What is the best way to make a floor in a bathhouse: we understand the nuances and choose the best option

Building a bathhouse with your own hands is a very difficult task, since it is necessary to take into account the numerous nuances of arranging all its premises. These “subtleties” are, of course, determined by the specifics of bath conditions. Specifically, markedly high temperatures and humidity, direct contact of many surfaces to be finished with water, the need to maintain a special microclimate, increased sanitary and hygienic requirements for the arrangement of premises, and some others.

What is the best way to make a floor in a bathhouse?

And one of the most “problem” areas is traditionally the floors. Not only their own durability, but also the comfort of staying in bathhouses as a whole directly depends on how correctly their design is selected and assembled. Therefore, the question of what is the best material to make a floor in a bathhouse from is one of the most important when planning such a construction.

Types of floors in the bathhouse

Let’s start with this, because the durability of the structure, its relationship with sanitary and hygienic standards depends on the correctly chosen material, and we don’t forget about aesthetic aspects. In fact, there are not so many building materials from which bath floors are made. Because the specific operating conditions of the bath space do not allow the majority to be used for purely hygienic reasons. Of course, we also have to take into account the environmental friendliness factor.

Hence there are only two materials: concrete and wood in the form of lumber. Therefore, we will consider both options and decide on their pros and cons.

Wooden bath floors

Wooden flooring is the traditional flooring in Russian baths. Wood has been used since ancient times, but even today it has not lost its relevance. True, we must pay tribute to modern construction technologies, with the help of which the durability of the floor structure has increased, as well as such a modern indicator as thermal insulation.

Wooden floors in the bathhouse Source 2proraba.com

Now the question arises, which board to use for the floor in the bathhouse. The answer is obvious - made from durable wood species with a dense structure. That is, which practically does not absorb moisture and water. Of all that the modern market offers, these are oak, larch and alder. Let’s make a reservation right away: oak boards are not a cheap material. And it’s not always possible to find them. In any case, using them in a bathhouse is the height of wastefulness.

Therefore, larch and alder remain. Both options have high wear resistance. Moreover, the structure of the tree is so dense that the hygroscopicity of the material is practically zero. But even in comparison with others, these two far exceed them in terms of price. Therefore, most country developers purchase pine boards, which they use to cover the floors in bathhouses.

This is one of the cheapest materials with low technical and performance characteristics. Hence the short service life and reduced durability. That is, the characteristics fully correspond to the price. And when the boards are completely out of order, it will not be a pity to say goodbye to them.

Pine boards for the floor in the bathhouse Source stblizko.ru

So, having figured out the floor for the bathhouse – which boards are best to use – let’s move on to other parameters. The first of them is the moisture content of the material. Here it must be said this way - the drier, the better. Boards with a moisture content above 12% cannot be used in floor construction. When they come into contact with moisture, they simply begin to swell, warp and deform.

As for the thickness of the board, there are no special requirements. The thing is that this parameter only affects the step between the lags. Eg:

• if a board with a thickness of 25 mm is selected, then the step between the logs should be 40 cm;
• if the thickness is 40 mm, then the step is 60-70 cm.

Design features of wooden bath floors

It all depends on the room in which the floors are laid. For example, if this is a washing machine, then there are two options:

• solid;
• leaking

The first is a structure made of tongue-and-groove boards, which are connected to each other with a tongue-and-groove lock. The result is a continuous flooring without gaps or cracks. Such flooring must be laid with a slight slope towards the drain. The latter is either a gutter or a hole in the floor connected to a drainage pipe. The hole is usually covered with a grill.

Solid floor in a bathhouse with drain Source i.pinimg.com

The second is flooring, in which gaps are left between the boards. Through them the water goes down and further into the drainage tank.

It should be noted that the solid option implies the assembly of a traditional plank floor at an angle of no more than 5%. This is a slope within 50 mm per 1 m of the length of the board used. It is this angle that creates a safe place for people to be on a wet surface, on which soapy layers often remain. Therefore, when the question arises, which bath floors are better, this should always be taken into account when using wood.

Let us add that solid floors are no different from leaking floors in terms of assembly complexity. In both cases, the strength of the overall structure must be taken into account. But today solid floors are approached from the point of view of insulation. That is, they try to lay thermal insulation material under them, thereby reducing heat loss through the floor base. Let's look at how to make a floor in a steam room in a wooden bathhouse in the form of a continuous flooring with insulation.

Bathhouse with a leaking floor Source srubok.rf

See also: Catalog of projects for wooden, reinforced concrete and stone baths.

Formation of a solid floor

You need to start by laying the joists. Do not forget that the solid floor in the bathhouse should be laid at an angle. To create it, you have two options:

1. Install the logs at the required angle.
2. The upper surface of the joist is trimmed at the required angle.

The second option is a little more complicated in that it is not easy to cut the boards exactly. An experienced craftsman is required here. Or another option is to cut the boards in a carpentry shop. But it's more expensive.

So, if the logs are laid correctly, it is necessary to form planes on which the insulation will be laid. To do this, cranial bars are packed along the lower edges of the logs. How this is done can be clearly seen in the photo below.

Insulation scheme for a wooden floor Source vsebloki.ru

Next, substandard boards or other flat wood material are laid on the bars. For example: plywood. The resulting niches are covered with rolled waterproofing material, on which insulation is laid. From above, the entire structure is covered with another layer of rolled waterproofing, and then they proceed to the installation of tongue-and-groove floor boards.

Now a few words about how to properly make a floor in a steam room, assembling it from tongue-and-groove boards:

1. The first board is laid near the wall, leaving a gap of 8-10 mm. This is a compensation gap that will compensate for the moisture and temperature expansion of lumber. Laying is carried out with a spike towards the wall. For fastening to the joists, galvanized or stainless steel nails or self-tapping screws are used. The fastening is carried out in the groove of the board so that the caps of the fasteners remain inside and are not visible from the outside. The first board is also attached to the joists at the edge located near the wall. The caps will subsequently be covered with baseboards.
2. Parallel to the laid board, at a distance of the width of the boards used plus 50 mm, a wooden strip with a cross-section of 50x50 mm is laid and attached to the joists.
3. Lay the second board, inserting the groove into the tenon of the first board.
4. Pre-made wooden wedges are driven between the second element and the batten, with the help of which the second board is tightly pressed to the first.
5. The second element is attached to the joists through a groove.
6. Dismantle the rail and move it to the required distance. And the whole process takes place in the same sequence. The last board is attached not to the groove, but to the edge perpendicularly.

Is it worth combining a sink with a steam room?

At the design stage of the entire structure of the bathhouse, you need to decide whether you want to equip a steam room combined with a sink, or a separate one. Although, in fairness, we note that such a decision may be dictated not so much by wishes as by objective necessity.

The following factors are important in this matter:

• material capabilities of the developer;
• availability of building materials and other components;
• area of ​​the building plot.

Often, a steam room combined with a sink is equipped when there is a lack of free space and funds.

In any case, even with a small building area, there will be at least two rooms in it. In the first - the dressing room - there will be a locker room, a rest room with the necessary furniture, as well as part of the stove, which will be heated from here. You can choose the design of the relaxation room in the bathhouse in advance. The second room is the washing-steam room itself. A heater is laid out in it, which provides heat, beds are installed, as well as a place for bath accessories - brooms, basins with cold water. Hot water is heated on a stove in a large container.

Despite the apparent inconvenience, a number of positive aspects can be found in this design:

• from an economic point of view, it is cheaper and also requires less fuel for heating;
• The layout of such a steam room is simple and laconic - the stove goes into the steam room with a heating part with a heater, so you can heat water directly on it.

At the same time, one cannot ignore the negative aspects:

• the small dimensions of the room do not allow several people to wash at the same time;
• after each visit to the steam room by a separate group of people, the steam room needs to be ventilated and the stove heated;
• This type of washing is not suitable for people with poor health.

In order to somehow compensate for these shortcomings, you can think of a competent layout, that is, place the washing area slightly lower than the steam room area, so that washing is not so hot.

Thus, if you have a small area for a bathhouse - no more than 16 m2, it is better to make a steam room combined with a sink, since if separated, it will not be comfortable to be in very cramped rooms.

Finishing of a separate steam room and wash room

Video description

The video shows the technology for assembling a solid plank floor:
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in building baths, repairing foundations and installing fireplaces and stoves.

Formation of a leaking floor in a bathhouse

Before making the floor in the steam room in the form of a leaky flooring, it is necessary to form the floor under the boards. After all, the boardwalk is laid with gaps between its elements. Because the water must flow down, collect there and be discharged outside the bathhouse or go deep into the ground. Therefore, several options are offered:

1. The top layer of soil under the wooden floor is removed before installation. Instead, crushed stone up to 50 cm thick is filled in. Sometimes a hole with a diameter and depth of 1 m is made in the center. This is also covered with crushed stone. The negative side of this design is that soap and water gradually fill the crushed stone layer, which is why an unpleasant odor begins to appear from under the flooring.
2. If the bathhouse was built on sandy soil, then you don’t have to fill it with crushed stone. The drainage qualities of sand are already known to everyone.
3. The most difficult option is to arrange a drainage pit, which is located away from the bathhouse structure. To do this, they not only dig and equip a hole, but also make a ditch or lay a pipe up to it. They also carry out concrete work under a wooden flooring with a slope towards the drainage structure. That is, when water gets under the floor, it falls onto the concrete surface and moves by gravity towards the drainage ditch, and then into the cesspool. An excellent option that provides complete isolation of the bathhouse from the sewerage system. But in terms of the cost of construction work, it is the most expensive.

Forming a foundation under leaking floors Source spbmasterstroy.ru

Attention! Some craftsmen recommend reducing the cost of the process of forming a concrete base. To do this, instead of concrete, a layer of fatty clay is laid. It does not allow water to pass through itself well, so there will be no problems with the drainage of the latter.

As for the construction of a wooden floor, the logs are laid with their ends either on the foundation of the bathhouse, or columns of blocks or bricks are erected under them. The process of installing floorboards is simple, because it does not require precise adjustment of the elements to each other. After all, a gap of at least 5 mm should be left between them.

Some craftsmen recommend making the flooring removable. That is, the flooring itself is made in the form of panels, which are simply laid on the joists and are not attached to them. This is done so that, if necessary, the shields can be removed and taken outside to dry. It will also be easier to carry out work under a plank floor if, for example, it is necessary to clean a drainage layer or a concrete base with a drainage ditch.

Removable shields on the floor in the bathhouse Source stroypomochnik.ru

So, what good can be said about a leaking field in a bathhouse? Almost nothing. All efforts to insulate them did not lead to a positive result. Therefore, it is impossible to take water procedures in such a bath in winter. A draft from below will definitely lead to colds. Therefore, it is recommended to use such a room in the warm season.

FAQ

Is it possible to paint a wooden floor in a bathhouse with paint or varnish so that the wood does not darken?

This should not be done for the reason that under the influence of high temperatures harmful fumes will be formed, which have a negative effect on the body. It is enough to dry the floor well and treat it with antiseptics.

What to do if there is an unpleasant smell coming from under the wooden floor?

Definitely disassemble, look for the cause, dry the boards, treat the drainage system.

Do I need to dry the linden boards additionally before laying the floor?

Yes, the wood should be dry, but not overdried. Let the boards rest in the room where the laying will take place for at least a day.

Is it possible to use plasticizers to make the screed harden faster in a bath? Will it provoke the release of toxic substances when heated?

Plasticizers are actually used to speed up the hardening of concrete, and they can be used in a bathhouse without fear.

Tile is much cheaper than floor tiles. Can it be used in a bath?

It is possible, but tiles become very slippery in high humidity conditions, so you need to walk on them in rubber slippers.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the choice in favor of one or another material for organizing the floor in a bathhouse should be made as objectively as possible, taking into account all the advantages and disadvantages. Naturally, everyone wants to do it once and for a long time, but this does not apply to wood flooring. Concrete, in turn, quickly cools down and warms up quickly, and the costs of installing such a floor will be much higher.

Concrete floors

So, having dealt with wooden floors, as well as with the question that interests many - what kind of boards are needed for a bathhouse floor, we move on to wood’s competitor - concrete.

Let us immediately make a reservation that concrete floors in any room are not an easy task and are very expensive, both in terms of financial investments and in terms of the time period it takes to construct them. But by investing a decent amount of money once, you become the owner of a durable concrete foundation that will serve you for decades. However, it is necessary to make a reservation that concrete floors require the right approach to their formation. And this is the only way to talk about the high characteristics of the floor structure.

Before deciding which floors are best for a bathhouse, let’s comment on the positive and negative aspects of a concrete base. Let's start with the pros:

• this is the strongest and most durable foundation;
• it is highly water resistant;
• concrete does not rot;
• practically does not require repair or maintenance;
• a variety of cladding, including laying wooden floors;
• Today, floors are often insulated.

Concrete floor in a bathhouse Source master-vodoved.ru
Now, as for the disadvantages:

• this is the most expensive floor structure;
• the process lasts a long time due to laying the concrete solution in several layers, where each layer must dry well;
• even if you put heat-insulating material inside the concrete layer, the floors will still be cold, the only way out is to install a “warm floor” system;
• unattractive appearance, so the concrete floor base is finished; the simplest option is to lay wooden gratings.

The ideal option is a heated floor heating system inside a concrete floor base. Source plitkahelp.com

Rules for the formation of concrete floors in a bathhouse

Let’s immediately make a reservation that the modern approach to the construction of concrete floors in a bathhouse is a multi-layer structure. You shouldn’t simplify it if you are faced with the task of building a bathhouse for many years. So, what operations will have to be carried out:

1. First, a sewer pipe is laid through which dirty used water will be discharged outside. The pipe is installed with an inclination towards the cesspool or septic tank.
2. If necessary, the fertile layer is removed. Sometimes the soil is simply cleared of vegetation and compacted.
3. They make a sand cushion by pouring sand 20-30 cm thick and compacting it. Crushed stone is poured on top in exactly the same layer and compacted.
4. Then insulation is carried out, for which expanded clay or perlite can be used. Both materials are simply covered in a layer of up to 20 cm and leveled horizontally.
5. Today, penoplex is increasingly used for thermal insulation of concrete floors. Its slabs are simply laid out, thus covering the entire surface. Gaps can be filled with foam.
6. Next, a reinforcing frame is made from steel reinforcement with a diameter of 8-12 mm. The frame itself is a lattice with cells of 20x20 cm. It is better to lay the reinforced frame on stands. That is, it should be somewhere in the middle of the thickness of the concrete being poured. You can use any durable materials as supports: pieces of brick, concrete, pieces of pipe or other profiled steel.
7. The concrete solution is being poured. The screed should be sloping towards the drain hole of the laid sewer pipe. Therefore, it is recommended to pre-install beacons.

Attention! Before pouring concrete, it is necessary to install a damper tape along the walls or vertical planes of the foundation. A small gap will remain, which will compensate for the expansion of the concrete base due to increased humidity and temperature. This is what will save the floor from cracking.

Wooden or concrete: which is better?

There is no clear answer to this question. Everyone chooses for themselves, taking into account preferences, as well as financial capabilities. Let's compare the main advantages and disadvantages of the two options.

It is possible to combine a concrete floor with a wooden flooring, which allows you to get reliable support that is not prone to rotting, as well as a convenient floor covering that can be disassembled at any time and dried outside.

Let's summarize what has been said

So, which of the two designated genders is better? It’s not even worth arguing here, because both wooden and concrete ones are used everywhere. It’s just that everyone sets certain goals for themselves, usually related to the financial situation. If the budget allocated for the construction of a bathhouse is large, then a concrete base can be poured. If there is not much money, then it is better to lay a plank structure. Of course, in the latter case, you will first have to decide the question of which boards are best for the floor in the bathhouse. And here again everything comes down to the financial component.

Providing the wash room with water

Calculation of the capacity of the water supply pipes must be made based on the expected number of people and the area of ​​the future bathhouse, since a sufficient water supply is an important condition for the functioning of the bathhouse.

To provide washing hot water in sufficient quantity, you can choose one of the following methods:

• heating water with a gas heater, if it is possible to supply gas to the bathhouse;
• using an electric boiler.

Thus, if it is possible to connect to the central water supply, then solving the issue of providing water is not difficult.

But if no communications are laid near the bathhouse, the required amount of water for washing all visitors to the bathhouse must be prepared in advance so that everyone can collect the required volume of water for themselves in a separate container.

Therefore, the calculation of the approximate volume of water must be made in advance. Considering that on average one person needs about 7-10 liters of hot water at 80-90 ºС and 3-4 times more cold water, it turns out that each steamer will need about 45 liters of water.

By multiplying the resulting value by the number of visitors to the steam room, you can determine how much water is required. Hot water is prepared in a large vat, leaving it on a stove, which is usually heated with birch wood.

Briefly about the main thing

In the bathhouse, two building materials are used to form the floors: wood or concrete.

If boards are selected, then the floor can be assembled as a continuous covering or laid with a gap.

If concrete is chosen, it is better to insulate the floor using expanded clay or slab material in the form of penoplex. You can install a “warm floor” system.

If you decide to lay a wooden leaky floor, then underneath it you will need to organize either a drain towards the cesspool, or make a drainage layer of crushed stone.

Concrete floors are stronger, more durable, but much more expensive than wood.

Ratings 0

Read later

Disposal of used water

If there is no sewer line to dispose of waste water, it is necessary to construct a drainage well, drainage ditch or pit. For a drainage well you need to dig a hole. Its depth should be twice the level of soil freezing in the coldest season. For a small family bathhouse, a drainage well measuring 90 by 90 or 100 by 100 cm will be sufficient.

At the bottom of the well you need to pour a cushion of loose material about 0.5 meters thick. You can use expanded clay, crushed stone, broken brick or fine gravel. The inlet for the drainage pipe is installed 20-30 cm below ground level.

Bath options

When thinking through the project, you should decide what type and type of bathhouse is supposed to be built. This will allow you to correctly plan not only the placement of the washing room, but also all the necessary premises.

1. One-story budget Russian bathhouse. The building usually consists of a dressing room and a combined steam room and sink.

   
   Layout of a one-story 3x5 bathhouse with a washroom

2. A one-story economical building that includes a dressing room, a steam room and a wash room. This type of building is the most widespread, as it contains more than the minimum set of premises, while maintaining a relatively low cost of construction.
3. A one-story bathhouse with a classic set of rooms. This option contains a steam room, sink, dressing room, locker room and rest room. The construction is not very economical, but it allows you to use the bathhouse for relaxation in its entirety, as well as receive guests.

   
   Layout option for a one-story bathhouse

4. A compact two-story bathhouse, consisting of a locker room, steam room and sink on the first floor and a relaxation room on the second. This design is popular among owners of small plots. If you plan to frequently host large companies in the bathhouse, and the area for construction is small, moving the relaxation room to the second floor helps. In this case, the second floor can be full or attic.

   
   Layout of all floors of the bathhouse with an attic

5. A bath complex that includes the set of rooms that wealthy owners desire. The building can be either one-story or two-story, it all depends on the preferences of the owners. In addition to the standard list of premises, such a complex may contain additional ones, for example: a gym, billiard room, cinema, etc.

   
   Design and layout of a bathhouse with a swimming pool and terrace

6. Placing a bathhouse in a residential building. The bathhouse can be located as an extension or one of the premises of the house. At the same time, owners manage to save the total area of ​​the site allocated for buildings. A bathhouse in the house allows you to easily connect to communications and heat only the steam room. With this option, there is no need to allocate a rest room, since one of the living rooms, for example, a kitchen, can serve as it. Most often, the bathhouse is located in the basement of the house or on the first floor.

Advantages of ceramic tiles

The main advantage of ceramic tiles is the variety of choice, since these products are now available in a wide range. There is a material whose appearance and structure are very similar to natural wood. Or, if the owner wants simplicity, you can choose plain ceramic tiles, without any frills.

After the work is completed, wooden gratings are laid on the tiled floor. This design solution helps reduce the likelihood of thermal shock. You should always remember about the gratings, since wood, especially without the necessary treatment, rots too quickly and becomes unusable. To extend the life of such grilles, they should not only be taken out into fresh air on time, but also treated with an antiseptic in advance.

To add aesthetics to the room, you can not only tile the floor, but also the lower part of the wall. This design solution not only looks very cozy, but is also quite practical, especially when putting things in order.

Filling the wash room

The layout of the washroom largely depends on what exactly it will be.

The minimum content of a washing room consists of a bench, a bench and access to water: hot and cold. This set allows you to significantly save space. In modern bath complexes with a small area, the standard option is replaced by a shower cabin.

Option for designing a shower stall in a washroom

However, the washing room can be more functional if its size allows:

• A little space will be taken up by placing a shower design in the sink - a bucket that allows you to cool down after visiting the steam room;
• Possible placement in a washing font;
  Read also:  Thermal head for a heating radiator - operating principle, different types of devices, how to choose and install
• A larger area will require placement of spa equipment. Quite common are hammam barrels, as well as massage tables. They can be placed both in the washroom and in the relaxation room;
• New trends include salt treatments, snow and sea air generators. It is quite possible to equip a similar corner in the washing room, if space and finances allow;
• Large washing rooms can be equipped with baths with different types of massage, as well as baths with pools of various sizes.

  
  An example of the design of a swimming pool in a washroom

The filling of the wash room depends on the size of the room, purpose and financial capabilities of the owners.

If the layout is considered according to all the rules, before construction begins, all the wishes of the owners can be taken into account in advance and correlated with the possibilities.

If the need to plan a washing room arose in an already built room, you will have to proceed from its parameters.

Insulation materials

In general, the floor in a bathhouse can be insulated with any insulation material. There are rooms with different operating modes and the floor structure may be different. Let's look at the most common materials that can be used to insulate a bath.

• Foam glass (foam glass). Not to say that it is widespread, but it is an ideal option in all respects for any room. Foam glass does not get wet, is not afraid of moisture, frost, can withstand temperatures up to 100°C without problems, does not emit anything, does not burn, does not support combustion. It, like ordinary glass, melts at a very high temperature and does not emit anything. It has very good thermal insulation characteristics; a small layer is needed to achieve the required degree of protection. The material has low vapor permeability and this must be kept in mind when choosing a floor design. There is only one drawback - the price. Foam glass comes in the form of blocks, granules, and you can also find scraps. The most expensive blocks are (about $350 per cube), the cheapest are scraps (about $40 per cube). Blocks can be placed between the logs, granules and trimmings can be used as backfill. This is a much more effective (but also more expensive) replacement for expanded clay.

  
  New technologies bring new materials. For example, foam glass is almost ideal as insulation

• Expanded polystyrene (not foam). The best option is extruded polystyrene foam. It can be placed in the screed or between the joists. It has excellent thermal insulation properties and does not absorb water (or rather, it does, but in a very small amount). Up to a temperature of 95°C it is environmentally safe, but above that it begins to release not the most beneficial substances. In relation to floor insulation in a bathhouse, it can be installed in any room. The floor is not walls and it simply has no chance of heating above 40°C. But polystyrene foam is flammable and vapor-proof. That is, good ventilation is needed.

  
  How to insulate floors in a bathhouse and with what depends on how you are going to make them

• Mineral wool.
• Stone wool can only be used in dry rooms. She will work great here. It is better to insulate the floor in a bathhouse using a different material. If you want mineral wool, look at glass wool. The humidity in the bathhouse is still high. If wet stone wool freezes, it does not restore its properties after freezing, but immediately loses them by 40%. So after two frosts there will be nothing left. Just rubbish that doesn't affect anything at all.

  
  Glass wool is very itchy, but is not afraid of moisture, which is very important in a bathhouse

Working with glass wool is difficult and difficult. It pricks even through overalls. But she is not afraid of getting wet. It also slightly reduces its properties when wet, but after drying the characteristics remain almost unchanged.

From old memory, many still remember such insulation as expanded clay. Until there was an alternative, it could still be considered insulation. Now, to replace a layer of mineral wool with a thickness of, for example, 8 cm, you need to pour 40 cm of expanded clay. Yes, it is cheap, but it is afraid of water, which makes it completely unattractive.