When building a bathhouse, many owners strictly adhere to all requirements for the configuration and size of the future structure.
The optimal size of the bathhouse ultimately determines the quality of health procedures.
What should be the optimal dimensions of the steam room and shelves? What ceiling height is important to observe when designing a bathhouse?
What to consider when designing a bath
The key stage in designing a bathhouse is determining the size of the steam room. This value is based on how many people will use it at the same time. It is recommended to make calculations according to the following standard: for a comfortable bathing procedure, one visitor will need from 1 to 2 m². If we take into account all these subtleties, then the implemented project will have the right microclimate - improving the health and improving the mood of its guests.
It is worth emphasizing that there are no standard sizes for a bath. Everyone who decides to build it determines the dimensions based on their own criteria:
- average number of visitors and their growth;
- individual preferences and needs;
- frequency of visits.
For example, for some, a small bathhouse is enough, where they can clean themselves up after dacha affairs. Others are building entire bath complexes, which are designed for spending many hours in good company.
Project of an attic bathhouse with a small terrace Source toolboxprodhouse.com
Conventionally, all baths can be divided into two categories:
- seasonal - mostly used during the summer season;
- year-round - such buildings have an insulation circuit, which allows you to use the bathhouse at any time of the year.
See also: Catalog of bathhouse projects presented at the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition.
The importance of careful calculations
Regardless of what kind of stove is installed in the bathhouse, double-circuit wood-burning, electric, metal or brick, you need to correctly calculate its parameters
It is worth giving clear examples of the importance of the characteristics of a heating unit
- If you choose the wrong stove for a sauna by volume, it will be impossible to achieve ideal steam. If the installation power is insufficient, it is simply impossible to warm up the room.
- An equally unpleasant situation is when the design of a sauna stove deliberately overestimates its power. The steam room will constantly overheat. Therefore, we will have to ventilate it and make visits shorter.
- If you choose too large a furnace volume and quantity of stone for a wood-burning sauna, it will be impossible to obtain stable steam. Without ventilation, the room will become extremely hot. And if you achieve relative comfort by opening the doors and reducing the entry time, you will have to put up with changes in the temperature of the steam, both at the floor and on the top shelf.
There are other difficulties caused by incorrect calculations. In particular, certain algorithms for determining the mass of stones can force the owner of a bathhouse to build powerful supports - scales, the task of which is to withstand significant loads. Therefore, the calculation of the power of a sauna stove must be done carefully, taking into account the nature of the steam room: Russian bath or Finnish sauna.
What types of rooms are there in the bathhouse and their purpose?
The correct layout creates comfortable conditions for visiting the bathhouse. The design of the bathhouse depends on the wishes and preferences of the owners, but has several rooms that create comfort and convenience for taking wellness treatments. The main premises are the steam room, dressing room and washing room.
Individual project of a bathhouse made of laminated veneer lumber Source 9ban.ru
Steam room
The main room for which the bathhouse is being built is the steam room . It should contain a stove, which is made of brick or metal. Shelves are erected in the steam room - they are wooden deck chairs, on which the main procedures take place.
Old seasonal bath buildings do not have a separate shower. Such structures are of modest size, so in order to save space, separate washing rooms were not equipped. But this is bad for several reasons – from banal inconvenience to possible negative consequences, because the combination of soap and high temperature can harm a person.
That is why it is recommended to install a separate shower stall, washing complex or font at the stage of installation of communications, organizing the supply of clean water and the removal of used water.
Design of a washing area in a private bath Source derevodim.com.ua
In most old buildings, water is heated using a tank (boiler), and there is no cold water supply - it is brought in buckets. For this purpose, various types of containers were provided in the bathhouse: troughs and basins, which were intended for mixing water. But if you are not a supporter of traditions at the expense of comfort, then plumbing must be installed.
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in the construction of baths.
Bathroom
Some baths are equipped with a bathroom and opinions on this are very diverse. If the owner of a bath complex wants to equip a bathroom, he should take into account the free space of the building and the possibility of supplying and insulating communications. A dry toilet can also act as a standard toilet.
If the bathhouse has several floors, then on each of them it makes sense to place a separate bathroom with an additional corner washbasin .
Equipped bathroom in a log bathhouse Source parki48.ru
Waiting room
After determining the size of the steam room in the bathhouse, the second significant design stage is calculating the dimensions of the dressing room.
In a classic bathhouse, it acts not only as a dressing room, but also as a relaxation room. This is the case when a large amount of free space makes the room cozier and gives additional comfort. For example, you can install a fireplace, a soft corner, a TV, or even place a billiard table.
In most cases, the dressing room has space for storing firewood and furniture for relaxing after the steam room. Regardless of the size and type of bathhouse, its design is drawn up so that the dressing room is the place from which you can get to the rest of the premises : steam room, washing room, restroom.
Dressing room with fireplace and benches Source sk-vibor.ru
Tambour
If the bathhouse is used all year round, then it makes sense to install a vestibule, which during the cold period helps prevent drafts and helps retain heat indoors.
Large bath complexes are characterized by additional premises: a gym, a boiler room, a broom dryer, a terrace, a swimming pool and others.
Restroom
In each bathhouse, the dimensions of the relaxation room are individual and are calculated depending on the owner’s requests. One is large enough to accommodate a table and bench. Others prefer to install there, in addition to the dining group, a billiard table, a sofa, and a TV.
Everyone's vacation habits and wallets are different. Therefore, there are no standards for the size of the rest room.
Important. All doors in the bathhouse open outward according to fire safety standards.
In addition to the main premises, there are options for a bathhouse with a swimming pool, a terrace, and two-story buildings.
Optimal dimensions of bathhouse premises
When determining the size of the steam room, the most important parameter is the power of the furnace, since it helps maintain the desired temperature at a constant rate. For gas and wood stoves, this nuance is not so important, since they are able to cope with this task even in large rooms. The same cannot be said about an electric oven - if it is chosen incorrectly, then only small steam rooms may have enough power.
Steam room with a 2.5 m high ceiling Source market.sakh.com
Below are recommendations that can help you calculate the optimal size of the steam room:
- First you need to decide on the height of the ceiling of the room . It all depends on the individual preferences of the owner. For example, if he prefers to steam in a sitting position, then it will be enough to add 100-110 cm to the level of the upper lounger - this height will be enough. For procedures with a broom, you need to add at least another 50 cm to create more comfortable conditions. Experts do not recommend making the ceiling lower than 210 cm;
- As for the shelves, in an extended position at full height, up to two meters of their length will be required . If we consider one-and-a-half meter options, then you should take into account that you will have to steam with your legs crossed;
- The optimal size of a steam room in a bathhouse designed for one person is considered to be 85 x 120 cm . The only condition is that the stove is compact in order to prevent the risk of burns;
The types of preferred shelves will help you plan the size of the steam room Source berserkheroes.ru
- If you are designing a more spacious bathhouse designed for two people, then the dimensions of the steam room should be from 1.5 x 2 m. This size is considered the minimum, which will provide sufficient free space for two people, giving them the opportunity to stretch out without touching the stove;
- The standard size of the steam room is 2 x 2 m . The area of such a room can easily accommodate three people.
Arrangement of doors, windows and lighting
The size of the doors is not an unimportant parameter when arranging such a structure. The recommended dimensions of doors with one leaf are as follows: width – 75 cm, height – 175 cm.
To retain heat, the floor in the steam room should be 22 cm higher than in the washing room. It is recommended to install a door that opens outward with a high threshold.
Small and compact steam rooms do not have a window to prevent possible heat loss.
In large steam rooms, it is recommended to install low windows located closer to the floor. The window dimensions are 35x35 cm. It is better to provide a paired method of placing windows on the wall opposite the heating device.
This arrangement promotes proper accumulation of steam under the ceiling and prevents it from mixing with cooled air above the floor level.
When designing a bathhouse, special attention should be paid to proper lighting of the steam room. Lamps should not be overly bright so as not to tire the eyes
It is recommended to choose devices intended for use in rooms with high humidity and temperature changes.
Thus, the most suitable dimensions of the steam room and washing room can be selected, taking into account the maximum number of visitors, their gender and age, as well as the operational characteristics of the heating equipment.
Height of rooms in the bathhouse
The most important condition for a steam room is the presence of a threshold in front of the entrance or the height of its floor should be 10 - 15 cm higher than in other rooms. This will allow you to better retain steam in the room. As for the shower room, here the floor level drops 3 cm compared to the dressing room.
There is a tradition thanks to which the height of the ceiling in the bathhouse is determined. It lies in the fact that the height of the tallest member of the family is taken as a basis and a certain reserve is added, taking into account the scope of the broom . The final value is 2.1 - 2.5 meters .
For those people who prefer to steam on the upper tier, the distance from the shelf to the ceiling should be 1 m or more. If you steam in a lying position, then 50 cm is enough.
Another important condition for a steam room is the level of the top shelf - it should be higher than the stones in the stove. As a rule, the heater is placed at a height of 1 m from the floor, since this creates the most favorable atmosphere in the steam room.
Dimensions of sun loungers in the steam room Source pinterest.com
There are also recommendations for windows in the bathhouse. For example, the lower part of the window opening should be located at a height of 120 cm from the floor level, and in the washing room this figure is 1.5 m.
Required dimensions of elements
The central part of any bathhouse is the steam room. As mentioned earlier, its dimensions are determined by the expected number of visitors, the location of the canopy and the internal arrangement of the oven. The minimum dimensions for one person are 1 square. m. Plus the distance for the stove - 50 cm. The total is 1.5 sq. m. m. From this it follows that for a small company consisting of 3 people, a room of 5 square meters would be ideal. m. Another important indicator is the height of the room. Often it is 2.3-2.5 m, since the tallest human height reaches 2 m.
The bench is considered an important part of the steam room to be used. Its dimensions depend entirely on the square footage of the room and the individual preferences of the owner.
For example, for sitting enjoyment of the steam, the width of the bench should be 45 cm, and for relaxation while lying down, 90-95 cm is quite enough. You can create benches according to the type of racks. The bottom tier is the smallest. Children sit on it or bath accessories are laid out.
Door
Now it is necessary to examine the issue of other structural elements, without which it is impossible to do in the steam room. And first of all, this is the door. In a Russian bathhouse, the doorway should be small in size with a door leaf height of 160 cm. The height of the threshold should be no more than 25 cm, ideally 20 cm. Small dimensions also apply to the width of the leaf. Many owners of bath complexes settle on a steam room door width of 60-70 cm, but designers advise making it 80 cm.
These features of the steam room door of a Russian bath guarantee the collection of steam cake under the ceiling without it exiting through the doorway. In addition, the door must be perfectly adjusted so that the air in the steam room does not cool down. Finns are more loyal when it comes to doorways.
Window
In the steam room of Russian baths, the window is an important element, which is a traditional option for ventilation. During the vaping process, air flows stop moving and air circulation stops. When visitors leave the steam room, it is necessary to ventilate the room; for this, the window and door are opened wide. When building a bathhouse and arranging a steam room, the windows are placed opposite the doorway. But nothing bad will happen if the window is installed on the right or left side of the door.
When installing a window in a steam room, you need to understand that this is not only an element of the room ventilation process, but also an emergency exit. This means that in an emergency an adult must climb into it. But some users do not agree with this statement; they believe that the increased size of the window causes large heat loss. Based on the experience of the owners of bath complexes, the average size of steam room windows should be approximately 40-50 cm on each side.
Shelves
An important element in the design of any steam room is the shelves. Their height depends on the oven. Approximately 5-10 cm is added to the top point of the heating heater - this is the distance from the floor to the shelf. Many users complain that the bench is a bit high and it is quite difficult to climb onto it. To avoid such difficulties, it is recommended to install a small step no more than 20 cm high.
Now you need to familiarize yourself with the calculation of sun loungers in a Russian bath. Traditionally, there are 3 options for sun lounger sizes - 60 cm, 90 cm and 120 cm wide. But this does not mean that it is forbidden to use intermediate values, for example, 65 cm or 80 cm. It all depends on the preferences of the bathhouse owner. The main thing is not to install shelves with a width of less than 60 cm. As for the length of the sun loungers, if you enjoy the atmosphere of the steam room in a lying position with your knees bent, 150-155 cm is enough. For those who like to stretch out to their full height, a sun lounger length of 190-200 cm is suitable.
Ceilings
The question of calculating ceiling heights does not have a clear answer. In a Russian bath, hot steam is supposed to collect under the ceiling. And when you wave a broom, steam accelerates to the corners of the room, you have to add water, thereby cooling the stones. That is why the height of the ceilings in a Russian bathhouse should have a significant mark of 270 cm.
Of course, you can deviate from the recommended figure and make the room height only 2 m. But in this case, it is impossible to guarantee good soaring. However, for those who create a steam threshold, it is preferable to stop at a ceiling height of 240-270 cm.
In the next video you will find a project for a cozy steam room in 15 minutes with material calculations.
Bathhouse layout
Correctly selected bath dimensions do not yet mean the proper level of comfort. It is very important to pay attention to the layout of the premises. For example, not every guest will like having a toilet in the shower room. The most rational solution would be to abandon the washbasin, toilet and shower in favor of a wall-mounted shower with shower buckets, and install a bench for greater comfort.
Bathhouse owners often use closed showers. They prevent splashing of water, which negatively affects the service life of finishing materials, in particular wooden ones.
It is recommended to insulate the floor in the washing room, using a screed to make a slight slope - for better collection and subsequent drainage of water. Non-gloss tiles are predominantly used as flooring, which reduces the likelihood of slipping on a wet floor .
Small seating area in the waiting room Source pinterest.com.au
When designing a dressing room, it is important to arrange the furniture correctly, without blocking all the necessary passages. This can be taken care of at the stage of purchasing tables and sofas. So, a folding table and a small bench with stools will significantly save floor space.
At the design stage of the steam room, special attention is also paid to the layout of the stove - the chimney should be located next to the ridge, for ease of cleaning. For people who like to plunge into a pond or pool after a steam room, the layout is calculated in such a way that the distance from the steam room to the exit from the bathhouse is small.
Optimal bath sizes for 4 people Source pinterest.com
Sink or shower
After the steam room you usually want to freshen up. It’s good if there is a vat of cool water next to the bathhouse. Previously, natural reservoirs were used for this.
Now you can make a separate section in the bathhouse for taking a shower. Or pouring water from a bucket.
- The size of the shower according to the standards is 1x1m or 1.3x1.3m.
- This size is enough to take a shower.
- If desired, the shower room can be enlarged.
Bath furniture
When choosing furniture, special attention is paid to the following nuances:
- Wood . The material must have a low degree of thermal conductivity, density, and also contain a minimum amount of resins. Wood must be resistant to high temperatures and high levels of humidity. The ideal species are linden and aspen.
- Arrangement of shelves in the steam room . Since they are not intended for a seat, their dimensions are: 1.4 - 2 m - length; The width is 0.4 – 1.5 m, and the gap between the steps varies from 40 to 60 cm. The first tier is located at a level of 20 cm or higher from the floor, and the top step is no more than 1.2 m to the ceiling.
- Benches in the steam room . There are three ways to arrange shelves: steps (two to three steps are placed along the wall), L-shaped type (the first and last steps are installed on one wall, and the middle tier on the side) and compartment (two shelves are placed one above the other, the top one which can be lifted).
Useful video
But this video simply talks about the structure of a Russian steam room, but it tells it so kindly that we simply couldn’t resist bringing it to your attention
