A traditional Russian bath consists of steam and massage with a birch broom, and then a mandatory dip in an ice hole or reservoir with cold water. The ritual is not wild barbarism, but concern for health. Contrasting temperatures strengthen the immune system, invigorate and tone. Medicine has established that these procedures strengthen blood vessels, make the skin elastic, slowing down its aging, prevent colds, rheumatism, migraines, and help remove toxins from the body.
The magic of the Russian bath is a contrasting barrel-font. Actually, it doesn’t always look like a barrel, but it takes up less space than a swimming pool. Therefore, in any small bathhouse you can create such a healthy corner. We will help you understand this issue and choose the best wooden barrels and bathhouses.
Fonts are different
A small container with hot or cool water, into which one plunges after a sauna or steam bath, can be of any type and size, it depends on capabilities and preferences. The ideal shape is round or round-vertical.
Why round is better:
- there are no corners, the water has a single temperature;
- contact with the container is minimal, most of the skin participates in heat exchange.
Oval and rectangular containers are quite suitable. For small baths, a corner tank will be convenient. The average volume is about ten cubic meters of water.
The appearance of the containers varies, it depends on the design, height-width, materials. It can be designed for two or three; there are double models, concrete barrels, and micro-pools. Material - from wood to concrete, it depends on imagination and price tag. Most modifications can be used in a country house, in a cottage (private house), in a yard, and even in an apartment.
Views based on shape
If you wish, you can make a tank of any shape you like. But in the classic version, it is recommended to install time-tested configurations.
Oval
Today it is considered the most popular form, as it fits easily in small baths, allowing several people to use the font at the same time. They do not require special skills during installation.
Round
Taking into account the volume, they can be installed in small baths and huge complexes. Their structure resembles Japanese bathing barrels. Most often, these structures are equipped with heating and hydromassage.
Rectangular or square
Such forms are most often used for arranging in-depth structures. The main advantage of such bowls is ease of installation.
Triangular
They are used only in small rooms, as they are installed in a corner to save space. If necessary, they can also be equipped with heating. Almost never installed in recesses.
An interesting option is the font, which has two reservoirs. One contains cold water, the other contains warm water. As a rule, such models have their own heating system or are connected to a sauna stove. In the latter case, it is necessary to provide a thermostat to regulate the water temperature
Accessories
Of course, a tall barrel will require a ladder, steps, both outside and inside. The area does not always allow you to place sun loungers nearby, a bench for relaxing, folding towels (clothes) - an important attribute in the arrangement.
Modern water tanks can be equipped with smart technology: heating and filtration systems. The services of a contrast plunge pool can be supplemented with hydromassage and a waterfall, which helps you relax as much as possible. A practical accessory is a drain.
General installation rules
During the installation process, each model has its own nuances that will have to be taken into account. But there are also general rules that are universal for sitz baths of all types. It is important to follow the order of installation work. And everything will work out.
When preparing for installation, be sure to keep in mind the whole picture of the upcoming transformation of your bathroom. This will help you stay on track with your plan.
The installation process looks like this step by step:
- preparation of the premises;
- delivery of the bowl and its fixation;
- sewer connection;
- grounding;
- processing of surface joints and gaps between individual elements;
- screen installation and decorative finishing.
Keys to choosing a hot tub
If you want to install a contrast tank in your bathhouse, answer a few questions that the sellers will ask.
1. How many people should fit: a question of tank dimensions and volume. The font with a diameter of 1.5 m can accommodate 4-6 people. If there are two people washing and steaming, you will end up wasting water and electricity.
2. Where it will be installed: outdoor or indoor - they have different characteristics. If options are available, communications will be required. Outdoor ones can be dimensionless, internal ones - the area of the sauna is taken into account.
3. Installation option:
- free-standing, ready for use immediately;
- built-in is just a bowl that requires a deepening (pit), installation, cladding, but gives a chance for a creative approach.
4. Shape: round, oval, corner, rectangular. Non-standard is possible - in the style of modern design. A vertical (standing or sitting) compact barrel will look awkward on the lawn of a spacious area. A large oval one, taking up half the space, will also not please you, complicating the bathing process.
5. Material: here consider quality, usefulness, price tag, durability (you may not need it for a hundred years, inexpensive enough for a short time).
- wood: warm, environmentally friendly, healing effect;
- plastic: does not rot, does not collapse, you can choose shapes, sizes, easy to clean;
- composite: ideal for outdoor use, super durable.
6. Bowl coating:
- without coating: a special smell, wood substances dissolve in water, making it medicinal. Require special care. Not recommended for outdoor use.
- waterproof coating: easy to care for the container, no wood smell and no healing effect, strong due to glued rivets. Installation is possible even in an apartment.
7. Rim mount:
- hoops with a screw connection: fine adjustment, the ability to tighten to ensure tightness, used on traditional glueless models;
- rivets: fixed tension, suitable for varnished products, plastic.
8. Water heating, frequency of use:
- if used frequently, it is better to use an electric heater; high degrees are not required here.
- A wood heater indoors will require smoke venting and possibly remodeling. Pay attention - built-in or attached oven (each option has its own advantages and disadvantages). Outside, a live fire and the pleasant warmth of the stove create additional relaxation and relaxation.
- a gas heater is the most economical, but not every bathhouse has the conditions for safe installation. These questions need to be thought through in advance.
9. Additional equipment:
- aero-hydromassage systems;
- thermal insulation;
- water filtration and disinfection systems;
- different types of water heaters;
- backlight;
- touch control.
These points are not the most important when making an initial decision, but it is better to take them into account in advance. Over time, there will be a desire to improve something, to retrofit it, but everything is installed in such a way that you can’t get under it.
Types of tank by type of installation
Taking into account personal preferences and budget, you can install several types of hot tubs:
- In-depth. As a rule, such tanks are small in size and volume. For ease of use, they are additionally equipped with a small non-slip ladder.
Such containers should be designed immediately with the main building of the bathhouse in order to make a reliable frame and fill. In-depth models are considered the most comfortable, functional and durable. The best option for placing them inside the bathhouse is the dressing room. - Pouring. The simplest type of font, but due to the peculiarities of the procedure, which involves a sharp dousing of the body, is not suitable for everyone. A special ladle, barrel or any other container is simply mounted on the wall and turned over at the right time using a lever.
In terms of maintenance, such bathtubs are the simplest and do not require special care. They are usually installed only where it is not possible to equip a full-fledged swimming pool or open tank. - Open. Typically, such tanks are installed next to or inside the bathhouse, connecting to a common water supply and sewerage network. At their core, these are simply large barrels made of wood, metal, stone or plastic of various shapes and volumes, which can also be equipped with a ladder.
Expert opinion
Lovkachev Boris Petrovich
Bath master who knows everything about steaming
Attention! Recessed hot tubs can also be installed outdoors. But in such tanks it is better to provide a heating system if you plan to use it in the cold season.
Manufacturers of hot tubs and barrels for baths
Wooden and polypropylene vessels are in greatest demand. In this sector of production, experts have identified manufacturers with the largest number of positive reviews. We chose from several companies those that have small sizes, a reasonable price tag and decent quality.
Phytospring
The Novosibirsk company has been operating since 2002. Produces swimming pools, barrels, prefabricated saunas, and bath paraphernalia. The main raw materials are oak, cedar and larch wood. It produces about 100 models of various shapes and sizes. Parts are treated with wax for greater durability. The assortment includes a budget sector - a polymer bowl with designer wood trim.
Characteristics of the wooden container size: H-100, D-106, W-59 cm.
| Material | Larch | Altai cedar | Oak |
| Form | Oval, circle, angle, double oval, double circle | ||
| Wall thickness ±0.5 (cm) | 2.8 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Fastening | Screw connection of hoops | ||
| Coating | Waxed inside and out | ||
| approximate price | from 31,900 rub. | from 32,900 rub. | from 44,900 rub. |
| Equipment | Seat, ladder, hoop adjustment key, drain (overflow), passport. Additionally optional: podium, thermal cover, collapsible stand, case | ||
Characteristics of a hot tub with a plastic bowl
| Bowl material | Composite | Polypropylene |
| Finishing | pine, oak | cedar, larch, oak, thermo-ash |
| Form | oval, circle, angle | oval, circle, angle, double models |
| Wall thickness ±0.5 (cm) | 2.5 | 2,5; 3,5 |
| Fastening | Screw connection | |
| Coating | outside - water-repellent | outside - varnish |
| approximate price | oval 110 x 125 x 79 cm, pine finish - from RUB 63,900. | double model 128 x 200 cm, thermo-ash trim - up to RUB 619,900. |
| Equipment | drain (overflow), village ladder and seat, passport. Optional: stain treatment (free), thermal cover, insulation, cover. | drain-overflow, passport. Additionally: electric heating, stainless steel staircase, aero-hydromassage, mixer, lighting, wood. ladder, seat, plastic seat. |
bath font Fitorodnik
Advantages:
- the non-dismountable phyto-barrel did not fit into the door, they replaced it with a collapsible one - they brought it, installed it, connected it - excellent service;
- beautiful, high quality, smooth, smells like cedar a mile away;
- noticeable effect from the procedures: normal sleep, refreshed skin, healed joints;
Flaws:
- sometimes the build quality is poor, the steam generator is a completely incomprehensible ancient device;
- the heating element is soldered into the tank; if it burns out, the entire tank will have to be replaced;
BentWood
A furniture company that makes furniture, accessories for baths and saunas, has been operating in the Moscow region (Electrougli) since 1998. Modern technology: sawn tongue-and-groove rivets, which are glued (spliced), tightened with hoops, and coated with polyurethane varnish. The main raw materials are oak and larch. The containers are suitable for baths, saunas, and outdoors (there are models with stoves).
| Form | Round | Oval | Corner |
| Material | oak, cedar, larch | ||
| Wall thickness (cm) | oak, larch: 2.5 - 2.8 cedar: 3.4 - 3.6 | ||
| Fastening | screw hoop connection | ||
| Coating | polyurethane | ||
| approximate price | cedar 100 x 117 cm - from RUB 39,000. | cedar 100 x 106 x 59 cm - from RUB 27,000. | Cedar 100 x 110 x 110 cm - from RUB 38,000. |
| Equipment | Ladder with 2 steps, seats, internal drain (overflow), hoop adjustment key, passport. Additionally: wooden handrail, external stove, external overflow. | ||
Due to polyurethane, the products are airtight and do not swell from water, but the woody smell is not strong. The tree performs decorative functions. The manufacturer produces several models from spliced parts (not solid rivets), which are 10% cheaper.
sauna font BentWood
Advantages:
- natural wood - tangible health benefits;
- Due to polyurethane, the products are airtight and do not swell, but the woody smell is not strong. The tree acts here as decor. The manufacturer produces several models from spliced parts (not solid rivets), this is 10% cheaper;
- excellent equipment: there is a comfortable ladder, a seat;
- looks amazing in the bathhouse, doesn’t take up much space, cool thing;
- worth the money you paid.
Flaws:
- not detected.
RosKedr
Altai manufacturer of phyto-barrels, phytosaunas made from Siberian cedar on the market since 2003. Modest assortment - only 2 models are produced by the manufacturer, but they are natural and unique. The company focuses on traditional cooperage technologies. No adhesives or composite coatings are used in production; most of the work is done by hand. They are made from split rivets, which makes it possible to achieve tightness without impregnation. In addition, the tanks are designed for small baths; they are in great demand. The main advantage is the cedar smell, healing effect.
| Form | Circle | Oval |
| Material | chopped cedar without coating | |
| Attaching the hoops | rivets | |
| Dimensions (H x W x D; H x D), cm | 81 x 77 | 93 x 131 x 91 |
| Equipment | container, seat with fastening, step, hoops, passport, certificates. Additionally: decoration. | |
| Approximate cost (RUB) | 35000 | 65000 |
bath font RosKedr
Advantages:
- cedar really heals, in 2 years this unique barrel has not had a single malfunction;
- the only company that makes products using ancient technologies by hand, which significantly increases their service life;
- absolutely environmentally friendly products;
- the prices are not inflated, the phyto-barrel is worth it;
- from reviews: I studied it, tried it in a sanatorium, now I have one at home - the best medicine.
Flaws:
- gaps in service: they sent a pine barrel instead of a cedar one, they deceived us;
- There are problems with exchanging goods if you are not satisfied with something.
ElitePolymer
The manufacturer of polypropylene containers is based in the Moscow region (Lytkarino). The plant produces about forty standard varieties. Products are sewn on special machines from sheets. All hot tubs are built-in. They are not afraid of sunlight. They work to order, where there are additional options and all kinds of variations, such as exterior wood trim. The product is suitable for saunas, baths, and outdoor placement.
| Form | Corner | Circle | Rectangle |
| Material | Polypropylene | ||
| Equipment | Capacity Additional: drain (overflow), filter, aero-hydromassage systems, stairs, lighting, seats (wood, plastic), exterior decoration | ||
| Approximate price (RUB) | 120 x 100 x 100 cm - from 20,000; 150 x 150 x 150 cm - up to 38,000. | 120 x 150 cm - from 35,000; 150 x 600 cm - up to 200,000. | 150 x 200 x 200 cm - from 60,000; 150 x 300 x 300 cm - up to 116,000. |
bath font ElitePolymer
Advantages:
- excellent phyto-barrel - aromatic, warm;
- an economical option is obtained if it can fit into the room;
- large selection of additional functions;
- Great for treating the lower back during sedentary work. After the gym it’s absolutely a bomb;
- high-quality product - without a hitch, installed it myself in 20 minutes;
- I put it in the bathroom in my apartment, no saunas are needed for health now - the barrel does the job.
Flaws:
- there is counterfeit under the guise of this company, be careful with small companies making counterfeits of a reputable brand.
Choosing the material of manufacture
The market offers models not only of different sizes and shapes, but also made from a variety of materials. And this is great, because you can choose a product that suits you perfectly and fits perfectly into the proposed interior.
Wood: collaboration with natural material
What could be more natural than quality wood? After all, we all know that the famous Russian bathhouse was built entirely from solid wood. For this reason, the wooden sitz bathtub is becoming increasingly popular and in demand today.
The compact font is made of larch, beech, oak or cedar. These types of wood allow it not to lose its attractiveness for many years and, in addition, such a bath will not develop fungus or mold, which can harm human health.
The wooden model is ideally designed for water procedures. Doing this in such a font is both pleasant and useful
When making a bowl from wood, it is treated with special moisture-resistant compounds, which, with proper care, significantly increase its useful life. Not only the bathtub itself can be wooden, but also the accessories that surround it, helping it to fit organically into any interior.
When varnished, the wooden model makes a very favorable impression. You want to touch it, stroke its surface and, of course, use it for its intended purpose. A tree is part of living nature: the substances it secretes are not capable of causing an allergic reaction. But not everyone is financially able to have such a model.
The only disadvantage of this choice, which you definitely need to know about, is that this bowl can only be used for bathing
You cannot do laundry, wash animals, or thoroughly wash yourself in such a bath; as a rule, these products are intended for short-term use.
Acrylic - the leader of modern plumbing
Wood is a good but expensive option. Moreover, there is also quite affordable acrylic, which really is the leader of the modern plumbing market.
Global commodity producers place their main emphasis on this material. Bowls of all kinds of colors and the most bizarre shapes are made from it. If your bathroom lacks brightness and appeal, then an acrylic hot tub is what you need. As a finishing touch, it is appropriate to use dim lighting that maintains intrigue and mystery.
As for external effects, no other model can compare with an acrylic bathtub. However, it is also convenient to use
With the help of a modest acrylic bowl, you can literally transform the most ordinary room. The fact is that acrylic can imitate very expensive materials. This will create the illusion of onyx or marble. Against the backdrop of wallpaper depicting natural silk, such a bathtub can both surprise and delight.
If the lighting design of the room and high-quality plumbing complement the interior, your bathroom will have the opportunity to look not just neat, but luxurious.
Acrylic sitz baths are produced by both foreign and domestic companies. The advantage of acrylic plumbing fixtures produced in Russia can be considered its better suitability to the quality of our water.
Our acrylic bathtubs are prepared for more severe operating conditions, so they can be considered more reliable and durable.
Relatively inexpensive steel
Steel models are not as heavy as cast iron products. However, they attract their customers not with their weight, but with their relatively low cost. But during the operation of steel hot tubs, some shortcomings are revealed, about which we want to warn you in advance.
- Steel has high thermal conductivity. It quickly releases heat to the environment. You won’t have to soak in such a bath: the water in it will cool down very quickly. For some medical procedures, this very circumstance may turn out to be an insurmountable obstacle.
- When operating such a product, you should carefully monitor the integrity of its outer coating. In these baths, its layer is usually thin. If the coating is not restored, the bowl may fail because it will become covered with rust.
A steel bathtub can also look very attractive. If you solve the problem with its thermal conductivity, it can become a decoration for your bathroom
Knowing about the shortcomings of steel products, manufacturers are looking for a way out of the situation and are trying to improve the design of the font. The steel is equipped with a plastic body, and the cavity between the body and the base is filled with a special filler, the thermal conductivity of which is low.
In this case, the heat of the water is saved, and the water jet does not make a sharp sound when hitting the protected bottom of the bath.
Solid cast iron products
Heavy cast iron bathtubs are still preserved in old houses. Their owners are in no hurry to part with them for a very simple reason: heavy weight is practically the only drawback of this model.
And it manifests itself only in one case, when the bathtub has to be transported.
If you have a cast iron sitz bath and don't need a variety of water treatments for medical reasons, then why not keep what you already have
But the undoubted advantages of cast iron are:
- the ability to retain the heat of the water filling the bowl;
- long service life;
- high resistance to mechanical damage.
It is not the font itself that may be damaged, but its enamel coating. But this problem can be successfully solved if you place an acrylic liner in the old bathtub or apply a new acrylic or enamel coating to its surface.
How much does a bath font cost?
If we compare materials, the most expensive models are wooden, they are three times more expensive than plastic. A larch bowl per cubic meter costs approximately 45 TR, an oak bowl - 110 TR, a cedar bowl - 70 TR, a polypropylene bowl of the same size - 20 TR. By decorating plastic with wood, we get a big increase in price. If you do the installation and cladding yourself, it will be profitable and convenient.
It is difficult to propose a specific model. The production is so individual and unique that the cost can only be discussed as an average. If you choose a budget built-in plastic container, look at the “ElitePolymer” models, where the price tag starts from 20 tr.
The best traditional herbal barrels (single or double) are produced by RosKedr, starting at a price tag of 35 thousand rubles. Glued varnish at a convenient price can be found at BentWood, where the price tag starts from 27 thousand rubles.
Choosing a sitz bath
A bathtub is not a cheap purchase, so you need to choose it carefully. The first step is to find a place in the bathroom where you intend to install it.
Then you need to make sure that the model you plan to buy will match the body parameters and ages of all family members.
If you are the owner of a tiny bathroom with practically no free space, do not despair: take a closer look at the corner sitz bathtub, it may be the solution to your problems
Measure and record the parameters of your utilities that will be connected to the bathtub. Check to see if a corner bath would be the best option for your bathroom?
Decide what color of bowl you should look for so that the model fits optimally into the interior you are creating.
The proposed purchase must be carefully inspected. There should be no damage to it: cracks, chips or dents. The surface of the product must be smooth with a sufficient layer of enamel. Make sure the hot tub you choose is deep enough.
Inspect the outer walls of the bowl: they should have an anti-corrosion coating. Check that the holes in the bathtub match the parameters of your utilities.
Notes from experienced bath attendants
Those who constantly encounter bath products know all their best sides and problems. These little things are not talked about on the manufacturers’ websites, but they are useful for those who are planning to purchase a hot tub. Here are some subtleties from the professionals.
- The most convenient height option is 1.2 m.
- Ensure that the tank is in a vertical position. Provide it with steps, benches, and handrails. Eliminate slippery surfaces (place mats, towels).
- The most reliable tree is larch. This can even be installed outdoors. Next in terms of biostability are oak, cedar, and pine.
- If you choose one with a stove, look for one with an internal one, it is more efficient. Stainless steel with a thickness of at least 2 mm is guaranteed not to burn out or rust.
- A new wooden barrel may leak when first filled, this is normal. Within a day, the wood will swell and the flow will stop. If this does not happen, change the product, this is a defect.
- The wooden font must be constantly filled with water, which must be changed periodically. The water must be clean and fresh. Polypropylene models are absolutely unpretentious in everyday life.
- Do not place a wooden tank near heating sources, as this may cause the wood to dry out.
- Proper care of a wooden tank:
- cleaning with non-abrasive detergents;
- prevent water from freezing (outside);
- protect from direct sunlight;
- tighten the nuts on the hoops in a timely manner, preventing leakage (check once a month);
- Don’t forget to change the water, be sure to drain it to avoid the appearance of green mold.
9. It is practical, convenient, and useful to have a drain hole into the sewer, as well as a filter for water purification. Other bells and whistles can be added or not.
By the way! Having studied the materials, handy owners can build a font themselves. This applies to concrete street, metal, polypropylene (inside or outside the sauna) options. If you are not a carpenter, you can buy a wooden barrel in a store, and do the rest yourself. You will need skills in constructing a pit, the ability to lay concrete, lay tiles, and connect electrical and gas equipment.
Why do you need a font for a bath-sauna if there are snowdrifts in winter and a lake in summer? It is safer than natural sources, the water is cleaner, has a controlled temperature, and frees you from long distances in negligee to the reservoir and back. But in general, a bathhouse without a font cannot be considered a real Russian bathhouse, giving health, mood, and pleasure. Choose, use and improve your health with pleasure.
Preparing tools
The technology for manufacturing a wooden tank requires a certain set of tools. To work, you need a tape measure, a building level, a simple pencil, a hacksaw, a can of sealant and a glue gun. You will also need a drill and a round wood bit, a router that allows you to make grooves in the panels and process the edges. To process boards, you need a sanding machine and special sandpaper. This is due to the fact that all surfaces of the font must be smooth and even.
The router allows you to create grooves in panels
Acrylic
A type of polymer material is a more expensive solution than plastic, but is not inferior in quality.
Reinforced acrylic with an antibacterial coating requires the installation of a frame structure, which will ensure proper distribution of the load on the bowl.
Style direction
As for style, bowl manufacturers are already doing their best! There are bathtubs on the market made in exquisite historical styles, multifunctional modern, colorful ethnic styles. I don’t see the point in listing all the styles, since this will certainly take the whole day, or even more.
But I will say one thing: containers in historical directions will ideally fit into bathhouses owned by people who want to enjoy the spirit of bygone days. Innovative bowls are perfect for steam room owners who keep up with the times. Marvelous ethnic tanks are perfect for saunas of individuals who adore the flavor of picturesque countries.
Thus, dear friends, the font will fit perfectly into bathhouses decorated in a wide variety of styles.
Metal
This is a rather expensive solution and does not have any high aesthetics, so it is better to use different materials for decoration.
Galvanized metal or alloys must be cleaned with the procedure of draining the bowl, which is associated with additional costs for measures to care for the structure.
Concrete
The concrete structure is no different in reliability from a polypropylene bath font, but it can be made independently in the desired shape.
Durable containers can be repaired with your own hands and used for aesthetic design using a variety of decorating and finishing materials at your discretion.
