Small sauna with your own hands. Mini sauna. Portable steam and infrared folding mini sauna Selecting equipment for a home sauna

Often, land plots only require the construction of vital buildings. The small area of ​​the site, the use of every piece of land for planting or thoughtful simply does not leave room for additional buildings. In this case, there is only one solution left for lovers of bath procedures: building a mini-bath. What is a mini-sauna for a summer residence, how to build it and what is needed to build it - let's figure it out.

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Mini-sauna for a summer residence. Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of a mini-bath is the area occupied during its construction. Second, no less important parameter is the cost of building a mini-bath in the country.

Typically, mini-ovens for small volumes are metal structures designed to generate steam. As an example, consider the Varvara “Mini” sauna stove.

Sauna stove Varvara Kamenka mini

This is a wood-burning stove with overall dimensions of 48x66 cm and a height of 88 cm. Steel structure The top of the firebox itself is covered with a casing, inside of which there are convection channels. The air, heating up in the firebox area, escapes into the heater through the holes in the casing, thereby quickly heating the stones. As a result, the oven heats up very quickly, warming up a small room in a very short time.

In addition to this, there are more simple designs stoves in which the heater is heated directly by exposure to heat from fuel combustion. When using in a steam room, you need to provide a place for storing fuel, or a canopy not far from the bathhouse.

For small steam rooms, in some cases it is advisable to use electric sauna stoves and electric heaters.

On a note! Installing a heat exchanger on the chimney will allow you to quickly warm up the air in the steam room. But this option is possible with the appropriate dimensions of the bath.

Mini-pools for baths

Additional installation in the bathhouse will expand the functionality of the bathhouse and add comfort. It is worth noting that it is better to initially provide for the installation of a swimming pool in the bathhouse design, since mini-pools for a bathhouse require water supply systems, water drainage, and heating.

For this reason, building a swimming pool into ready-made sauna the matter is quite troublesome and costly. There are several types of pools designed for installation in a bathhouse:

• Stationary. In this case, the pool is initially included in the bathhouse design, a pit is dug under it, the walls of the pool are concreted and covered decorative coating. This type of pool is used mainly for full-size bath buildings.
• Font. Metal or plastic construction, intended for installation in a pre-prepared bed. To put it into operation, you only need to connect the font to the water supply system.
• Portable pools. Metal constructions with plastic trim. Just like a font, they are installed in a prepared bed, after which they are connected to the water supply system.

Swimming pools can be equipped with water heating systems and hydromassage equipment, but in this case, connecting them requires the help of qualified specialists.

Mini sauna for a summer residence

It is distinguished from a bath by the type of steam and the temperature. In order to make a sauna out of a steam room, it is enough to install an electric steam generator, an electric heater or a wood-burning sauna inside the steam room. When using a steam room for a sauna, it is recommended that the interior be made from one type of wood: pine, linden or alder. A mini-sauna in a country house should be as closed as possible, almost airtight. Special attention You need to pay attention to its thermal insulation. This is necessary to maintain high temperature inside the sauna for a long time, when minimum costs energy carrier.

portable sauna

How to build a small sauna for your dacha with your own hands

Before construction, you should familiarize yourself with the projects of already built baths and choose the most best option. Do-it-yourself mini-bath projects for a summer residence (both frame and timber) are quite widespread, and finding them is not difficult. Before you build a small bathhouse with your own hands, you need to decide on the type of bathhouse, the material for its construction and its location.

The main requirement during construction is accuracy. Everything needs to be done calmly and without haste. This will allow you to build a bathhouse in short time without incidents in work.

Helpful advice! When purchasing materials for construction, focus on the medium and high price range. Purchase soft materials for roofing, insulation and vapor barrier according to a pre-calculated estimate, +10% on the supply of material.

Important point When building a bathhouse, do not forget about. For a small steam room, a channel in the wall is sufficient; for larger rooms, a fan will be required. This is necessary so that our small bathhouse at the dacha is a place comfortable rest, and not a carrier of miasma.

Article

A mini sauna is the very object that can fill the missing advantages in an apartment country house. Almost everyone is interested in looking more beautiful and feeling healthier. Of course, modern cosmetology offers a range of topical creams, bath additives and weight loss supplements.

But if you're looking for a way to eliminate toxins from your body and help with weight loss while feeling more relaxed and refreshed, then a portable mini steam sauna can help.

Stationary steam saunas have been around for at least 2,000 years. The Romans realized long ago how good they were. But what is a sauna? If you have not yet understood this issue, we offer a standard definition. The sauna is small room filled with dry or wet steam. Your task is to sit inside for a while. The body will begin to sweat. By remaining there for some time, the cleaning process will gain strength.

If you can build a full-fledged one on the territory of a country house, and install it in the country, then you will need a mini sauna in the apartment for wellness procedures. Let's consider the best options for mini saunas for urban use.

Health benefits of a mini sauna

Research indicates a number of benefits that can potentially be obtained from a portable mini steam sauna. Last but not least, it is a relief from stress after a difficult day at work. Step inside, close the door, and you're enveloped in a cloud of heat that magically blocks out the outside world.

Medical experts readily admit that reducing mental stress in itself helps prevent many health problems. But the benefits of using a mini sauna in an apartment don’t seem to end there. Let's list the main advantages of a mini sauna:

• Help with relaxation: in addition to relieving mental and emotional stress, portable steam mini saunas cause active muscle relaxation. Once physical tension subsides, muscles recover more easily from a long day at work, a strenuous workout, and even the pain of arthritis and other conditions.

• Promotes better blood circulation: excessive heat generated by a mini sauna causes expansion blood vessels, which helps improve blood circulation. Blood flows more freely, allowing the body to repair itself by producing new, healthy cells.

You may experience mental benefits as a visit to a portable mini sauna promotes greater concentration and clarity. The benefits are also obvious for your skin, which is easy to notice thanks to a healthy, rosy glow.

If you have poor circulation, you may notice improvements as you use the mini sauna. For example, there is less tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, as well as a decrease in general joint ailments and less cold sensations.

A folding mini sauna in an apartment will restore health

• A mini sauna creates immunity. You're probably well aware of how well steam cleanses your pores. Sometimes it helps relieve breathing problems due to allergic reactions. When it comes to fighting disease, mini saunas go far beyond these capabilities. Research shows high level heat helps in the production of white blood cells, thereby boosting your immune system.

• A mini sauna increases your heart rate. At in good condition At rest, the heart of an adult pumps blood at approximately 60 to 80 beats per minute. During thermal procedures in a mine sauna, the jump reaches 110 beats per minute or more, after the procedures it returns to normal. Similar to exercise, this process helps strengthen the heart muscle over the long term.

Lose weight with a mini sauna

• Helps with weight loss. A certain amount of controversy and skepticism surrounds this potential aspect, but there is some definite science behind weight loss. In addition to reducing food consumption, it is important physical exercise. With any form of exercise, one of your main goals is to get your heart rate up and keep it there for a long time.

As mentioned earlier, the sauna produces this effect. In turn, you burn additional calories. Most people can burn about 300 calories during a mini sauna session, which is equivalent to a brisk 90-minute walk for a 70-pound person.

• Treatments in the mine sauna result in clearer skin. The skin goes through more stress during the day than we tend to realize. Temperature changes indoors and outdoors, dirt, and debris from our environment can cause irritation. At the same time, oils, dead skin cells, makeup, or skin moisturizing residue accumulate in the body's pores.

Damage appears, but sweat helps clear pores, improving texture and appearance skin. It is also noted that heating the skin promotes the production of collagen and elastin - key elements that protect against the formation of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging.

• A mini sauna removes toxins. We are bombarded with thousands of chemicals every day from foods, drinks and even the air around us. Known as free radicals, these harmful agents cause us to age faster. Make you feel tired, and in some cases, lead to cancer.

Saunas allow the body to push all these elements to the surface of the skin. They help wash them away through deep, extensive sweating. Once the toxins are eliminated, you will notice increased energy levels. Your mood will improve. You may experience greater success in your weight loss efforts.

Experts note that all these benefits fully require correct use mini saunas. Visiting the bathhouse should not be limited to once a year; instead, a methodical process needs to be established. This will certainly require a certain level of habit and commitment.

The right way to visit a home mini sauna

First, keep an eye on the temperature, it is a critical factor. Internal temperature in a steam mini sauna should lie in the range from 45 to 50 degrees Celsius.

The frequency of treatments is also important; in fact, you need a daily wellness routine to maximize the benefits of a mini sauna.

Experts suggest staying in a mini sauna for about five minutes if you're a beginner. As you get used to it, the session can be increased and the heat can be taken for up to 20 minutes per procedure. A long session should be accompanied by a cooling period.

Although the Finns, who are credited with the invention of the sauna, have a habit of rolling in the snow when cooling off, and Russians boldly jump into an ice hole - for home treatments, a cool shower will be enough. As soon as you stop sweating, it’s time to return to the sauna for a second dose of heat. For best effect, this process should be repeated at least three times.

If you have to visit a local gym or a spa for daily sauna sessions, you will soon notice that this is quite a labor-intensive undertaking.

Having your own portable mini steam sauna in your home makes the process less tiring. All you need is a small budget and a little space to install a portable mini sauna. Dimensions of the mini sauna:

How does a portable mini steam sauna work?

Like their larger, permanent saunas, portable steam saunas are enclosed spaces that heat up intensely. Typically, mini saunas are connected to a regular electrical outlet. Steam is generated by a steam generator.

Most models offer quick, easy setup. The mini sauna simply folds up and does not take up much space. You can even take a mini sauna with you when you go on a trip.

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How to fold a portable sauna?

There are portable steam sauna models different designs, but setting up and folding any of them is usually a fairly easy process. After you have taken the mini sauna out of the case, the models in most cases straighten out into working condition on their own. When it's time to put the sauna away, reassembling it won't be too difficult.

Similar to a folding laundry basket or hunting blind, simply press inward on a corner or flat gather. From here, start at one corner and continue folding the structure towards itself until it is small enough to fit the case. General instructions The assembly of the mini sauna is revealed in the video review:

How to clean a portable mini sauna?

Some portable sauna tents can be washed in a regular washing machine equipped with an air dryer. Manufacturers of other models suggest wiping down the tent or canopy using a mixture of alcohols and water. There are also a number of ready-made cleaning products available. Some contain tea tree oil or citrus extract with antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Water containers and steam generators accompanying mini saunas can be cleaned and disinfected with the same solutions. A more precise cleaning process will depend on the individual characteristics of the steam sauna, which are specified in the instructions for use.

Where can I buy a portable mini sauna?

You can find portable mini saunas in any quantity at home improvement or health stores. Manufacturers often sell mini saunas in their own branded stores.

Of course, as with most items, modern miracle“online store” offers the most wide choose, as well as the best prices. An example is the huge selection of mini saunas on the Aliexpress site. For clarity, we will look at the technical characteristics of mini saunas from the Amazon site and make short review popular models:

Popular models of mini saunas on the market

Personal Steam Sauna SPA Portable Therapeutic Weight Loss Full Body 11083xl

The Body Spa mini sauna offers openings for your head and arms so you can read a book or watch TV while you're inside.

You will need to stand up during the procedure to use this feature. At under $100, this is one of the less expensive portable steam saunas you'll find.

The back panel of the mini sauna has a height of 130 cm, tapering to 100 cm at the front. The specifications list its width and depth as 63 by 78 cm.

Essentially this version takes up about the same space as the regular one home chair. There are no temperature ranges listed for this product, but user reviews insist that it is hot enough to get the job done effectively.

Durherm Portable Personal Folding Home Steam Sauna(blue outline)

Mini Durherm steam sauna, made of durable quilted material. It is slightly larger at 110 cm in height and 70 by 85 cm in width. This is a seated model, but the folding chair is not included in the purchase. Manufacturers suggest using a plastic lawn chair or a small folding chair.

The accompanying steam machine generates temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius, so it fits well within the temperature range of a steam sauna. Since the steam generator unit is connected to standard socket 220V, no special connection or power converter required.

Steam therapy for weight loss Steam Sauna Spa Detox-Weight Loss, SS01-R2

Soaring in the price range of around $100, this personal steam room measures 74cm wide x 68cm deep x 96cm high. There are no exact temperature specifications, but owners don't seem to be complaining about it.

To sweat, a 220-volt electrical outlet is required. At the top of the mini sauna there is a hole for the head. The mini sauna is equipped with sockets for lightning and an additional connector for using hands-free mode.

You can add herbs to any portable water tank. This will help satisfy own preferences in aromatherapy. Users complain that this makes cleaning a little more difficult, but you'll also have more fun. The manufacturers of this product anticipated the problem in advance. They have added a special herb compartment to the steam generator design to make the cleaning process easier. The set includes a comfortable folding chair.

Mini sauna Radiant Saunas BSA6310

The Radiant Saunas offering is a little pricier than the previous new additions on the list, but it also has a few additional functions. The device itself is made of three-layer isolated material to keep the heat inside.

Again, the openings are accessible for the head and arms, but you can sit on the sauna floor if you prefer. The built-in frame design is also more durable.

Unlike the steam generator, Radiant Saunas has built far-reaching infrared heating panels. In this particular model, the heat levels offered for infrared saunas are comparable to those of steam versions, providing maximum temperature heating up to 90 degrees Celsius.

The mini sauna is equipped with five levels of temperature settings. So you can adjust the heat to your own taste using the remote control remote control. Connection to 220 volt network.

Gizmo Supply 1000W Portable Therapeutic Infrared Sauna Spa XL

You can buy a mini sauna on Amazon. Of the options mentioned, this option is the most expensive at over $360.

The mini sauna uses long-distance technology infrared radiation for heating. A generating panel at the back and one on each side is designed to absorb and reflect heat.

Although this is an infrared personal portable sauna model, Gizmo Supply Company also comes with a steam bank.

Six heat settings are available to choose from, and it goes up to 90 degrees. The mini sauna connects to a standard outlet and will not damage your floor.

Each of these portable steam or infrared sauna models is available through Amazon. All of them require nothing more than a regular 220-volt electrical outlet. Their dimensions quite comparable and can easily fit into one of the rooms of your apartment.

Best Portable Mini Steam Sauna

The answer to this question depends on your needs and preferences, as well as your budget. Portable mini saunas are available from $100; expensive models reach the one thousand dollar range. You can always find larger models. There are many more functional options than those mentioned in the examples above.

Keep in mind that expensive models may exceed the limitations of standard electrical outlets. This may limit your freedom in placement. The instructions may require that you have an additional separate outlet installed. A special outlet for a 220 volt mini sauna must be grounded.

The main differences between portable mini saunas are the types of heat produced. Portable steam sauna devices create the luxurious sensation of a cloud-like steam embrace. Infrared models provide consistent dry heat. Critics and health experts seem to be in agreement. They believe that the advantages of such gadgets are the same regardless of the principle of operation.

If you prefer the soothing effects of moist heat, a steam sauna will be the best option for you. If you've ever visited the southeast globe V summer time and you liked the dry heat, then maybe for you best choice infrared element. It's really a matter of preference.

Our conclusions about mini saunas in the apartment

We can absolutely say that a portable folding mini sauna promotes emotional and physical health. A folding mini sauna generates overall well-being in the same way as a stationary sauna. Since saunas found in spas or gyms aren't always convenient, and large-scale home models are hard on the wallet, portable sauna versions are the preferred alternative.

Steam mini sauna Body Spa is the least expensive on the list. It is also the lightest and easiest to set up and assemble. Although it produces heat in required quantity, its characteristics are not as durable as in other models.

Durherm brings slightly more durable construction to the lower end of the pricing spectrum. But it doesn't provide a foldable seat for more versatile comfort. Model SS01-R2 Steam Sauna Room provides added stability and has its own chair as well as a herbal box for easier cleanup after aromatherapy sessions.

At the moment, infrared technology is entering into competition with portable steam sauna. The dry heat created by infrared elements heats your body directly (directly) rather than indirectly through the air (steam) around you.

For portable saunas using radiant heating, you pay more. Contribution Radiant Saunas This heating method is the less expensive of the last two infrared models on the list. Offer Radiant Saunas definitely worth considering.

Gizmo Supply Company completes our list and covers the price range of the previous ones. Steam mini saunas have difficulties in the dismantling process, as they swell after steam formation. An infrared portable sauna is an exception to this rule.

In short, first think about whether you want a dry or humid atmosphere. Then proceed to choosing a specific portable mini sauna. Evaluate the available space. If you plan to leave your portable sauna when assembled, as most owners do, then any of the middle-class models will serve you faithfully for a long time. On the other hand, if you are going to fold the mini sauna after each use, it is better to pay attention to Body Spa or Gizmo Supply.

Video review of a portable infrared mini sauna:

Currently, saunas and bathhouses are built not only in country houses both in dachas and in apartments. Specifications saunas allow you to build it in any room. Arranging a mini-sauna in an apartment is, of course, a complex issue, but it can be solved. The most important thing is to follow all the important nuances and, of course, safety rules, especially fire safety.

Types of saunas

There are two types of home mini-saunas:

• Finnish sauna cabin - a completely ready-made design, but quite expensive and not suitable for small apartments , because you will have to try to place it correctly in the room.
• A thorough mini-sauna - built with your own hands. This option allows you to place the sauna indoors according to your wishes, and gives room for creativity.

So, how to make a bathhouse in an apartment?

Location and size

The first step is to calculate the parameters and draw up a project for the future mini-bath. The size of the mini-sauna should be chosen based on the number of visitors. For an adult the most optimal size 0.7x2 m. You can build a mini-bath with your own hands in the pantry, in the bathroom and even on the balcony - if infrared heaters are installed.

But still, the most suitable place for a sauna would be the bathroom, since all the necessary communications are already installed there. There is water (cold, hot), sewerage, ventilation, in general, there is everything that is necessary for bath procedures. Plus, building a sauna in the bathroom does not require remodeling the apartment, so there is no need for coordination with the REU.

When developing a project for a future mini-bath, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• Thermal insulation.
• Sauna heating device.
• Ventilation system.

Sauna heating devices

You need to start with heat generators for the Finnish bathhouse, which are electric heaters. The most advantageous position is for the owner who has an electric stove (5 kW), with the same power as electric sauna stoves. In this case, to connect, it will be enough to run an extension cord into the kitchen and plug it into an outlet.

Important: Do not use the stove while the heater is running. The extension cord should be connected on days when the sauna is in use; the rest of the time it should be removed.

In order to connect the heater, you do not need to install a special socket in the bathroom or run a cable along the floor. It is better to purchase a special tray, which is sold at an electrical goods store. The cable located in the booth must be protected with a thermostatic hose. Electricity consumption will be almost the same as that of a conventional washing machine. A thermally insulating stand is required under the stove. The heater must not be placed next to the bathtub or at the same level as it.

Important: cannot be used heating installations, which are made by yourself, especially those with open spirals.

In those houses with gas stoves, it will be more difficult. You will need to run a special cable from the meter to power the heater. One more excellent option There will be an infrared sauna. In this case, the heaters produce heat rays specifically at the person, but do not heat the air. They must be installed as described in the instructions.

Materials for thermal insulation. A home mini-sauna needs good thermal insulation of the ceiling and walls, because the heater power there is small. This will allow you to maintain desired temperature with minimal energy consumption.

Important: when choosing insulation, it is advisable to abandon polystyrene foam and its modifications, because when heated, this material can melt and begin to emit harmful smoke.

An excellent material for insulation would be mineral wool insulation. This material is in no way inferior to foam plastic and is not affected by temperature. The insulation should be placed between the cladding slats. If the insulation comes into contact with the brick, then for vapor barrier you need to use plastic film. If panels that have thermal insulation are used as cladding, then the walls do not need to be insulated. The shields are made of natural cork, which is soldered with its own resin. It has good water resistance and is environmentally friendly. This material should be mounted to a timber frame.

Ventilation system

The next feature of creating a mini-bath with your own hands is the installation of ventilation. In a home bath, the air humidity is low, but if there is no good ventilation, moisture will immediately penetrate into the apartment. Therefore, it is important to provide a system for quickly removing excess moisture. The issue of ventilation must be taken seriously. The ventilation ducts in the house must be in perfect order.

Installation and its features

To fasten the bars, you need to use plastic dowels, because the wooden plugs will quickly become loose due to the constant temperature difference. In order to avoid problems when attaching the ceiling, the supporting beam should be installed vertically, and the cladding boards horizontally. In this case, the frame of the mini-bath will be quite rigid and will hold the ceiling well. If you install the boards with an overlap, then moisture will not be able to penetrate behind the cladding.

Important: it is imperative to install a vapor barrier between the thermal insulation and the cladding. This can be done using aluminum foil.

To prevent the wood from getting wet due to condensation, you need to leave a gap of approximately 4 mm between the sheathing and the foil.

Important: the heads of the nails must be recessed into the wood, because they can cause burns to the body.

Doors

The design of the door can be very diverse. It all depends on imagination and budget. The door can be a hinged door, a compartment door, or a Velcro-type device. The most important thing is to the entrance to the sauna was sealed and there was good thermal insulation. For a mini-bath that has a stove you need wooden door, which will be insulated inside with foil. To close tightly, you need to make three-step edges of the jamb. But in infrared sauna should be installed glass door, for which a heat-resistant silicone seal should be used.

Floor arrangement

A plank floor for a sauna is not a very good option. If you really want a floor made of wood, then you should never varnish it. The best option would be a heated tiled floor., which must be laid out in advance, before the construction of wooden structures. The tile must necessarily meet fire safety requirements.

Equipment

The internal equipment of the bath includes a headrest, a bed, a footrest, and a back support. All these parts must be wooden and preferably made of wood with low thermal conductivity, for example, pine, aspen or spruce. Control panels, supports, shelves and footrests can be purchased at specialty stores.

Important: all switches must be outside only. All lamps must be placed under heat-resistant and moisture-resistant glass, which can be purchased at any store.

Requirements for a mini-sauna in an apartment with your own hands:

• A Finnish sauna must have a fire safety certificate.
• The apartment itself must be equipped with a fire safety system.
• There should be a fire extinguishing system in the form of water sprayers along the entire perimeter of the bathhouse.

A mini bathhouse for a dacha is simply necessary, because imagine how great a miniature bathhouse will look in a dacha, when the plots are often small, this building will come in handy. All year round You can enjoy the steaming procedure, improve your health and take a steam bath with a bath broom; if there is a pond or river nearby, then contrasting water procedures will also benefit your health. This mini bathhouse is very compact inside and at the same time quite spacious for its size. Now all that remains is to decide how the mini bathhouse in the country will be placed, and how to build it on your site.

Mini baths for a summer residence

Everyone chooses the size of a mini bath at their dacha to their own taste, but first you need to find out the main features of the design of a mini bath. And there is nothing complicated here, the frame is welded from a twenty-fifth corner. Transitions: half-walls, wall-roof, fastening with corners, welding the shelves to each other, so for the door to the steam room and front door we fix it the same way. For an improved design of a mini bathhouse in the country, the roof is often made at an angle, divided into two parts. The dressing room has a difference of 10 centimeters, the second part is the bathhouse itself, located at 90 degrees to the first with a slope of 20 centimeters from the highest point of the dressing room. Additionally, we strengthen the floor with one corner in the middle, along the steam room, and for structural strength we strengthen another corner on top across the steam room. For greater rigidity, we install another corner between the dressing room and the steam room. We can drill holes for screws as many times as we think is necessary, the main thing is that the block holds.

Next, we cut a 50mm timber from dry larch of a size suitable for the corners of a mini bath, and screw them on. We nail one-inch dry boards to the bars, lay them on the floor of the mini bath, don’t forget about the hole for the stove, the roof and the walls inside. To ensure good insulation of the mini bath, we glue tiles to the walls. Outside the mini baths in the country, we place the boards parallel to the ground, start sheathing them from the bottom up, so the boards slightly overlap each other, and then paint them with varnish. The next stage is installing the stove and pipes in the mini sauna. We place the stove on a couple of bricks, place it two centimeters from the wall, this is necessary to insulate the wall so that it does not burn. We will make a hole in the roof larger than the diameter of the pipe, since it will be necessary to lay insulation. All that remains is to install the doors and cover the roof with any material that suits your taste.

Mini sauna at the dacha is perfect place to spend time with your family and friends, you can buy a ready-made mini sauna for your dacha, but this will take more money, but at the same time it will not spend your free time for the construction of a mini bathhouse in the country. If you have time and construction brings you pleasure, then it is better to make a mini bathhouse in the country with your own hands. This will give you the opportunity to personally choose materials and simply put your soul into the mini sauna.

City residents, with a busy pace of life and an eternal lack of time, simply have no time to go to a sauna or bathhouse. But if you have a sauna at home, you can always find time to use it. Why do apartments have saunas and not baths? It’s much easier to make a sauna: you don’t need to think about draining water, which spills out a considerable amount during bath procedures, and about steam, which is more than enough in a Russian bath. In addition, sauna connoisseurs say that achieving real light steam, which has beneficial influence on the body, it is possible only with the help. In apartments, any heating devices on wood and solid fuels are prohibited: the risk of fire is too great. Therefore, if you want to steam in your apartment, build a mini-sauna.

Sauna for an apartment: types

You can install a ready-made sauna in your apartment or make one yourself. Ready-made options today there are many. Different sizes, power and location options, different heating devices (based on heating elements or infrared emitters). There are saunas for apartments with a built-in shower cabin, and there are shower cabins with built-in electric heaters or IR emitters. There are really a lot of options, but high-quality saunas for an apartment cost a lot. Even very solid. And you can’t adjust them to the available space: either the dimensions fit or they don’t. Even if the area allows, according to the law, saunas no larger than 2x2 meters can be installed in apartments. So it turns out that with all the many options, the choice turns out to be not so great: either the size doesn’t fit, then you don’t like the equipment or design, or the price turns out to be prohibitive. All these problems are absent when you independently build a sauna in an apartment. But this also has its drawbacks: you will need to work hard. But the design, the stove, and the sizes are up to your taste and choice.

Ready-made saunas have one undeniable advantage - you can install a ready-made sauna in an apartment in a few hours.

There are several compact, portable sauna options for apartments:

Regardless of whether you will use a ready-made sauna in an apartment or make it yourself, in the room in which it will be located, it is necessary to carry out heat and vapor barrier work, as well as take care of high-quality ventilation(except barrel saunas and portable options). Although there is not as much steam in the sauna as in a Russian bath, it is still enough for condensation to settle on the windows and walls. To effectively remove it, a set of measures is required to quickly remove excess moisture from the apartment.

If there is not enough space for a sauna, for example only one meter per meter, then you need to opt for an infrared sauna.

How to build a sauna in an apartment: preparatory work

The most important thing is to decide on the place where the sauna will be located in the apartment. The choice is actually not that wide - it could be a kitchen or a bathroom. In some options, you can install a sauna in place of the pantry, in the hallway or on the balcony. If you decide to make a sauna in the bathroom, no problems are foreseen, since approval in this case is not necessary and almost all communications are connected.

To set up a sauna in any other place, you will need to remodel the apartment, supply/discharge water, electricity, and organize a ventilation system. To install a sauna in an apartment, you will need approval from the following organizations:

• Fire Service;
• Sanitary and Epidemiological Service;
• Architectural supervision service (during redevelopment);
• Housing inspection.

All this is a serious investment of time and nerves, and sometimes money, but the pleasure is worth it. When choosing a location for installing a sauna in an apartment, remember that it should not be adjacent to external walls (due to the large temperature difference outer wall will get wet and bloom), at least one wall must be load-bearing.

After determining the location of the sauna, you need to solve the problem with electricity. No complications will arise in houses where there are electric stoves: apartment electrical wiring in them is designed for 5-6 kW. The power of an electric furnace for a mini-sauna is rarely more than 3-4 kW. So - no problem, but it’s not advisable to use the stove with the electric heater on.

In houses with gas stoves there are two options. First: take a low-power sauna stove. The maximum load in such houses is 3-4 kW, taking into account the fact that at least a refrigerator, TV and some other electrical appliances are included, the power of the stove should not exceed 2 kW. But with such power the sauna will gain required temperature no earlier than two hours later. You can speed up the process by carefully performing it. In this case, the estimated readiness time is reduced by three times! A small sauna of 2-3 cubic meters will heat up faster: at this power it will heat up within an hour.

In the second option, you will have to create a separate entrance to supply electricity to the heater or infrared emitter. In this case, they use large cross-section wires - 4-8 mm and a special circuit breaker, which turns off the power at the slightest failure or problem. If you are not strong in electrical engineering, you will need, at a minimum, the advice of a specialist who understands connecting electrical equipment in conditions of high humidity.

Anyway everything electrical sockets and the switches should be located in the sauna cabin, and next to it.

The next step in building a sauna in an apartment will be installing a ventilation system. Most apartments have such a system, but you will need to check its functionality and, if necessary, clean it ventilation ducts. In the sauna cabin itself, for effective ventilation, there must be two ventilation holes. Fans can be built into them (must withstand temperatures up to 130 o C) for forced ventilation, or these openings can be closed with wooden dampers. In the simplest version, the dampers consist of two disks made of wood, in which sectors of approximately 90 degrees are cut out. The disks are movably fixed in the center, turning one relative to the other closes/opens the ventilation gap.

Next: decide on the size of the sauna, draw a plan indicating the exact dimensions, think about where and how the stove will be installed, where the electrical wiring will go, where the lamps will be, and the ventilation duct. Please note that regardless of location, the sauna cabin must have own ceiling. The minimum distance to the ceiling of the apartment is 5-10 cm. Draw on the plan at what height and what size the shelves will be and where they will be located. To install the shelf at the required height, provide a cross beam - the shelves will be attached to it, think over a system to support it. In general, it is advisable to make five transverse straps: one at the bottom, one at the top (the ceiling of the cabin), another one at the level of the future shelf (this beam should be wider), and two more between them. This design will ensure sufficient rigidity and reliability of the cabin.

Also decide what size door you need, and what type it will be - wooden with a glass insert (glass is required according to safety regulations) or. After a detailed plan with all the details has been drawn up, you can begin installing the sauna in the apartment with your own hands.

How to make a sauna in an apartment: stages of construction

Before installation begins, you will need to treat all the walls of the room in which the sauna will be installed with antifungal impregnations (we have already written). When choosing disinfectants pay attention to their area of ​​application: they must be suitable for baths and saunas. All wood that will be used must also pass similar treatment, but the compositions here are usually different, although they should also be suitable for rooms with elevated temperature conditions.

At the next stage, you need to build a wooden frame that corresponds to the dimensions of the selected room or part of it allocated for the sauna (its dimensions are indicated in your plan).

Do not forget that the ceiling of a sauna cannot be the ceiling of an apartment, because top harness The cabin is located at least 10-20 cm below the ceiling. In this gap, ventilation ducts from the cabin will be located; in some cases, power supply wires may be laid in a special corrugated heat-resistant sleeve. For better thermal insulation, it is advisable to cover the ceiling of the apartment above the sauna with thermal insulation mats and cover them on the side of the room with foil material.

The distance between the frame guides is usually 50-60 cm. You can determine exactly after purchasing heat-insulating material: the thermal insulation mats should be 2 cm wider than the distance between the guides. In this case, the thermal insulation becomes dense and does not require special effort on consolidation. At this stage, they also lay wiring in a heat-resistant corrugated hose to the places where the stove and fans are supposed to be installed. The wire must also be in a heat-resistant sheath. If necessary, ventilation ducts are removed at the same time.

After completing the construction of the wooden frame, in order to maintain the temperature in the sauna as long as possible, we insulate the walls and ceiling of the cabin with heat-insulating materials. Most often used basalt wool, but in connection with recent research in saunas and baths, it is better to use quilted mats, in the production of which synthetic binders are either not used at all, or their quantity is minimal. The thickness of the insulation depends on the characteristics of the chosen material, but in apartment conditions a layer of 10 centimeters is usually sufficient. Such mats are installed between the frame beams with little effort (they should be slightly wider than the distance between the frame beams) and hold tightly, but for additional reliable fixation they can be secured with special nails (sold in the same stores where thermal insulation is sold). When fixing thermal insulation, avoid the slightest gaps and cracks - heat will escape through them. And although this is not as important for saunas in apartments as, say, for detached buildings, it is still necessary to heat the air in the cabin, and not in the apartment. So be careful about thermal insulation.

The next step in building a home sauna in an apartment is vapor barrier (what is it for?). In this case, it is advisable to use one of the foil materials - it will simultaneously solve the problem of vapor barrier and also increase the degree of thermal insulation. The foil material is attached from bottom to top (shiny side into the room), the panels are applied with an overlap of 10-15 cm, the joints are carefully taped with foil tape. The panels themselves are attached to the frame using thin wooden planks, which are nailed either with thin nails or staples from a construction stapler. A counter lath is made on top of the foil (minimum 2 cm), which gives the gap necessary to thermal energy reflected from the foil, and the clapboard is already attached to this sheathing.

It is better to use deciduous trees for lining the sauna cabin - they do not emit resins, which in conditions high temperatures in the sauna can cause burns. Usually it is alder or linden. You can also use coniferous lining, but it must be deresined, and there is almost no such material on sale. If deresined material can be found, it is expensive. You can remove the resin yourself, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming. So hardwood is the best option.

When securing the lining, try to ensure that the metal parts are recessed or closed (heads of nails or other fasteners), otherwise they will cause burns.

Since a sauna in an apartment is usually small in size, the lining is filled horizontally - this way the room is optically enlarged, but this is not important. At the same stage, fans or ventilation dampers are installed and the door is hung. To ensure air flow, the door to the sauna should not reach the threshold or floor by 2-3 cm. This gap must be left, otherwise, due to the lack of sufficient oxygen in the steam room, after the procedures you will experience lethargy or even headache(in the worst case scenario, loss of consciousness).

Floor for apartment sauna usually made of tiles, so if the bathroom is chosen as the installation location, there is usually no need to change anything. In other options, you can make the floor wooden from hardwood boards, or on a subfloor.

The very last stage of building a sauna in an apartment is installing a stove and installing lamps. Electric heaters are simply placed in the chosen location. The only thing that is recommended is to make a protective wooden one at a distance of 5-10 centimeters around it, which will protect against accidental burns in confined spaces. It is also advisable to cover the wall behind the stove and/or in the immediate vicinity of it with heat-resistant material - tiles, bricks or asbestos sheets (not the most the best option from a health safety point of view).

These are all the main stages of building a sauna in an apartment. But before starting operation, the entire structure must be dried: on the first day, turn on the heater for an hour with open door, on the second day - for two hours, then for several more hours. And the final test will be to bring the temperature in the home mini-sauna to 85-90 o C. Only the next day can you steam “for real”.