All you need to know about brick baths

Sturdy, reliable and durable are bathhouses built of brick. They are not only practical, but also attractive structures, capable of becoming a site decoration. Below we will learn more about brick baths and consider how you can build such a construction with your own hands.

Many people can't imagine life without a good bathhouse. Today, they are most often made of logs, chopped beams or other types of wood. However, the bath can be built not only of wood, but also of brick. This is a popular building material that has many positive qualities. Let's consider what advantages brick structures have.

• The main advantage of brick baths is their fire safety. These structures do not support combustion and do not ignite themselves. These are very important properties for baths, where there are high temperatures and a high risk of fire.
• Brick baths are environmentally friendly. The construction material itself is made without the addition of harmful chemicals that can be released when heated. In such a construction, the health of the users is not threatened.
• Brick is not subject to rotting. In addition, baths made of this material do not become a source of fungus or mold. This is an important advantage because most modern baths are built of wood, which is susceptible to all of the above ailments.
• A brick bath will not have to be regularly treated with antiseptics and other protective solutions, many of which are expensive. Without additional treatments, this material will not begin to deteriorate and lose its positive qualities.
• The buildings under consideration do not give shrinkage. Owners do not have to spend months waiting for the building to shrink so they can move on to all the interior work. Here the finishing can be engaged immediately after the completion of the construction phases of construction.
• Such baths are considered easy to build. The process of laying bricks is clear and simple, so inexperienced masters often take on such work and achieve very good results.
• A brick bath can have any size, shape and configuration. Working with brick, the builder can let his imagination run free and develop his own interesting bathhouse project, and later implement it in life.
• The structures under consideration can boast of durability. A brick building can stand on the ground for a very long time (up to 150 years), so for its lifetime the owners will not have to worry too much.
• It is impossible not to note the attractive appearance of brick constructions. If the bath was made accurately and according to all the rules, it may well become a decoration of the site.

They are not afraid of temperature jumps, or moisture, or precipitation. But there are weaknesses of such buildings, which should also be taken into account.

• It is necessary to take into account the hygroscopic nature of bricks. Over time, this building material absorbs moisture into its structure, so you can not neglect the installation of waterproofing and vapor barrier.
• This material is characterized by high thermal conductivity. For this reason, the owners will also have to take care of quality insulation. If this point is neglected, users will spend a lot of extra fuel and time to fully heat the sauna.
• For brick buildings is very important strong, sound foundation. If a wooden construction, it can be the most simple and even lightweight, but for the brick construction requires only a strengthened, high-strength foundation.
• Considered the constructions can not boast a good vapor permeability. Saunas, lined with sand-lime brick, the transmission of steam is much worse compared to wooden constructions. Before putting into operation such constructions are recommended to treat with a special waterproofing solution, as well as provide good ventilation.
• Construction of a brick bath can cost much more to the owners The construction of a wooden building of exactly the same dimensions.

As mentioned above, more often people turn to the construction of wooden baths. The use of wood in the manufacture of such constructions is a classic solution. But also brick constructions have many positive characteristics, for which they are chosen. So which option is better? Let's compare structures made of wood and brick and find out what their main differences are.

• Brick erection attracts users with its fire resistance, but a wooden bath can not boast of such qualities. Even if wood is treated with special protective agents, it will still be prone to fire, which cannot be said about brick.
• For wooden baths does not always require a strengthened and deeply buried foundation. For the same frame structures it is not necessary at all. Brick buildings should not be left without a foundation. Moreover, it must be highly durable and as reliable as possible.
• A building made of brick does not need to be treated with protective materials, because it does not rot, is not covered with mold or mildew, and does not become a target for parasitic insects. Wood also has to be periodically dampened with antiseptics, so it does not rot, does not deteriorate under the influence of high humidity and is not destroyed due to attacks of pests.
• Brick buildings are more durable and resistant to wear and tear than wood.
• In most cases the brick buildings are much more expensive than the wooden variants, even if their dimensions and area are the same.
• A sauna made of brick will take much longer to heat up than one made of wood. Brick itself is not the most heat-intensive material, which cannot be said of wood.
• In buildings made of wood there is good water vapor permeability, which is not present in brick buildings.
• It is not uncommon for buildings made of wood to be built much faster than those made of brick.

For the construction of a high-quality and reliable bath is allowed to use different types of bricks. Let's take a closer look at the most popular and practical options.

• Of red. Red ceramic bricks are recognized as environmentally safe. It produces very attractive and durable structures with good heat and sound insulation characteristics. Red brick is not afraid of rain and snow or temperature changes, so it is suitable for the construction of a reliable bath.
• Of white (silicate). This type of brick also belongs to the environmentally safe. It is used for both single and facing masonry. The material is highly durable, not afraid of frost, it is characterized by excellent soundproofing properties. However, it should be taken into account that the silicate brick is characterized by low specific weight and poorly tolerates high levels of humidity, which is not very good for the bath. Because of the disadvantages of this type of building material is not recommended for the construction of a bath structure.
• Of yellow. This is a facing type of brick, is distinguished by its attractive appearance. Bath, lined with yellow bricks, looks expensive and presentable. Work with such building material is necessary in the warm season. Yellow bricks come in ceramic, silicate, clinker and hyperpressed.

Many users decide to build a quality bath from block material. As a result, it will be possible to get no less reliable and attractive construction. The main thing is to consider all the nuances of working with the selected materials.

Let's get acquainted with some interesting projects of brick baths.

• The building can be relatively small - 6x4 m. In a square-shaped structure, you can fit a large relaxation area separated by a partition from the dressing room. At the opposite wall it is advisable to equip a steam room and washing room, separated by a slab.
• If you want, you can make a nice house-bath measuring 8.90 x 12.40 m out of brick. The layout of the structure should provide such important rooms: in one half - sauna, shower room with toilet and sleeping room, and on the opposite half - kitchen and a spacious recreation room. In such conditions, the housemates can not only rest, but also live, since everything they need will be here.
• Brick can make a wonderful mini-bath measuring 3x3 m. In such conditions it will be possible to fit only the recreation room, separated by a wall from the washing room and the steam room.

You can build a good-quality Russian bath from bricks with your own hands. The main thing is to keep the step by step instructions at hand and act carefully, then you can get very good results. Let's consider step by step how to properly build a quality bath from bricks.

When you have in your hands a completed project of the future erection, you should proceed to the preparation of the foundation for it. It must be reliable and strong. The strip foundation is the best solution.

• First it is necessary to choose and carefully clear the area where the foundation will be prepared. It should be cleared of all debris, weeds and bushes.
• Based on the project, you will need to mark the area under the foundation. Stakes are placed in the corners and along the walls. A string is stretched between them.
• Next, a trench is dug with a depth of 0.3-0.8 m and a width of 25-40 cm. At the bottom you need to lay a layer of sand (10-20 cm) tamp it.
• On the sand poured crushed stone, wet it and also tamped.
• On the resulting cushion laid a couple of layers of waterproofing. Install the boarded formwork.
• Inside the formwork put reinforced base made of metal bars with a diameter of 1.2-1.6 cm. The rows should be tied with a wire.
• The inner half of the formwork must be moistened.
• Next, cement mortar is poured inside the prepared structure.
• The formwork can be removed after 5-14 days. During the first few days it is better to water the fresh foundation about 3-4 times a day. It is worth pouring a 1 m backing of clay and crushed stone. The cement will harden in about 28 days.

After waterproofing the finished foundation, you can engage in the construction of the walls. The most popular is the system of single row dressing. It involves the alternate construction of dowel and spoon rows of bricks.

There are several ways of masonry walls made of bricks.

• Solid. With this method of laying bricks in 2 rows without gaps between them. The masonry will be very strong.
• With a ventilation gap from 40 to 60 mm.
• Lightweight. The method in which the masonry is composed of 2 walls with insulation between them.

You can resort to lightweight masonry. The walls begin to do with the corners. First lay the first 6 rows in the corners. Along all the rows, a cord is stretched out. It is necessary to wrap nails, which will be inserted into the joints between the bricks - so it is determined by the level of evenness of masonry. The plinth is best constructed of solid bricks, and the walls - from hollow bricks.

The roof can have 1, 2 or more slopes. To make the construction of a brick bath more durable and reliable, it is desirable to mount a reinforced belt on top. To do this, it is necessary to prepare the formwork around the construction, put a metal crate, and then pour the concrete solution. After 2 days, remove the shields and knocked down the excrescences. When the top gets the desired level of strength, it will be necessary to lay a layer of bitumen mastic, and then lay out the roofing felt. On the armopoyas fix mauerlat - a bar with a section of 10x10 cm.

Then mount the rafter system for roofing materials. Fix this component so that it rests on the mauerlat. Fasten purlins, waterproofing and roofing decking. Of the area of the bath must podbivaniyu rough ceiling base by means of boards, and then install a foil material - vapor barrier. On the side of the attic room lay a membrane vapor barrier, fix in the space between the joists mineral wool. Then the thermal insulation layer is covered with a vapor barrier.

The area in the inner part of the brick banya will need to be covered with sand and well compacted. At the level of the socle lay wooden bars, which will play the role of the foundation for the future floor. It is best to use a log that has a section of 25, 15 or 10. It should be secured by anchor bolts to the foundation or angles to the wall of the bath. In the lower part it is necessary to nail boards that will hold insulation. The surface is covered with waterproofing and mineral wool is laid. On top of lay another layer of waterproofing, and then lay the rough flooring.

For the bath to be beautiful both inside and outside, it must be properly finished with good materials. Owners should think in advance about the future design of the construction. In the steam room, the walls should be covered with aluminum foil - this will be the vapor barrier. On top of it nailed crate of timber (section 5x5). It is necessary to pull the electric cable to the corrugation and build a conclusion for the lamps. On a frame base is carried out installation of linings. The best options are materials made of larch or oak. Then the attachment of shelves is carried out.

Rest rooms and pre-bathroom can also be upholstered from the inside with clapboard, and maybe even with block house. It is always necessary to make a frame base beforehand.

If the masonry wall structures in the bath are implemented by means of a special well method of additional insulation inside, then there will be no need for external cladding, because its role will be played by the facing type of brick. In all other cases, the walls are equipped with insulating layers (most often made of mineral wool), securing them with dowels of plastic or adhesive mixture. After this stage, carry out installation of sheathing. It can be metal or wood. The latter is trimmed with siding, clapboard or block house.

A brick bath can have the most diverse design and internal arrangement. Competently erected construction can adorn the site and become a favorite place for rest for all the household and their guests. Moreover, if everything is correctly calculated, you can build a beautiful house-bath from brick, where you can live as in a conventional house.

Let's look at some successful ready-made examples of baths made of brick.

• Very beautiful and rich will turn out a bath house made of dark red brick with a green three-slope roof. The building will take on an even more spectacular appearance if you combine it together with a pergola, made up of brick columns of small thickness and snow-white railings passed between them. The gazebo can be complemented by a roof of green shade, as on the bathing structure.

• Buildings erected from quality yellow bricks look modern and stylish. Such a brick bathhouse can be complemented by a roof with dark decking and dark window frames. The result will be a very effective contrast.

• A small, but very cozy and reliable bathhouse will turn out from a combination of bricks of orange, yellow and burgundy shades. The design can have a regular rectangular or square shape. The structure can be equipped with dark metal doors, plastic window frames imitating wood, as well as a dark single-pitch roof.

• The gray brick bath will look spectacular, made in a modern style. The entrance area should be supplemented with a large covered veranda with a brick oven installed in its territory. Here you should also place wooden tables and chairs - you get a great place to relax in a friendly company.

• A small red brick bath will look neat and aestheticIf you equip it with a burgundy double-pitched roof and a dark brown front door. The building will be simple but attractive.

About which bathhouse is better - of brick or log cabins, see in the video.