All about barrel baths

Many owners of country houses dream of their own bathhouse, which would not take up much space, but delivered maximum pleasure and was comfortable. Well, there is a great option for solving the problem - a bath-tub, which has its own advantages. This device can be built by yourself according to the instructions and take bathing procedures at any time of the year. We offer you a description of this construction, as well as recommendations on the selection of materials for construction without assistance.




Arrangement
It is impossible not to agree that many people like bathing procedures, because it is a great way to rest and relax, as well as to strengthen immunity and take care of their own health. But not everyone has the opportunity to build a full-fledged construction, which can take up a lot of space, in addition, it requires a serious monetary investment. That is why You can consider the option of a bath-tub, which has its own characteristics. First of all, this design is characterized by compactness, while it is quite functional, interesting and affordable.

From the name it becomes clear that the bath is arranged in the form of a barrel, and this is an interesting solution. It owes its origin to Japanese masters. We are talking about a santo, which reminds us of a deep container in which several people can sit. However, the Finns did not stand aside either and decided to build something similar to the Japanese furo, so they put the barrel horizontally, having enlarged it several times.
It is worth noting that the construction consists not only of a sauna, there can be equipped with a recreation area and changing room, it all depends on personal preferences, the size of the room and your own imagination.


Pros and cons
The main advantage of such a construction is environmental friendliness, as it is made of natural wood, which does not harm either the environment or human health. For the construction, high-quality species are chosen, which are characterized by a long service life, durability and reliability. In addition, the wood is not able to heat to such a state that it burns the skin, and this is a big plus.



The loss of space is minimal due to the dynamic shape, which means that the load on the stove will be low. To heat such a bath well, you can use up to ten logs and achieve the desired temperature.

Adaptability is another advantage of the barrel, because it can be installed not only outside, but even inside. Such constructions are equipped not only with wood stoves, you can put an electric heater inside. Today you can find a huge number of bath projects for every taste with the most custom sizes, so everyone has the opportunity to pick out what he likes personally.
Barrel will last a long time, if properly maintained and cared for, as discussed below. The winter bath will be a great solution, because the procedures strengthen health, relieve stress and increase tonus.

It is worth noting the ease of assembling the construction, if you want to do it yourself. The presence of unique articulated components of a semi-circular profile ensures easy installation. Perhaps this is one of the main advantages that distinguishes the barrel from a conventional bath. Low weight of the components allows you to work by hand without any machinery. The structure can be installed on a stable surface, fill the area with concrete or compact the soil.
If we talk about ready-made versions of the construction, a lot of attention is paid by the manufacturers to the details. Already ready-made set can be assembled on their own within one day, then take care of decoration, both inside and outside. Many constructions have a warm floor, which increases comfort. Also the construction is equipped with benches, can have a small pool and a seating area with a table inside.
As for the disadvantages, it is one - cramped, as often barrels are chosen by those who want to save space or can not afford a full bath. However, this is a minor disadvantage.

Materials
Here it should be noted that not all wood is suitable for the construction of any bathhouse, but only some species. For comparison, you can take larch, pine and cedar, which are the most popular conifers. They have their own distinctive characteristics that affect construction. For example, the most valuable species is Siberian larch, which has resin impregnation and has an antiseptic effect. However, it has a disadvantage - high heat content, in addition, it is an expensive species. That's why often larch boards are used as flooring and walls. For the rest it is better to choose other species.



Cedar is considered the most medicinal wood, the structure is dense, so it is not subject to rotting, which is a big advantage. Also the resin of the species is considered therapeutic. A bathtub made of this material will smell nice and create a great atmosphere during evaporation. Cedar has a low thermal conductivity, so the walls will retain an optimal temperature. Thus, this species should be chosen if you actively use the sauna in winter.



As for pine, it is easy to handle, so many manufacturers choose this log cabin. Resistance and durability is not the same as that of cedar and larch. But it is an affordable building material that will smell nice. Baths made of pine are suitable for use in the warm season, as in winter it quickly cools down. It is worth noting that the wood should be well treated with a special antiseptic to prevent the process of rotting.


To independently build a barrel bath, it is necessary to prepare lumber. You will need a timber, which performs the task of the body. Specialists recommend choosing a section with a value of not less than 100x100 mm. As for the thickness of the board, it all depends on the size of the bath and other characteristics.
Since in such a construction can not do without benches and pallets, you will need wood, presented in the form of grids. The number of boards and beams should be calculated in advance, taking into account the dimensions of the construction. Choose high-quality and reliable materials that meet high standards and will last long enough.


Types
Russian
Perhaps this is a classic version of the bath, which everyone is familiar with. It consists of a washing room and a sauna, but you can also equip a rest room, if there is enough space. Such a construction involves the use of water, so it is necessary to take care of the drainage system, it is important to do it at the stage of preparation of the project. This step plays an important role, because it determines whether water will not stagnate, so make sure the structure will be sloped. During the design and construction, it is necessary to install a furnace between the wash room and the sauna.

Part of the heating equipment should be equipped with a tank in which water will be heated, which goes into the washing room. As for the steam room, there is a tank with stones, which are heated by the furnace. To ensure safety, the construction is fenced off. It is not necessary to install a large stove, in addition, the mobile bath-tub is a small structure, but it is important to cover the equipment with heat-resistant material that will retain heat for a long time.


On dry steam
Such a bathhouse should be installed near a swimming pool, natural reservoir or fonts, to have direct access to water. Many experts focus on the fact that the round sauna is easier to organize than to deal with the arrangement of the steam room. To do this, you will need to ensure that the structure is airtight, to make sure there are no cracks.
A small hole should be made in the roof of the bathhouse, which would be closed with a gate valve. As for drainage, it will not be necessary in such a structure. Inside the room you can install benches, and put a stove with a heater, which will be heated.

Japanese
This variety is also very popular because of its simplicity and the main feature, which is the complete absence of the roof. Thanks to this, holidaymakers can enjoy the fire, the fresh air in the wintertime and even the starry sky.


It is worth noting that Such a barrel will be slightly elongated in shape, it is made of wood and is installed on the decking. Inside the room has wooden benches and a stove. The latter must be taken to a safe distance and equipped with a partition to prevent burns.

Such baths are called "ofuro", they attract special attention. It is important to note that The only disadvantage of this construction is the high consumption of fuel, because you will need to keep the water heated regularly.
Today's mobile bathhouses come in a variety of shapes, so if you like the standard square one better, it's easy to build one. In addition, the structure can be upgraded to attach wheels to make it easier to transport.
Thus, the barrel bath can be called a great solution for anyone who dreams of having their own sauna on the plot with minimal investment.



Projects
We are talking about a small-sized construction, which is offered in a barrel-shaped log cabin. Some manufacturers have nicknamed the bathhouse a thermos, which has a door. Inside, it is necessary to install a stove, which works not only on wood, but also on electricity, everything depends on personal wishes. Despite the fact that the room is positioned as a compact, if you want, you can increase the space so that it is not cramped.


Before building it is necessary to prepare a project of the structure, taking into account all the details. The first thing to do is to calculate the length of the barrel, because this figure affects the comfort of the procedure. If we are talking about a bath with a length of 2 m, inside there will only be a sauna without a pre-bath, and you will have to change clothes under a canopy or at home, running into the steam room. But if there is an opportunity to build a full bath, the possibilities expand.


If the building is 3 or 4 meters, it is already possible to arrange a small dressing room and at the expense of the increased space to install benches, to increase the comfort of the room. Of course, if we are talking about 6 meters, it is possible to get a terrace, make a shower room with a toilet, the main thing - to develop the right layout. In such a structure you can make a steam room, a recreation zone and a washing room. As for the bigger bathhouse, there's no point in making it so oversized. The entrance can be sideways or in the middle of the building, it all depends on personal wishes.


It is necessary to make drawings of the future bath, because it is a plan of the construction, according to which you can work step by step. To organize the interior space, you can draw the room in a section - this will help to understand where and how to arrange everything. As for the diameter of the barrel, it all depends on the height, but you should not make it less than 2.2 m. If you observe these parameters, everyone will feel the most comfortable inside. In addition, if you increase this figure, you will need a higher consumption of materials and heating, so it is not reasonable to make the barrel in the country house too high.


Of course, If you do not have such a large area, you can make a sauna mini, which will be convenient, comfortable, but compact. It is enough to equip a steam room, perhaps a small dressing room, and you can enjoy the procedures at any time of the year. Today offers a variety of forms of this construction, the bathhouse can be angular, square and even triangular, it all depends on your own taste and imagination. Inside the room can be equipped with a shower, and outside - a pergola.




Construction technology
Making a bath-tub with their own hands will not take much time. We offer you a scheme of erecting the structure without outside help. You can build the room in a short time and soon enjoy the fruit of your hands. In addition, today you can buy a kit for the assembly of such a bath, which greatly simplifies the process.


Foundation
One of the main advantages of a homemade barrel is that it does not need a powerful foundation. You only need a special base made of wood. And to strengthen the structure and increase reliability, you need to make sure that the surface is perfectly level. The base must support the structure above the ground and withstand the load. To do this, it is enough to use several wooden elements in the form of boards 30-35 cm wide and 4 cm thick. For cutting it is recommended to use cutters.

Depending on the length of the structure, the number also increases. On these elements it is necessary to make a recess that would fit the arc of the future barrel, because the lower boards of the room are attached to them. These stands are placed at the same distance from each other. Make sure that after the elements are fastened, the structure is level and rigid.


Walls
As for the walls, their shape must be perfectly flat. Windows will have to be placed in the back of the bathhouse, and the door is installed in the front. The bars must be fixed perpendicular to the structure. A square with equal sides is assembled from the boards, a circle is drawn from the middle and sawed out with an electric jigsaw. Then it is necessary to mark the locations of windows and doors in order to saw the openings.



The next step is to prepare the boards, which are intended for cladding the walls of the bath. To do this, it is necessary to cut grooves equal in width to the parameters of the boards from which the back and front walls are made. As for the length, a centimeter will be enough. The round bottom of the barrel is inserted into the grooves. If your sauna consists of two compartments, you will need three slots, the last of which will serve as a partition.


Windows and door.
It's important that everything closes tightly and ensures that the rooms are airtight. If you have a large barrel, you can make panoramic windows that will provide a beautiful view. It is better to order such a construction at the manufacture, providing clear parameters. But the installation can be done with your own hands, it will not be difficult.


Insulation
This is an important stage in the construction of the bath, if we are not talking about a barrel. Due to the fact that there is not much space in the room, and the boards are thick enough, the construction does not require additional insulation. Practice shows that after heating the bath to 90 degrees behind a closed door, the air will cool for about two hours. However, if you want, you can take care of insulation, using in the steam room felling, which will prolong the cooling time of the room.


Finishing
To protect the sauna from the effects of weather conditions, it is necessary to apply a special compound on the outside. Inside, however, the structure is impregnated with linseed oil, which does not affect the health - this will prevent deformation and the emergence of cracks. To ensure quality air exchange, you need to make a removable lattice of wood with centimeter gaps. This will help the room to warm up better and faster, and the water drain will go down the side of the ramp, and the boards will quickly dry out.
Benches can be installed along the bathhouse, and a table can be placed in the anteroom to make a sitting area where you can sit with friends. It is important to note that all wood parts require sanding.




Furnishing
This is the last stage of the construction of the arched bath. It is necessary to build a hole in the floor, connecting it to a pipe, so that the water can flow freely into the sewer. Of course, the most important element of the bath is the stove and the chimney, if it runs on wood. Heat-resistant material is used to insulate the pipe. Then you need to connect the water tank, if you want to connect the water supply, install a shower and make electrical wiring.
If the operation of the bath is planned all year round, it is necessary to install a steam generator and make waterproofing. If desired, some people buy a font, which is placed near the barrel, to dip into cold water after visiting the steam room.




How to take care?
Taking care of the bath does not take much time and effort. After all the procedures are done, the room should be well ventilated if we are talking about the summer season. The main task for prolonging the life of the structure is to dry all surfaces and not let the wood rot.
It is advisable to take care of the wood twice a year using special sauna products. We are talking about protective antiseptics with wax, which creates a top layer and does not allow moisture to affect the structure of the material.


What is the right way to heat it?
It is better to use firewood not from coniferous trees, and keep the stove door closed to prevent ignition. You will also need to make sure that the chimney pipe is not too hot, this can lead to a fire.


During the operation of the steam room, you need to follow all safety rules. Water should not get on the glass of the heating device. It is extremely important to clean the chimney of soot every quarter and check to see if the elements are burned out.

Beautiful examples
We offer you examples of projects of bath barrels, which you can build yourself and put on your own plot. You will be able to consider the layout inside, as well as understand how the structure looks like outside to choose the most suitable variant for yourself.



