Sauna in the house: layouts, projects, what the floor should be + instructions on how to make a home sauna with your own hands (all stages of construction)

Features of a sauna inside the house

A do-it-yourself sauna in the house has some features that must be taken into account when planning this washing and relaxation complex:

A Finnish sauna can be heated not only with wood, so it is characterized by increased fire safety.
The sauna does not require a separate building and does not take up much space: 3 square meters can comfortably fit up to 4 people, and a 5-meter room can accommodate 5-6 people.
The ideal ceiling height is considered to be 2.1 meters. This allows you to install standard doors, avoid hot drafts, create cozy air circulation, and maintain optimal temperature and humidity.

Unlike a traditional bath, the sauna does not require water supply: the shower and washing area are located in a separate room.

Calculation of materials for construction

First of all, you need to calculate how many floor boards you will need. For example, we will consider a sauna measuring 3.7x3.7 m. To make a floor in it, you need to prepare 25 edged boards.

Edged floor board

Standard board dimensions: thickness - 0.5 cm, width - 15 cm, length - 4 m.

Accordingly, 4 x 0.15 x 0.5 = 0.03 m3 is the area of one board.

The width and length of the sauna is 3.7 m, so to install the floor base you need to prepare 25 boards 15 cm wide and 4 m long.

To arrange the ceiling in a bathhouse, you need 38 boards of lining. The calculation of the material is carried out according to the same scheme. The thickness of one board is 22 mm, width is 100 mm.

In order to complete the interior decoration of the sauna and install partitions, you need 22 mm thick lining.

Linden lining is suitable for a sauna

If you plan to place the boards vertically, you will need approximately 153 boards.

Standard dimensions: board length - 3 m, width - 10 cm, thickness - 2.2 cm.

3 x 0.01 x 0.22 = 0.01 m3 - the area of one board.

Next, you need to calculate the area of the sauna walls: the height is 2.1 m, and the length, taking into account the partitions, is 24 m.

2.1 x 24 = 51 m2

There are 3 boards in 1 m2, respectively 51 x 3 = 153 lining boards for the entire steam room.

To perform a vapor barrier on the internal walls and ceiling structure, you can use various materials, among which vapor barrier film and breathable membrane are especially popular.

Vapor barrier of sauna walls is required

For a sauna 3.7x3.7 m, 44 m2 of material will be required.

To perform the calculation, you need to find out the total area of the ceiling structure and walls, while partitions do not need to be taken into account.

Length excluding partitions - 14.1 m.

2.1x14.1=29.61 m2.

The width and length of the ceiling structure is 3.7 m. The area is 3.7x3.7 = 13.69 m2.

Next you need to add up the area of the walls and ceiling: 29.61 + 13.69 = 43.3 m2.

At the next stage, the materials for the foundation are calculated. The need for cement, crushed stone, sand and other elements will depend on what type of base is planned to be made.

If it is a columnar foundation, then you will need asbestos-cement pipes with a diameter of 20 cm and a length of 150 cm. In the center of each of them, 2 reinforcement rods with a diameter of 5 mm must be mounted.

Types of home sauna

The question of how to make a sauna in the house has several answers. The choice of the optimal option depends on:

The number of people willing to take a steam bath;
Financial opportunities;
Owners' preferences.

Nice factory options were:

Barrel sauna. This method of arranging a steam room helps strengthen the cardiovascular system, get rid of cellulite, increase immunity and skin elasticity. The special charm of such a barrel is created by the cedar finish, which fills the room with the delicate color of the wood and a light, healthy aroma. The control process is displayed on a separate remote control, and if desired, additional functions can be installed in the sauna.
Sauna cabin. A small cabin, designed for one maximum of two people, takes up very little space. The only condition for placing such a structure is the presence of free space between the floor of the room and the cabin, as well as between the ceiling and the upper part of the steam room. This work of bath art will be decorated with doors made of wood with glass inserts or made of tempered glass. Although they are installed more for the beauty and psychological comfort of the person inside.
Salt sauna. To create this option, unique Himalayan salt is used. It normalizes the circulatory system, has a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels, rids the body of harmful bacteria and the effects of stress, and improves the condition of the skin and respiratory system.

Additional comfort will be provided by a small swimming pool or bar located nearby.

In a private house, they try to allocate a separate room for a bathhouse, in which it will be possible to equip a sauna, a washing room, a dressing room and a relaxation room, possibly even with a terrace or veranda.

Do you need permits?

When reconstruction work is planned in an urban residential building, you need to remember the regulatory documents dictating special conditions. This also applies to a sauna - its construction is permitted, but there are a number of regulatory standards and restrictions.

You can refer to documents such as “Residential multi-apartment buildings” or “Architectural and planning solutions for multi-apartment residential buildings”, where you will find a list of rules and recommendations for the design and construction of saunas

There is a lot of useful information there, without knowledge of which you can receive an administrative penalty in the future.

In wooden apartment buildings (1-2 storeys), the construction of a sauna is strictly prohibited, but in monolithic or brick ones with reinforced concrete floors, regardless of the number of floors and the number of entrances, it is allowed.

Particular attention is paid to the type of stove - a necessary device for sauna equipment. It is recommended to use a factory-made unit, with a passport and technical characteristics, including automatic shutdown after 8 hours of operation and when heated to 130ºС

The stove should not be gas or wood-burning, but must be electric - this is also a necessary condition. Accordingly, it is necessary to install a three-phase power cable into the room.

Any violation (burning with wood, lack of protective shutdown) is punishable by a fine with subsequent correction of the defects.

A number of requirements relate to the premises themselves. For example, if you have a studio apartment with an area of less than 38 m², you can say goodbye to the idea of a home sauna.

The area regulations apply to “two-room apartments” and “three-room apartments”: a two-room apartment is at least 54 m², a three-room apartment is 68 m². The area of the steam room itself is small.

For example, Moscow legislation regulates a “patch” of up to 2 m³, designed for a maximum of 2 people. Such a strict restriction was introduced due to a weak ventilation system, which is sufficient for residential premises, but not enough to maintain a steam room

One of the requirements relates to the materials from which the sauna casing is made. It should be environmentally friendly wood, treated against fungus and mold.

Preference is given to aspen, linden, oak, that is, deciduous species. A wooden frame must be equipped with a fire-fighting device. Usually this is a pipe with many holes, fixed like a cornice (along the perimeter of the ceiling).

It is assumed that, in the event of a fire, spraying water from the holes should extinguish the fire and prevent a fire in the apartment.

In addition, it is necessary to attach a fire sensor to the ceiling, which, in the event of force majeure, transmits a signal to the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Before visiting the BTI, you need to collect a package of documents, which includes copies of documents for the apartment, a floor plan, an extract from the house register with a copy of the personal account, a drawing of redevelopment or other design changes (usually performed by a licensed construction company).

Be prepared that it will take a lot of patience, time and effort to visit the following authorities (without guarantee of approval):

fire service;
HOA or other housing authority responsible for your home;
housing inspection;
Rospotrebnadzor department;
SES;
architectural and construction supervision inspection.

This list is not final, since the number of approvals depends on the specific region. Remember that permission for conversion will be required even if you want to install a purchased sauna cabin instead of a shower stall.

Sauna finishing

The layout of the sauna in the house involves creating a nice interior decoration. Of course, if the sauna is purchased in the form of a barrel or cabin, this issue has already been resolved at the manufacturer.

For self-built saunas, the best option is to decorate them with wood. It creates a cozy atmosphere, does not heat up, is environmentally friendly and has natural beauty.

Walls and floors made of natural stone or heat-resistant tiles look good.

By the way, it is better to place the sauna itself in a wooden structure, which allows you to create the most beneficial microclimate.

When arranging a steam room in a brick or concrete building, the internal surfaces are covered with clapboard or solid boards.
It is not recommended to use varnishes, paints and non-specialized impregnations, which, when heated, release chemicals that do not contribute to health.
To maintain high temperatures and preserve load-bearing structures, all surfaces are laid with insulation, vapor and waterproofing.

Ceiling decoration in the sauna

The ceiling in the sauna is made of beams, vapor barrier and insulation materials, and wooden cladding. There are no special requirements for the ceiling, with the exception of strength and durability.

Finishing the floor in the sauna

It is best to use wood as a flooring, but high humidity significantly reduces the life of wood.

Modern versions of saunas involve arranging the floors with ceramic tiles, which are completely resistant to steam and high temperatures, are easy to clean, and serve a long and happy life.
But when laying this option, you should select tiles with a non-slip surface.
To create more comfortable conditions for bare feet, the sauna floor is decorated with natural mats or home rugs, and wooden boards are installed.
In this case, additional efforts will be required to dry such decorative elements after each water procedure.

When designing the floor, they try to provide a slight slope for better water drainage.

Wall decoration in the sauna

The largest area for finishing is provided by the walls.

Perfect for decorating them:

Budget and strong aspen;
No less budget linden, releasing a delicate aroma;
Quite expensive, but very durable cedar and abashi;
The usual pine and spruce, although at high temperatures the cladding will release too many resins that can be harmful to human health.

Almost any wood can be used in a dressing room or rest room. These rooms are not intended for steam and moisture, so any tree will feel quite comfortable here.

Popular brands of shower cabins with steam rooms

A home shower with sauna is almost a trend. Therefore, many companies offer the manufacture and installation of such structures and promise excellent quality. But who to trust? Let's look at the main well-known brands.

Eger is a Hungarian brand of sanitary ware. The company produces shower boxes, bathtubs, saunas and many other high-quality sanitary ware. The brand is quite well known and has proven itself well. The models are made from environmentally friendly materials, and all products have European quality certificates.
Sansa is a brand that offers high-quality but inexpensive models of shower boxes and cabins with saunas.
Volle is a famous Spanish brand of sanitary ware. The company produces not only showers with saunas, but also faucets, luxurious bathtubs and Jacuzzis, and even various small items for the bathroom. Great brand with beautiful designs and prices a little higher than most. But the company promises the quality and durability of its products.
GM - Chinese plumbing. The brand entered the domestic market relatively recently, but has already gained popularity and is offered in many stores. Relatively low cost, simplicity and concise designs attract buyers.
Ravak is a Czech plumbing brand. Tagline . The sanitary ware has a beautiful and original design, and the manufacturer provides a lifetime guarantee on quality.

You need to consult a professional when choosing a shower cabin with a sauna inside.

There are many brands and manufacturers - Chinese, domestic, European. When choosing such a complex design as a shower with a sauna, you should take your time and always consult a professional.

With the right approach, weighing all the pros and cons and focusing on quality, you can create a corner of health and relaxation right in your apartment that will give the whole family joy for many years!

Doors and windows for sauna

Arranging doors can present some challenges. On the one hand, the doors must ensure reliable retention of steam inside the room, on the other hand, a necessary condition is the ease of opening the door in case of unforeseen situations.

A glass sheet will cope best with this task. It does not swell, easily turns on its hinges, and provides the necessary tightness.

Windows, for the most part, are a kind of decorative element that is designed to let in light and visually expand the room.

Necessary equipment

The sauna consists of a cabin and a special stove. The choice of stove power depends on the area of the steam room. On average, 0.6 kW per 1 m3 is calculated. If you buy more powerful equipment, you will have to spend more money on electricity. If the stove is weak, the sauna will take longer to heat up.

As for the cabin itself, you can make it yourself or purchase a ready-made factory model. For the frame, aspen, linden or coniferous trees are mainly used. Aluminum or galvanized steel can be used to construct the floor frame, but you can also use wood to construct a slatted floor.

Sun loungers should also be installed. Their number depends on the size of the room. They can also have different shapes, for example, L or U-shaped.

Bake

But the most important element for creating a sauna remains the stove. She may be:

Conventional wood-burning, independent of external energy sources. This design ensures fairly cheap operation of the sauna, the creation of soft steam, and a high heating rate. But when installing a wood-burning stove, additional costs will be required to install a chimney, and the risk of fire increases several times.
New-fashioned electric, capable of heating to a fixed temperature and providing maximum fire safety.

A sauna with an infrared stove still causes quite a lot of controversy. It is believed that such heating does not provide a therapeutic effect other than intense sweating.

Electric steam generator instead of a heater

With a heater stove in the sauna, you can create two microclimate options - a dry or wet sauna.

To create a steam sauna microclimate

It is necessary to additionally purchase a steam generator for the sauna. The steam generator is installed outside and requires connection to a water supply. In the steam generator, water is heated, boils and turns into hot steam, which is supplied through a pipe into the sauna. The tip of the pipe is located in the sauna under the shelves.

heater stoves with a built-in steam generator on sale

For a mini-sauna in the bathroom, a universal device is more suitable - an electric steam generator, with which you can create any type of microclimate in the steam room.

SteamCity (SteamCity) is an electrical device for creating a bathhouse microclimate. Just 3-5 minutes after switching on, the temperature in the steam generation chambers reaches 650 °C and the water coming from the dispenser begins to turn into light, comfortable steam.

An electric steam generator can independently heat small steam rooms (4-8 cubic meters depending on the modification). In addition, it can be used as an addition to the main electric heater in large steam rooms - up to 20 cubic meters.

SteamCity can be used for spa treatments and aromatherapy.

Electric steam generator with a power of 2.6 kW. may be the only heating device for a steam room with a volume of 4 m3 and a power of 5.3 kW. enough to heat a steam room with a volume of 8 m3.

Dimensions of the electric steam generator (HxWxD) 700x400x150 mm.

Stones

For laying stones, it is best to use jadeite, diabase, and soapstone. All of them are not afraid of high temperatures and do not crack from water, and their evaporation is beneficial for the body. It is best to choose stones with a slight roughness, which will help water stay on the surface longer.

Cracked stones must be promptly replaced with new elements.

Setting up a sauna in your home will allow you to enjoy beneficial procedures at almost any time, so if you have the desire and opportunity, it is better to pamper yourself and your family with this type of bathhouse.

The purpose of building a bathhouse as a determining factor of cost

Calculating the budget that you can spend on building a bathhouse follows from the considerations that the foundation, frame and roof must be erected almost immediately, in the shortest possible time.

Let's consider the most popular motives for buying a bathhouse:

For a joint holiday with friends. An excellent option would be a separate bathhouse, with a large steam room and an oversized swimming pool. It is better to make a warm rest room separate from the locker room and design the entrance in such a way that after dousing yourself in cold water, you can immediately warm up in the warmth.
For a family holiday of several people with a child. The option of a home Russian bathhouse in the basement is the most acceptable, since any woman can fire a small-sized brick stove. For a dry sauna, it is recommended to purchase an electric stove that operates from a common network. It is easily controlled using a relay and has temperature sensors with automatic locking.

A separate bathhouse with a veranda - comfort and independence, where you can spread out in a big way. Source krov-torg.ru

Bathhouse for rent. Definitely, for such purposes, only a free-standing bathhouse is needed if it is rented without a cottage. In order to increase future income, reduce the area of the rest room and make two steam rooms: with wet and dry air. In addition, visitors will appreciate it if you provide several sources for bathing and dousing with cold water.

As they say, what is good for a Russian is death for a German. This is probably why a Russian bath strengthens a person’s character and stamina, developing a steel core in him.