How to properly make a steam room for a bath: diagram, steam room design and step-by-step instructions

Building a bathhouse is a responsible undertaking. The pleasure and effect of the procedures performed in it directly depends on this. In this article we will look at step-by-step instructions in which the masters answer the question of how to properly make a good steam room in a bathhouse. It brings true pleasure only with proper organization, so we recommend entrusting the construction to professionals.

How to properly install the device, interior decoration and insulation

The safety and effectiveness of the procedures performed in the bath depends on the quality of the steam room. If you decide to entrust all the work to specialists, the device and the entire structure will be as concise as possible, and safety will be at the highest level.

Design requirements

The main rule is the development of the project. It must meet the following requirements:

1. The key element is the firebox. You can't skimp on it.
2. Before starting work, you need to find out the size of the oven and the number of people who can visit the steam room at the same time.
3. All used space must be calculated as rationally as possible.
4. The room should not be heated in vain.

Dimensions

The ideal ratio of steam room sizes is as follows: ceiling height – no more than 2.25 m, length – 2 m, width – 2.5 m. This room is designed for 3-4 guests. To be able to use the steam room at home, it is important to discuss the following questions with the installers before starting work:

1. Do you need window openings?
2. How do you plan to install the front door?
3. What kind of ventilation system do you want to use?
4. Where and how many benches will be located?

Doors and windows

According to standard designs, there are usually no window openings in steam rooms. However, if necessary, they can always be installed. The optimal window size is 0.5*0.5 m. Professionals most often use the latest generation double-glazed windows for maximum sound and heat insulation.

When installing doors, experts recommend making a high threshold (up to 35 cm) to reduce possible heat loss at the entrance. The door leaf itself should be comfortable and functional, without locks or latches. When choosing a material, it is better to give preference to glass or natural wood.

Exhaust ventilation system

As a preventive measure against mold, all kinds of fungi and reduction of humidity, it is necessary to take care of an effective exhaust ventilation system. This is done at the start of construction work at the site. Its main task is to bring clean air into the room and maintain optimal humidity in the room.

For ideal operation, it is better to choose supply and exhaust type ventilation, so that the supply channel is located near the firebox, and the exhaust is in the opposite part.

Video description

The video will demonstrate how to properly insulate the ceiling in a steam room:

Installation of doors and windows

It is better to avoid any plastic in the steam room. No matter how the manufacturer positions the harmlessness of its products, the danger of releasing harmful substances still remains. Especially with high heat. Therefore, the frames must be wooden. But have a modern airtight seal and double glazing. For maximum conservation of energy resources, triple is perfect.

You will have to spend extra money to install windows. Because the openings will have to be well insulated. It is better to install frosted glass instead of ordinary glass or apply a translucent film to it. This way you can easily get rid of the possibility of spying on the street.

The installation of a bathhouse inside always implies a separate and well-closing door to the steam room. This is a special element and is different from a regular sash. Firstly, the bath door is much lower and narrower in width. Secondly, the loot must be installed on the threshold.

Modern doors to a steam room made of glass Source vyborok.com

In modern baths you can see glass doors that are installed in the opening with a small gap at the bottom along the floor itself. Some experts will argue that a small heat loss in this case is not important. But the classic version of entering a steam room always has a threshold. Traditionally, it reaches up to 30 cm and you have to carefully step over it.

This design completely eliminates the occurrence of drafts and, as a result, reduces heat loss. And for ease of movement, the door must be equipped with reliable handles that do not allow you to get burned when touched. The door itself that allows entry into the steam room must be well insulated with heat-reflecting material.

Device Features

Step-by-step instructions for finishing a steam room, developed by the hands of masters, have many of their own nuances:

1. First you need to correctly calculate the number of shelves needed. It is limited by the number of people who plan to relax in the steam room at the same time.
2. For interior decoration and equipment, it is necessary to use high-quality materials that do not release resins under high temperatures. The ideal option is aspen.
3. It is important to choose the right oven. It can be electric or made of brick, stone or metal.
4. If space is limited, you can make a shower stall instead of a washing room.

Design

To avoid problems and unspecified questions during construction, it is important to correctly develop the design and plan of the steam room. All functional areas should be provided: dressing room, washing room and steam room.

The first also serves as a relaxation room. As mentioned earlier, the second zone can be replaced with a shower stall. If the area and conditions allow, it is possible to allocate a separate room for washing. When developing a steam room project, it is important to determine the size of the stove so that it matches the dimensions of the entire steam room. A proportion comes in handy here: 1 kW of heat energy is used to heat 1 cubic meter of room volume. If we talk about area, then for one soaring person you need to allocate 0.7 square meters. m. Do not forget that insulation will take a few centimeters on each side, take this into account when planning.

If you decide to abandon window openings, you need to pay special attention to artificial lighting.

To insulate the structure, specialists use lining, specialized blocks for wall cladding, etc.

Kinds

It is clear that the choice of window options is relatively small. The steam room is a hot room, even if you are a fan of the Russian bathhouse and don’t raise it above 60 degrees. Therefore, you need to look at the properties of materials in a humid and hot environment.

Plastic

The vast majority considers plastic to be a deliberately unsuitable material for a steam room . But there are those who go against the grain and still put it in the steam room.

ON A NOTE! Objectively, we can say the following: polyvinyl chloride does not like temperature changes, it melts and warps from the heat, and shrinks from the cold. Therefore, it is reinforced with metal to increase resistance to warping and changes in linear dimensions.

It’s definitely not worth putting it in a sauna - it’s hot there. And in a cooler Russian bath - in principle, it is possible, if only you do not take into account the fact that plastic (especially at elevated temperatures) emits all sorts of volatile organic matter . Although... even here there are his supporters who say that he doesn’t smell like anything.

Wooden

Even if plastic warps and changes linear dimensions, then what can you expect from wood, which is known to swell when exposed to moisture and no longer fit into the designated opening, and may crack if dried incorrectly ?

However, wood should be considered the most acceptable material for the frame of a steam room window. First of all, we are, of course, talking about the environment , or more precisely, about the absence of harm to steamers . But here it’s also worth paying attention to whether this wood has been impregnated with some kind of composition or not, whether it’s varnished, and if so, what kind of varnish - there have long been compositions that are applicable in baths and saunas.

Wooden frames can be made either yourself, or to order, or purchased ready-made.

ADVICE! Regarding wood: make sure that there are no distortions that indicate warping during the initial drying stage and choose a species that is least likely to change dimensions under the influence of moisture - linden, for example (although this is very soft wood and prone to rotting). By the way, frames are often made from ash.

From the outside, wood can be impregnated with antiseptics and moisture-proofing compounds. Inside, you should use only what is designed specifically for baths and saunas.

Combined options

The plastic frame can be lined on the inside with wooden overlays. The option is rather decorative, although wood is a good heat insulator . That is, the plastic will not overheat.

The opposite option is a wooden frame, but the outside is made of plastic or aluminum. By the way, they do not affect the change in the dimensions of the tree , because they are attached to it using special clamps that allow the wood to “breathe”.

Double frame - internal made of wood, external made of plastic or aluminum. Let's say right away that this is not a double-glazed window, but simple double glazing. The frames are independent, simply fastened together with special brackets.

This is what the Finns do - wood and double-glazed windows, right in the apartments of multi-storey buildings

If the walls are thick, you can make a wooden false window inside and install a double-glazed window outside. This completely solves problems with heat leakage and also eliminates temperature differences for each material.

The choice of a specific option depends on the temperature inside and the usual frosts for your region. To prevent wood from cracking, it is permissible to protect it with plastic or metal. To prevent the plastic from fading and warping, cover it with wood.

Constructions

There are several window mechanisms that are used not only in the bathhouse:

• turning;
• folding;
• tilt and turn.

If the window can be fully opened in any direction (right or left), then this is the first option. If it only partially tilts towards the opening - the second one. There are also those that combine the first two options, which is regulated by the position of the window handle.

Oven: which one to choose and where to install it

The main element of the steam room arrangement is the stove. The modern market offers 3 types of this equipment.

Metal

Characterized by small size and high performance, it can quickly heat the required area. The heating device requires a minimum of time to heat up and cool down. However, touching its heated surface is extremely dangerous. For this reason, when choosing this equipment, it is necessary to provide reliable fencing to prevent accidents.

Brick

Installed exclusively on a pre-prepared foundation. The dimensions directly depend on the characteristics of the steam room. Disadvantages:

• difficulty in choosing a good stove installation specialist, and as a result the high cost of services;
• mandatory presence of a foundation due to the large mass of the furnace;
• long time for construction;
• slow heating.

Its advantage is long cooling, the formation of light and fine steam, which is ideal for a Russian steam room, safety (even if you accidentally touch it, there will be no burn), and the absence of infrared radiation. Based on this, a brick oven can be installed close to the shelves for long-term heat generation.

Electric

Its main advantage is the absence of hassle with kindling firewood. But it is important to consider that these heating devices are effective only for small rooms, they cool down quickly, and their cost is high. Any faults in electrical insulation can lead to serious problems and short circuits. For this reason, when choosing electric furnaces, you need to carefully check the quality of the electrical wiring.

Stone

Soapstone is a popular and in-demand material today. It is characterized by a high degree of strength, therefore it is durable. The main advantage of this material is uniform and gradual heating of the room. The stove itself is not cheap, but it allows you to significantly save on fuel: after heating for an hour, the heat will remain throughout the day. In addition, such steam has healing properties and can improve your health.

Legends of deep antiquity

No one can say for sure when baths appeared in Rus'. Even in the pre-Christian era, they were a formed and independent product with their own culture and even traditions. Mentions of them can be found during the conquest of Constantinople by the Kyiv squad led by Prince Oleg from the Rurik family. Even then, the Russian steam bath was fundamentally different from its Byzantine relatives, who, in turn, were greatly influenced by Roman baths.

In fairness, it must be said that the bathing traditions of the Roman Empire were a classic reference product that used the most advanced technological achievements of that time for its arrangement. Even after the fall of the Western Roman Empire under the blows of the barbarians, its eastern part continued to profess and use existing developments in the field of hygiene and organization of bathing leisure.

But even such achievements, such chic and brilliance, which were inherent in Roman baths, did not in any way impress our ancestors, who, even in Byzantium, reserved for themselves the right to practice exclusively the Slavic bath rite. There is mention of our bathhouse in the classic written monument - “The Tale of Bygone Years”; sayings about the Russian bathhouse are attributed to Andrew the First-Called himself. European guests of our region, since the time of Peter and Catherine, also left their testimonies about our bathhouse. A product that is colorful, original and unforgettable.

Insulation system inside

It is organized by a specialist in several stages based on the developed project. High-quality performance of these works allows you to reduce heat loss and minimize fuel consumption. First, installers insulate the ceiling, then the walls and floor.

Stages:

1. The surface is thoroughly cleaned, all dust and dirt are removed. After this, a sheathing consisting of bars measuring 5*5 cm is installed. A level is used for checking.
2. Material is applied to the wooden frame for reliable waterproofing.
3. The insulation is being installed. The ceiling is treated with two layers, the walls with one.
4. A vapor barrier is being installed. This can be aluminum foil, fixed to the wood sheathing using a construction stapler and staples. The joints are carefully processed with aluminum tape.
5. A sheathing with insulation and vapor barrier material is installed on the walls, then protection is laid for the wooden lining, which acts as a decorative covering. To finish the floor, you can choose floor tiles or porcelain stoneware.
6. At the last stage, existing holes, cracks, seams, etc. are sealed. For this, silicone or sealant is used.

Thermal insulation of steam room walls

Let's look at how to make a steam room in a bathhouse so that the heat lasts longer. To do this, it is necessary to create the effect of a thermos and insulate not only the horizontal structures of the room, but also the vertical ones. The work algorithm is similar to insulating the ceiling from the inside.

It must be taken into account that a wooden bathhouse made of timber in the first two years of operation shrinks up to 20 cm, depending on the frequency of use of the building. Therefore, when calculating door and window openings, you need to make a height reserve of up to 20 cm, and when insulating walls, use special structural elements.

The first thing to do is to prepare the surface before insulation, clearing it of debris, dirt and dust.

Second, the formation of a wooden frame for the subsequent laying of thermal insulation material. To do this, a sheathing is formed from bars 5x5 cm or 6x6 (depending on the thickness of the insulation) in increments of 50 cm.

If the clapboard cladding is “horizontal”, then the sheathing is done vertically, and vice versa, with “vertical” clapboard cladding, the sheathing bars are stuffed horizontally.

The third stage is laying a vapor-waterproofing film (it is better to use a stapler to secure it) and insulation.

The fourth stage is vapor barrier with aluminum foil, the joints of which are glued with metallized tape.

Installation of shelves and oven

The next answer to the question of how to build a steam room concerns the firebox. It is performed in the corner closest to the front door. According to current standards, the distance between the heating device and the walls must be at least 33 cm. Previously, we have already become acquainted with the types of modern fireboxes on the market.

Heaters made of metal or powered by electricity can be purchased at the store.

To make boards, craftsmen use slats made of oak or aspen. When connecting, it is important to leave a small gap between them. This is necessary for the removal of water and the entry of air. The dimensions and number of shelves depend on the number of steamers and the size of the room itself. Optimal shelves are 1.8 m long and 0.6 m wide.

Top secret

The first to notice the healing properties that the bath has on the human body were the Magi - the most advanced and educated part of the then pre-Christian society. It was they who began to practice the use of two key natural elements, fire and water, and additional ones - medicinal herbs, in their medical practice.

Moreover, there is reason to believe that already at that time such a thing as a physiological clock was known - a certain cycle of occurrence, activation or, conversely, attenuation of basic physiological processes. Unfortunately, the lion's share of the knowledge of that time was irretrievably lost, along with the departure from the historical scene of the pagan religion and its bearers. The basis of the pagan world was maximum unity with nature.

Therefore, the Russian-style bathhouse was performed with maximum use of the gifts of nature. The place was chosen near a water source, logs were provided by the forest, a stone for the heater was provided by a cliff on the river bank, even the cracks between the logs and beds were filled with a mixture of soaked forest moss and resin - the resin of coniferous trees.

Traditions provide for the widespread use of medicinal herbs and roots. The most common ones should be mentioned separately:

• Mint is a well-deserved and revered spicy plant with an excellent mild aroma and excellent properties by all bathhouse attendants. Calms the nervous system and stimulates brain activity. In the pagan era, hunters of large animals, primarily bears, enjoyed the mint aroma in the bathhouse. Modern scientists associate this fact with some suppression of the activity of the human central nervous system, as a result of which all the actions of the hunting party were distinguished by thoroughness and prudence. Excessive nervousness and fuss are bad helpers in such a matter;
• St. John's wort - when a decoction of this herb was added to the hot stones of the stove, a very good herbal background was created. St. John's wort itself does not have a dominant, pronounced aroma, but the abundance of essential oils makes it an indispensable inhaler in the treatment of the upper respiratory tract, and simply as a preventive measure for such diseases;
• Chamomile - unlike mint, was used as a relaxing and tonic. It was chamomile decoction that was the first remedy in the bathhouse for a walker or traveler before they set off on a long journey. The abundance of microelements and muscle fiber stimulants in the aqueous extract of this herb helped to better and more functionally endure monotonous physical activity, primarily associated with endurance indicators. Experts in Volga life claim that the most enduring gangs of barge haulers were from Nizhny Novgorod. They say the workers there knew a centuries-old recipe for a herbal bath infusion, which included elecampane, chamomile, and oregano. The complete recipe has been lost, but enthusiasts are trying to restore it. After all, a bath taken with such a drug guaranteed high-quality work for an average barge hauler for 12-14 days. Exactly until the next bath;
• Horseradish - a ladle of infusion of the root poured onto a heater, drove out any, even the most chronic cold from the body. It also suppressed rheumatoid pain, not without success. True, the principle of application was somewhat different. A birch broom was pre-soaked in the infusion.

Lighting

Most often, bathhouse owners prefer to abandon natural light. For this reason, the organization of artificial lighting is of particular importance. When arranging a steam room, the required number of light sources must be provided. The lamps themselves should not distract from the procedures or irritate the eyes. The optimal points for their location are above the door and above the shelves.

The lighting fixtures used can be recessed or overhead. During their installation, it is important to properly insulate the light bulbs and wires. For this purpose, to protect against overheating, the former are placed in sealed cases, and the latter in plastic boxes. The switch must be made outside.

How to properly make a steam room in a bathhouse

So, we move on to step-by-step instructions according to which experienced installers perform all the work.

Creating a Project

As we have already said, a well-developed plan with all dimensions and descriptions of stages is half the success of a started enterprise. The illustration shows the optimal dimensions:

For each window it is necessary to provide thermal and waterproofing. When choosing a double-glazed window, it is better not to save money and purchase an option with high performance. Well, don’t forget about the ventilation system. After developing a diagram, a drawing of the steam room and a detailed plan, you can already begin implementation based on them.

Insulation

Fuel consumption directly depends on the organization of thermal insulation. The worse the insulation of the floor, walls and ceiling, the more resources are needed to raise the temperature and warm up, so we are sure that the master will do a better job of it. So, the ceiling is insulated first. It can be lined with foam plastic boards. At the same time, they are temporarily fixed to the ceiling and then sheathed with specialized plywood that is resistant to moisture. It can be replaced with any other material that you like best. Insulation is carried out between the beams; here it is important to ensure that the thickness of the slabs is at least 100 mm. A vapor barrier is made on top, and under the tiles the surface is covered with a polyethylene film.

After the ceiling is insulated, specialists begin to work on the walls. Here it is important to correctly assemble the frame, for which a square beam of 0.5 by 0.5 m is used. The step size should be such that sheets of insulating material are placed between the beams. For walls, you can limit yourself to a thickness of 5 cm.

For reliable sealing and protection, installers treat the joints with aluminum tape. And for wall insulation, other materials are used, for example, mineral wool. Otherwise, the process is similar: a polyethylene film or other substance with water-repellent properties must be laid on the base.

Some experts believe that the floor covering should not be insulated. However, if you plan to install a steam room in an area with a harsh climate, it is better not to give up thermal insulation and use wooden flooring or ceramic masonry for it.

Briefly about the main thing

Particular attention should be paid to insulating the steam room from the inside. You need to start with the layout of the steam room, choosing the cladding option and insulation material.

Mineral wool is considered the best insulation; for the floor it is preferable to use expanded clay. Aluminum foil is used as a vapor barrier.

It is necessary to approach the process with great responsibility. Therefore, it’s up to you to decide how to make a steam room yourself or with the help of professionals.

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Floor installation

It is important to choose the right material so that it is not afraid of humidity and temperature changes. Natural aspen is perfect for this. In addition to excellent performance characteristics, it has a pleasant appearance and is easy to process.

Installers assemble the underground according to the scheme presented below:

An alternative material for flooring is ceramic masonry. The tiles are easy to use, easy to clean and easy to maintain.

Conclusion

In this article we looked at how to set up a steam room in a Russian bathhouse with your own hands. As you can see, there are a lot of small nuances here, but if you show persistence and patience, and also take into account the advice, then you will succeed. In the video presented in this article you will find additional information on this topic.

Scheme of insulation and sealing of a chimney for exhaust gases

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What to consider when choosing a heating device

Each type described above has characteristic advantages and disadvantages. Metal furnaces cool down quickly after stopping operation and require serious protective measures and fencing. Brick ones must be laid on a separate foundation. Electric furnaces are distinguished by the absence of a chimney and easy installation, however, they require a special approach and compliance with all precautions.

Choosing a device depends on individual preferences, the size of the room and the desired result. In any case, you can always consult a professional and ask for help with your choice.

Choosing a material: wood versus plastic

In our publications, we never tire of repeating that the bathhouse is a stronghold of exclusively natural materials. However, the steam room imposes very strict operating conditions for the same carpentry products, so there can be exactly three options:

1. Use of plastic windows. It is acceptable if you have a Russian steam bath or Turkish hammam at your disposal. Very high humidity levels and fairly low peak temperatures will minimize the possibility of evaporation of volatile substances that can be harmful to health.
2. Finnish dry steam sauna. Definitely requires the use of wooden structures. Temperatures above 87 degrees Celsius, for most structural plastics, have a negative effect on them, both in terms of maintaining the original parameters and in terms of basic safety for the health of others.
3. This option is for true adherents and connoisseurs of natural materials. The essence is to use a window into the steam room, made from wood of certain, often rare and expensive types of wood, which have undergone multi-level processing and preparation. It is clear that this approach cannot be called budgetary and is associated with large expenses.

Important! On the question of whether it is possible to install a plastic window in a steam room. In addition to the resistance of the plastic profile to high humidity and damage from pathogenic microflora and pests, there is another important aspect. In the vast majority of cases, a window in a steam room of such a system is more energy efficient than its wooden counterparts.

Making shelves right

Previously, we talked about the design of a steam room in a bathhouse, and now we will look at how many levels there should be, their sizes, quantity and on what factors they depend. The best option is 3 shelves located at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other. But it is quite acceptable to limit ourselves to two. If the area of ​​​​the room is small, to rationally use the space, you can make them retractable and add as needed.

When installing, the professional first determines the shape, and then assembles the frame at an angle or straight. Next, wooden panels are laid on the surface. There must be a gap of 1 cm between the panel boards. For their production, you need to use aspen or linden.

One glass or two

To preserve heat in the bathhouse, it is advisable to install double glass. Moreover, it is better - with maximum sealing. But, if the window is installed correctly and there is a pocket for steam, then its effect on heat and steam conservation is not critical. Why then install double frames? Yes, to prevent condensation from leaking. It flows onto the windowsill, then down onto the wall. This is why the tree begins to rot in these places. Under the windows, and the lower crown - this is where fungus and rot appear first. Therefore, double glazing on bath windows is a measure against wood rotting.