and board.
On the finished frame, the sheathing is mounted on self-tapping screws, and the joints are filled with mounting foam or sealant.
Reliable thermal insulation will provide additional protection of the wooden structure from high moisture and temperature changes. As a heat insulator, you can use mineral and ecological wool, polystyrene foam sheets, reed plates and jute.
Thermal insulation materials are installed in the free space between the inner and outer lining, preventing the formation of gaps that can lead to heat loss.
A vapor barrier layer of glassine or polyethylene film is mounted on the insulation.
Arrangement of communications
At this stage, all the main communications are laid - water supply (cold and hot), sewage and ventilation systems, electrical wiring.
The laying of the sewage system - the arrangement of a drainage well, a septic tank or a tie-in into the central sewer - must be provided at the stage of construction of the foundation.
A wooden base is better to make a leaky structure with a small drain hole. The floor is equipped with a minimum slope of 5 degrees.
Next is the laying of reinforced electrical wiring. After that, wall and ceiling structures are insulated using improvised and moisture-resistant materials, decorative trim with clapboard or plywood. At the end, doors and windows, heating equipment and electrical appliances are installed.
Installation of heating equipment and furniture
For a frame rustic bath in the country, it is recommended to choose a compact and economical heater - an electric stove or a wood-burning stove with a metal case. Massive stoves require the construction of an additional foundation, which will entail an increase in the cost of building and maintaining a bath.
At the end, a standard set of furniture is installed - shelves and benches for the steam room, a table, chairs and hangers - for the dressing room (cloakroom), benches and shelves - for the shower room.
The construction of a small private bath on a personal plot is a complex and responsible undertaking. To get a decent result of their labors, experts recommend drawing up a detailed plan for the construction process. This will simplify the passage of the main stages of work and avoid serious mistakes.
Step-by-step instructions for building a mini-bath include the following steps:
- Selecting a site for a building site.
- The construction of the base for the bath.
- Construction of walls, partitions and floors.
- Installation of the truss system.
- Thermal insulation, waterproofing and vapor barrier of walls, ceilings and floors.
- External insulation and cladding.
- Installation of heating equipment and chimney.
- Flooring, installation of door and window structures.
- Supply of communications.
- Interior cladding.
- Selection and arrangement of furniture, bath accessories.
Projects of small-sized baths
Construction work begins with the preparation of a project for the future bath. It is important to take into account all the main parameters here: dimensions and internal layout, location, building and finishing materials, furniture and equipment.
The most common are the following sizes of budget baths:
3×3
Square one-story building for 9 square meters. m - the most affordable option for a small-sized bath. It provides for the presence of a steam room and a washing room, located on 4 squares with a minimum set of furniture, as well as a dressing room for 4 square meters. m with a folding table and benches. Here you can organize a dressing room and a recreation area. A small corridor is intended for convenient storage of bath accessories.
4×3
Bath project for 12 square meters. m provides for a budget building, designed for a small company of 2-3 people. The general space of the bath can be divided into several functional areas with thin partitions made of timber: a steam room, a washing room and a dressing room. The washing room has a small drip tray with a drain hole. For such a bath, it is recommended to choose a compact metal wood-burning stove or an electric stove.
4×4
Bath project for 16 square meters. m is quite in demand due to its spaciousness. A standard building is being built on one floor and may include the following rooms: a steam room, a washing room, a dressing room, a sanitary unit and a rest room. In some cases, such a project provides for an open terrace. The bath can have a second floor, furnished as a guest room, a game room or a study. For the construction of such a bath, timber, logs, cinder blocks and bricks are used.
4×5
Budget project for a country bath for 20 sq. m includes a minimum of structural elements. As a rule, the building is built on one floor and is divided into a steam room, a washing department, a relaxation room and a terrace. Heating equipment and furniture are installed in the steam room, an area with a shower and a sanitary unit is set up in the washing room, household appliances and furniture are mounted in the relaxation room. In this project, there may be no waiting room, which allows you to get a fairly practical summer version of the bath.
6×4
The most popular project of a small-sized bath for 24 sq. m, which consists of a steam room and a washing room of the same area, a dressing room, a small lounge combined with a terrace. Such dimensions of the building allow it to be used for a company of 4-6 people. To save space in the steam room, multi-tiered folding shelves can be installed. If desired, you can reduce the area of \u200b\u200bthe rest room by allocating a small room for a dressing room.
Photo examples of finished baths in the country
Before starting the construction process, it is necessary to develop a detailed design and draw up a detailed drawing indicating the technical parameters of the future building. Original and popular options for budget baths in summer cottages, built by oneself, in our photo selection.
A functional frame bath in a summer cottage is an affordable and relatively cheap building option for home use. To reduce construction costs, you can create your own project, as well as use only inexpensive and practical materials. A compact heating stove, made by hand, will also help to significantly reduce the cost of maintaining the finished bath.
Traditionally, baths are usually installed on their own personal plots or in summer cottages in the form of separate buildings. However, not everyone has enough territory to mount such a full-fledged bath complex. In this case, a mini-bath for a summer residence comes to the rescue.
You can build this miracle yourself, based on the space allocated for it. In this case, you will need to draw up a full-fledged project with scrupulous geometric calculations. Also, this stage is easily delegated to professionals who, for a certain cost (it can be quite large), will provide the result in the shortest possible time. In some cases, it is appropriate to use ready-made standard offers.
Dimensions
A do-it-yourself mini bath for a summer residence will bring more joy to the owner and will significantly save on the project and on paying third-party builders. At the design stage, you will have to pay attention to the fact that in the projects of mini-baths for summer cottages, as a rule, not all traditional premises available in classic bath complexes are included.
In most cases, such buildings are devoid of a rest room and other frills. Only functionally important elements remain:
- a steam room that combines the functions of a washing room;
- dressing room in which they undress and leave things.
Foundation pouring
The implementation of the mini-bath project for a summer cottage with your own hands begins with the construction of a foundation. Since the structure is assumed to be with a small load, in most cases they manage with columnar piles or a shallow strip foundation.
.jpg)
For a small design, a tape base is suitable
The second option is relevant for loose soft soils. Piles are used in cases where the soil is hard enough, and it is not advisable to dig a deep trench. When the mini-bath in the country (the video is presented on the page) will be mounted on solid and dry soil, then they get by with pouring a lightweight version of the foundation. For its formation, a layer of stones is laid close to each other over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe future building. A layer of clay is applied on top of it and tamping is carried out. After carrying out such work, it is necessary to level the surface and then lay a waterproofing layer on it.
If the mini-baths for giving (the photo is on our website) assumes the presence of a strip foundation, then the following actions are carried out:
- a sand cushion up to 150 mm is poured into the trench;
- lay roofing material for waterproofing;
- wooden formwork is mounted;
- prepared concrete is poured into the formwork cavity.
To make a columnar foundation for a mini-bath for a summer residence, you need to buy concrete pillars and bury them at an approximately equal distance from each other of 0.8-1.0 m. This type of foundation will be relevant for frame construction.
It is also worth paying attention to the pile-screw foundation, which is much easier to install than concrete pillars, but at the same time is a stronger foundation.
The distance between the piles should not exceed two meters along the perimeter of the building. Piles can be screwed in manually or using special equipment (yamobur), while they are always immersed to a depth below the level of soil freezing (150-200 cm).
Piles for one house up to 60 sq.m. two people can do in 1 day.
Wall mounting
You can facilitate the construction of the foundation for yourself using the frame method of construction. This option is the most economical in this situation.
Wall construction
The inner side of the installed wooden frame is sheathed with timber. At the next stage, a layer of thermal insulation is formed. To ensure the effective functioning of a budget mini-bath in a country house, mounted by oneself, it is necessary to choose the right layer of insulation. The following materials serve as it:
- mineral wool;
- sawdust with clay;
- expanded clay.
Sheathing on the outside with a block house will give an elegant appearance to the structure. You can choose the finish of the building in the same style with the house located on the site.
When choosing materials, it is necessary to take into account their fireproof properties.
Water supply and drainage
In order for a mini-bath for a summer residence to be inexpensive, it is necessary to install an effective, but compact drainage system. For him, a hole is dug nearby with a useful volume of about 100 liters. This is enough for 1-2 people. Inside it, you can put a barrel without a bottom so that the walls do not collapse. It is necessary to conduct a pipeline from the steam room, taking into account the operating time of the mini-bath. For the winter period, the plastic sewer pipe is deepened below 0.8-1.0 m so that it does not freeze.
.jpg)
Draining
To provide a mini-bath in the country with hot water, you need to buy an inexpensive electric heater. It will quickly heat a small amount of water, which will reduce the time to kindle the stove. Containers with water are placed higher in order to use it without additional pumping, and it drained by gravity. In some cases, a mixer is mounted.
The water drain can also be connected to the general domestic sewer system. This option will reduce the cost of additional arrangement of an autonomous drainage system.
Drain communications are laid at a slight angle of inclination so that water does not linger in the cavities. For an autonomous pit, a layer of expanded clay or large gravel is provided at the bottom of the cavity. From above it is necessary to reliably insulate it from freezing. It is enough to lay a layer of soil or clay.
Installation of ventilation
In order for a do-it-yourself mini-bath house assembled to look like in the photo for a long time, it is necessary to provide it with high-quality ventilation. If this is not done, then an unpleasant odor will form inside, which will be difficult to get rid of. With good ventilation, the inner wooden base will have therapeutic and prophylactic properties for a long time.
Ventilation
For a small bathhouse, a glazed window is suitable, which will be located opposite the front door. It can also be seen by simple shuttered openings in the wall. If the budget allows, then buy an exhaust or supply opening of the required dimensions.
Even during the construction of a frame bath, attention must be paid to thermal insulation. It does not matter what the temperature inside the room and the steam room will be, if more than 50% of the heat goes through the walls and ceiling. The main points of heat loss are walls, floor and ceiling. For their insulation, standard heat insulators are used, but with mandatory waterproofing.
Single design
The simplest option is a do-it-yourself framed mini-bath in the country. The minimum structure in terms of dimensions is often limited to a length of 2 meters. Its width rarely exceeds 1.3-1.5 m. The outer layer is lining, and the waterproofing is roofing material. Heating of the room can be carried out with a powerful heater up to 4 kW. It is located next to the stove made of fragments of soapstone or basalt.
Single sauna
Limestone, flint or layered sandstones must not be used as heating stones for the heater.
If space permits, it can be filled with a wood-burning stove. It heats up a small room very quickly.
VIDEO: Mini-bath. The dream of all gardeners! Log cabin 2x3 and dressing room from lining
