Geographical location, climatic conditions, national and cultural traditions are directly related to the design features of the baths of a particular country. But in general, there are 3 main types of baths:
- raw, with wet steam, examples are Turkish and Russian baths;
- dry air; an example is a Finnish sauna;
- water - Japanese baths.
Consider each type in more detail.
Russian sauna
Such baths are with the furnace “in black” and “in white”. In the first embodiment, the hearth without a chimney, the smoke comes out either through the door, or through a special opening in the ceiling. Today, such baths are rare, but still they have their own charm - the smell of smoke and tar gives them a special atmosphere.
The bath “in white” is different in that its steam room does not have an open flame. Due to the closed stove, the oxygen inside is not burned. The air under the ceiling warms up to 80 ° C, and near the floor to 45 ° C. At the same time, a high-quality furnace does not allow carbon monoxide and smoke. Water is heated in the boiler, which is mounted in the furnace.To achieve the required concentration of steam around the stove, the hot stones pour water or herbal decoctions, therefore the humidity in such a bath is very high.
And of course, according to all the rules, steam rooms use brooms. In addition to traditional birch, many also prefer oak, fir, juniper, cypress, bird cherry and lime.
Finnish bath
Unlike the Russian, the Finnish sauna has dry steam. Humidity is often not higher than 15%, but the air in such a steam room can reach 110 ° C. The walls of the Finnish sauna are also wooden. The main requirement is good thermal insulation, which minimizes heat loss. Unlike Russian baths, water in the Finnish baths is not poured on stones. The steam room can be heated with or without a stove.
Classical Finnish sauna less Russian. Her project provides for only two rooms - a steam room and a multifunctional room (changing room, rest room, combined with a shower). The ceiling height of 200-250 cm involves the installation of parallel shelves - for sitting and lying.
Hammam bath
In this Turkish bath, the humidity of the steam room often reaches 100%, but due to the low temperature (up to 50 ° C), it is transferred quite easily. The main feature is the presence of a large number of rooms with different levels of temperature.
Sun beds and all surfaces of this Turkish bath are made of marble. Below it, pipes filled with hot water are laid, thanks to which the stone heats up and pleasant soft warmth emanates from it. Therefore, the room warms up evenly, the cold lingers only at the ceiling.
In the hammam, the ceiling is made in the shape of a dome, so the droplets formed due to condensate flow freely onto the floor. Steam in the Turkish bath comes from the boiler with boiling water. In modern hammams, steam generators function as boilers. Heating of the walls, floors, seats and a massage table is carried out in a manner identical to the “warm floor” - inwardly heating devices are installed: water heating or electric.
Japanese bath - Ofuro
In the Japanese baths, hot water is preferred over hot air or steam. The traditional bath Sento is an ordinary pool with warm water of 40-45 ° C, where people do not come to cleanse the body, but simply relax and chat with friends.
Ofuro looks like a bath. This is a round, oval or rectangular font made of oak, larch or cedar. The furnace is immersed in water and maintains the required temperature. In such a bathroom should be immersed so that water does not reach the heart. It is important not to overdo it: the procedure should last no more than 15 minutes.
The apartment version of the font is equipped with an external electric furnace, and water exchange occurs due to two pipelines, one of which pumps water into the electric furnace, and the other returns heated water. The same temperature level is maintained by the installed sensor.
Infrared sauna
Perhaps this is the most compact solution for a steam room, which can be equipped even in a city apartment.
The body is heated here by infrared radiation. Such a sauna, while living in an apartment, can be easily mounted even on a loggia, it remains only to conduct electricity.
One of the main advantages of an infrared sauna is its accessibility. The low temperature inside (45-55 ° C) and the absence of steam allow us to enjoy the time spent in it for both the elderly and infants.
Another significant plus is time saving. You can warm up the infrared sauna for 15 minutes, and you will not need to heat the stove. All the space inside the room is warming up evenly. Moreover, it is possible to assemble such a sauna in just 2 hours: you will need a screwdriver, a screwdriver and a minimum of skills.
Bath with pool
Designing Russian baths, including the pool, is quite difficult to implement. Here you need to take into account many aspects.
First, the location of the pool - external (on the street) or internal (inside the bath).Already this factor dictates subsequent actions regarding the type of pool and its shape, the type of foundation to be laid, equipment, waterproofing of walls and ceilings, etc. An outdoor pool may involve the arrangement of heating.
Secondly, the purpose of the pool. Sometimes it is enough just a small font, which is nice to plunge after the bath. But also the pool can be a full-fledged place for active swimming.
Thirdly, the presence of sewage and its type. Indeed, in the pool a lot of water, which periodically needs to be drained. Sewerage can be centralized or in the form of an equipped cesspool. In the second case, you will have to create a separate drain for the bath.
Fourthly, the type of construction - terrestrial, recessed or semi-deep. The choice will depend on the strength of the soil and the occurrence of water. Fifth, the installation of various additional systems - lighting, waterfalls, hydromassage, etc.
Bath on wheels
A great option for a seasonal summer holiday in tents. To make a mobile bath, you can use a trailer for a passenger car, a truck body or a finished log cabin, mounted on a platform.
In such baths can be both an electric oven and wood. For safety, convenience and to save space, the furnace of a wood-burning stove is mounted outside.
More bath projects are presented in the photo below.
Tell us about your favorite places for cleansing and relaxation.
