Aspen Bath: pros and cons

For the construction of bath complexes use different types of wood, including aspen. Even in ancient times, baths were erected on the basis of this material. But before using aspen for construction, you need to study its features.

Baths made of aspen are some of the most durable. This type of wood easily withstands temperature fluctuations and high humidity. Sauna and steam room made of aspen logs meet the safety requirements.

In Russia, linden and aspen were used as building material. Conifers were used rarely, as resin drops were formed on the surface. Currently, pine and spruce are used to build bath complexes, but the premises are necessarily lined with clapboard.

Aspen is a wood that is easy to handle, this is why it is loved by master carvers. Some used to attribute mystical powers to it: there was a popular belief that it drives away evil spirits and takes away all the negative emotions.

Aspen wood is as easy to work as linden. Its structure includes light thin fibers that do not darken over time. Even when the walls get wet, the wood, once completely dry, regains its original properties.

Aspen is ideal for baths, it has a dense structure and only gets stronger over time under the influence of moisture. It is comparable to birch and ash in terms of impact resistance. In addition, aspen can be cut in different directions without worrying about cracks and chips.

Aspen's tendency to abrasion is comparable to oak, although it is very easy to machine. While the wood is raw, it is quite soft and pliable, and when dried, it becomes stronger than oak.

It is noteworthy that freshly cut aspen is characterized by high humidity - about 80%, so it dries strongly, as a result its mass decreases by 2 times.

Aspen contains specific components that kill various bacteria and repel insects, so it is less susceptible to damage.

Baths of aspen do not require interior decoration, as this kind of wood does not synthesize resins, looks very presentable and is immune to prolonged rainfall, hot humid steam.

Aspen log cabins have both pluses and minuses.

Aspen wood, used for the construction of bath complexes, is in many ways better than lime. It has many advantages. Let us list them.

1. Ease of processing.
2. No need to perform internal and external finishing. Aspen has a beautiful light shade and a unique wood pattern.
3. Moisture resistance. Aspen logs can be used even in the construction of wells.
4. Increased durability. The longer the aspen bath will stand, the stronger it will become.
5. Hygienicity. Aspen contains germ-killing substances and phytoncides that help clean the air and respiratory organs.
6. Resistance to high temperatures. Aspen wood advantageously differs from other types of wood in resistance to high temperatures, so even in the steam room it is difficult to burn on it.
7. Excellent healing properties. Bathing complexes made of this material have a great effect on the body. Aspen improves the quality of steam and disinfects water.

As with other materials, aspen boards have disadvantages.

1. Specific smell. Wood vapors have a special fragrance, and not everyone likes it. But this problem is easy to solve with interior finishing.
2. The difficulty of forming notches in the logs. Careless preparation is fraught with the appearance of cracks, for this reason it is recommended to buy material with "bowls".
3. Difficulty in finding good raw materials. It is difficult to find high-quality aspen wood for construction: mature trees may show symptoms of rot, and such raw material is not suitable for the construction of a bathhouse. Another difficulty is related to the preparation of the material, for this reason many manufacturers use tree tops with a length of 4.5 m.
4. Increased desiccation factor.

Aspen trees have to be barked and skinned. If this is not done, instead of silver-white walls you get raw, ugly spots. To make the surfaces smooth and pleasantly colored is possible by sanding, it should be repeated at intervals of 2-3 years.

Because of the strong drying need to buy only seasoned raw materials, otherwise it will be a strong overpayment, and the construction of the bath will cost a hefty sum.

In addition, when erecting a building from an undried timber, it can significantly deform.

To prepare the building material should be approached with the utmost responsibility. You can buy ready-made aspen logs, but it is better to prepare them yourself.

The advantages of independent logging include several factors.

1. Savings. The purchase of ready-made logs requires a large outlay.
2. The possibility of manufacturing products according to individual dimensions.
3. The possibility of controlling the quality of raw materials.

Aspen usually grows in swampy areas, so its wood is succulent, and the disadvantage is the susceptibility to rotting. The humidity in the air is constantly changing, so it is advisable to cut the wood between February and April, when the buds are emerging on the trees.

Chopped trees are stacked for primary drying. There is no hurry to remove branches - over time, the excess foliage will blossom on them and take away the moisture with which the trunks are filled.

After that, the logs are left to dry, placing them in a shady area. The duration of drying is about 12 months. Note that aspen timber dries very strongly, in addition, it is prone to warping.

It is necessary to make longitudinal cuts and seal the ends of the trunks with clay - this will slow down the evaporation of moisture, ensuring even drying and smooth compaction of the wood.

Once drying is complete, processing begins. With logs remove the bark and grind them, then treated with protective agents, since aspen is prone to rot.

It is not enough to correctly cut aspen trees and harvest them, it is important to strictly follow the technology of construction. The process begins with the preparation of a plan.

Development of a design solution is the key stage of construction. A quality and detailed drawing will save you from errors during the construction of the bathing complex and avoid unnecessary financial expenses.

There are many ready-made bathhouse projects consisting of one or two stories with an attic and a terrace combined with a residential building. You can order the development of individual design solutions in a specialized company.

The most popular are projects of 6x4 and 6x6 m baths. They are compact and quite roomy.

Owners of small plots of land should opt for projects 3x2 and 3x3 meters. Naturally, they are less comfortable in comparison with spacious bathing complexes, but they are compact and take up a minimum of space.

Large projects include additional rooms that increase the functionality of the sauna.

To save space on the plot give preference to 2-storey baths and buildings with an attic. A recreation room or a gym can be arranged on the second floor.

At the stage of preparation of the design decision in advance decide on the area of the rooms, the location of the stove, furniture, routing communications.

Based on the drawing, calculate the amount of materials that will be needed for construction, and form an estimate.

It is best to choose a flat area near a body of water to build a bathhouse. If there is no water source, consider building a swimming pool or installing a baptismal font.

Clean the area from excess vegetation, prepare the soil is not exactly the size of the future building, and with a margin of a couple of meters.

After planning and purchasing of materials, start the construction. It starts with laying the foundation of the future building.

Aspen is quite a heavy and dense material, so the foundation should be reliable, preferably a strip foundation. It is recommended to perform reinforcement with bars, the diameter of which is 12-14 mm.

For the construction of the bath, you can use a bar or a log, or a log with a log cylinder. The process of building with aspen is identical to other types of wood.

Check that the walls are straight by using a spirit level. Do not forget about the preparation of door and window openings.

Interior and exterior finishing is not necessary, but it can be done as desired. The best finishing material for the walls and ceiling is linings, preferably aspen.

The floor in the washing room can be tiled with ceramic tiles.

In the steam room set of furniture should be standard, consisting of a stove and surrounding shelves.

In the washing room, install a shower stall and hang ushaty. The simplest option is a bench with basins.

In the recreation room should be a table and benches, if desired, you can install a massage chair and a table for playing billiards.

Reviews of owners of baths from aspen say that such structures are quite comfortable, it is pleasant to perform water procedures in them. To make the bathing complex durable and practical, follow simple recommendations.

Select aspen logs yourself to have confidence in their quality and strength characteristics. It is important at the preliminary stage, prior to construction, to reject rotten copies.

Only knot-free tops are used for construction work. Parts of the tree close to the root system are short-lived. In most cases, aspen is cut when it is 40-45 years old.

It is desirable to build a bathhouse from logs that have been almost untreated. Raw wood is easier to handle than dried wood.

About the properties of aspen as a material for the construction of the bath, you can learn from the video below.