By the way, some of the material will not be repeated, since you can find it in expanded form on other pages of our website (follow the links in the text). This will allow you to tell more useful things in the step-by-step guide.
What size should shelves be for a bath?
Experts have established acceptable dimensions for shelves installed in bathhouses. The development includes floorings that allow you to sit comfortably during bath procedures, sit on them or lie down.
The main parameters were derived based on the person’s convenient location:
- The average length of the shelf was calculated so that a person could bend his knees when lying down. It turned out to be 1.5 m.
- So that a person can sit comfortably on the shelf at full height, the length was set to 1.8 m. Then the legs no longer have to be bent at the knees.
- In addition to standard parameters, there are custom sizes. Since it happens that a person is taller than average and needs a longer shelf to enjoy the process, he feels comfortable in the steam room. Lengths up to 2 meters or exceeding this parameter are selected.
- The smallest parameter for the width of the shelf is chosen to be 40 cm. This can be the size of the bottom shelf on which you stand with your feet and which plays the role of a stand. You can stand on it, but you can also sit on it when you need to cool down.
- The width can reach up to 60 cm. But such benches are not comfortable for steaming while lying down.
- The most comfortable width shelves are 90 cm. A person of any size can sit comfortably across them, tuck his legs in, or lie down.
An important role is played not only by the properly constructed structure of the bathhouse, but also by its internal arrangement.
Pull-out shelves in the steam room (sauna)
A convenient design option is a pull-out type of shelves. It allows you to sit comfortably on the upper tier with your feet on the lower one. Also, the lowest shelf slides in, which frees up the passage and increases the space for movement. Steamers use a pull-out shelf to place a container with water for supply, a steamer with brooms, etc.
To create shelves with a sliding mechanism, place bars on the end walls of the room. The next step is to secure the axes. Attach one end to the block on the wall, and the other to the end of the lounger (from the inside). Then put special wooden strips on the axle, which will act as levers. We make cuts on the upper parts of these planks (at the corners), which will allow the mechanism to work easily and freely.
The thickness of the bars that are fixed in the wall should be the same as the thickness of the end elements of the board. According to the principle of operation, this mechanism resembles the device of a sliding sofa. Therefore, when designing it, be guided by an already familiar scheme. This mechanism allows you to extend the shelf to almost any required distance. The lounger is supported on the legs.
The main condition for installing fasteners is careful camouflage of metal elements. Under no circumstances should any part be placed on the surface of the wood, otherwise there is a risk of burns. Recess the caps of the elements as deep as possible into the surface of the shelves. It is also possible to place the screws on the back side of the wooden device.
The safest (and also environmentally friendly) option is to use special oak wedges. They are hammered into pre-prepared holes. However, this method is difficult to implement and requires strength, dexterity and experience.
It is possible to mount a special backrest on the wall for future shelves. It is made of three boards that are attached to vertical posts. Thanks to this backrest, the risk of skin damage or minor burns in contact with the steam room casing is eliminated.
Common shelf shapes
When making shelves for baths, take into account several shapes that can be given to them:
- Stepped shelves. They are placed along one wall using the principle of steps. Massive benches with several tiers are being constructed. Those occupying the upper shelves feel a higher temperature. The heat in the steam room is always concentrated in the upper part.
- Varieties of corner shelves. The advantage is its compact size. A large spatial volume is not taken up. Installing corner structures is an ideal solution for small baths. The shelves are arranged in such a way that the upper and lower parts are adjacent to one partition. The intermediate part is attached to the adjacent wall.
- Designs of prefabricated models. They are convenient for small steam rooms. Most often, the installation of removable shelves occurs at the bottom and top of the structure. When the shelves are dismantled, warm air accelerates. In turn, this allows all wooden elements in the steam room to dry much faster.
- Shape of folding shelves. The second name they have is compartment shelves. The design of the compartment shelves in a railway carriage is similar. The design works simply. The upper shelf can, if necessary, be raised and installed vertically to the wall surface. This functionality is beneficial. The design of the folding shelves allows you to save space in the room.
It is necessary to competently equip the resulting structure, equipping it with all the necessary components.
Sliding shelf for a bath - video
Removable shelf in the bathhouse and sauna
A removable shelf is a separate shelf surface (sidewall or seat), which is not connected to the frame in any way and can be removed if necessary. The main reasons why owners resort to such a design are the features of the sauna room and layout, ease of cleaning and replacing equipment or lighting under the shelf. The grooves in the frame help fasten and fix the removable shelf , but the main load for holding the removable structure is provided by special fasteners. There are several types of fastenings for a removable shelf - read more - “Removable shelves in baths and saunas”
How to treat shelves in a steam room (sauna)
An important stage in creating a structure is its treatment with special protective agents. If you ignore this point, the wood will soon become unusable, become damp, and the mechanism will have to be reinstalled. Rot and mold are enemies number one, and it is better to prevent their occurrence than to waste energy on the fight in the future.
It is strictly forbidden to use traditional chemicals - varnish and drying oil - to treat shelves in a bathhouse , because in such critical conditions these substances emit a sharp, unpleasant reserve, and contact with the skin of such vapors can provoke a severe allergic reaction.
You should purchase a special impregnation for the bath, which is based on natural oils that create a protective film . These products effectively counteract moisture and protect the surface of the shelf from premature “aging”. It is customary to treat only benches with such impregnation; for floors there are stronger mixtures that do not emit an unpleasant odor or harmful fumes.
Bath shelf care
The issue of hygiene and cleanliness in the bathhouse always remains relevant. And although the temperature in the steam room does its job, killing most bacteria and germs, you need to remember about dirt. Sweat also comes out of our body when taking bath procedures. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically wash it off the surface of the floor and the wooden structure of the shelf with ordinary warm water.
No newfangled detergents should be used to wash benches in the bathhouse. The maximum that can be useful for keeping the room clean is ordinary laundry soap . In case of severe contamination, you can always organize mechanical cleaning of the wood with an abrasive material.
The steam room has always been and will be the heart of the bathhouse. Climbing onto a warm shelf, you will forget about the hustle and bustle and fly away to the heights of pleasure. The shelves seem to have a very simple design. However, wood flooring is not so simple. Follow our tips and recommendations and you will know how to make bath shelves comfortable and reliable.
Accessories for a shelf in a bathhouse
After you have built the shelves in the bathhouse, you can install additional elements that increase the level of comfort. A headrest or pillow looks similar - like a footbox. “Pillows” can also be stationary in the form of a triangle attached to the bench or removable ( headrests ). The space between the levels of benches can be left open, but it is advisable to build backrests.
When a person is lying on a bench, he should raise his legs higher than his head, because this part of the body warms up slowly and additionally requires a temperature “load” to improve the outflow of blood. Stationary supports are beams placed on the wall, on which you should rest your feet. For convenience, they traditionally make a couple of steps. On a shelf in a bathhouse you can often see removable footrests - two wide boards that are connected to each other at an angle of 30-45 degrees. One side with the bench forms a right angle and acts as a support, while the other serves as a ribbed “slide” designed to position the legs.
All sorts of tubs, tubs and gangs will not be superfluous . You can, of course, get by with household plastic or metal containers, but wooden products create a special atmosphere and have a positive effect on the well-being and health of bath-goers. A variety of sauna ladles are also important - they are needed to supply water to the hot stones of the heater. Moreover, their handle must be long - otherwise the cloud of steam will cause a serious burn.
Location Features
It is important to know that shelves in bathhouses are not attached near the walls in which window openings are installed. The danger is that the glass may break if exposed to hot steam. Shards can injure people. Steam rooms with windows have a limited number of shelving options. More precisely, they are placed along solid walls without windows and glazed ventilation vents.
Their design features primarily depend on the area of the room and its height.
The diagrams for installing shelves in a bathhouse in a steam room represent the following types of arrangement:
- Installation of 1 to three rows of shelves is carried out along one wall along the surface. The shelves are fixed one above the other.
- Installing shelves in the letter L, when the design can have several different layout options. For example, two or three shelves are placed along each wall. The upper and lower ones are fixed on wider long walls, the middle shelf is installed lengthwise on the adjacent short wall.
- Two structures are installed parallel on opposite walls. The arrangement is arranged like train compartment shelves. Structures are fixed symmetrically along one line or asymmetrically.
Types and designs
There are several popular types of canopies: The first of them is considered the most common.
- These are ordinary shelves.
- These are ordinary benches, both in small steam rooms and in large spacious rooms;
- The popularity of beds is somewhat lower, although they can be found in various bathhouses;
- Finally, a sun lounger. It is no different from its “beach” counterpart. It can be easily adapted as a bed or chair.
Thanks to this functionality, their presence is very appropriate, but is not traditional for the interior decoration of a Russian bathhouse.
When decorating a steam room in the style of Russian traditions, do not forget that there is no need to decorate the bed with decorative elements, which can also cause injury. Everything should be as simple as possible.
A small selection of configurations indicates a small space in the bathhouse. Only in this case it warms up quickly and does not require a large amount of fuel resources.
Therefore, an ordinary rectangle best satisfies the needs of craftsmen.
How to make shelves in a bathhouse with your own hands
Experts, advising on how to make shelves in a bathhouse with your own hands, claim that such work is easy to do. If you do the work yourself, you need to pay special attention to step-by-step guidance, development of drawings, plans, diagrams. It is advisable to use visual material: photographs with views from catalogs and from the Internet, videos. It is also important to choose the right material and purchase the right tools.
It is customary to place shelves for a steam room either along one of the walls, or near two walls that are parallel to each other.
What material is best to make it from?
It is better to use natural types of wood for production. This material for shelves is considered the most optimal for a steam room. Natural wood is highly environmentally friendly, does not require complex processing, and has a traditional, attractive appearance.
Shelves for a steam room must be made of well-processed and high-quality materials that are free from damage and serious defects.
Important! Wood without defects should be used. The surface eliminates roughness.
Several products and wood are taken as the main materials for work:
- Bars are required for the construction of the frame. Or they can be replaced with thick boards. The cross-section of the timber may vary. The standard parameters of the beam cross-section are 50*50 mm, 50*80 mm. More massive timber allows - 100*100 mm.
Important! As the cross-section of frame supports decreases, the frequency of their installation increases. Because the load should be distributed evenly.
- The purchase of edged boards and linings is carried out for flooring. The thickness of the boards is up to 25 mm. The width should be 4 times the thickness. The number of boards is calculated based on the fastening pitch. The fixed step, according to the recommendation of specialists, is from 1 to 2 cm.
- The fastening elements are self-tapping screws. Additionally, galvanized steel corners are used. To make folding shelves, use hinges made of stainless steel.
The material must have minimal thermal conductivity, otherwise the bench will become very hot - sitting and lying on it will be uncomfortable.
What tools will you need?
To work, you need to stock up on a number of tools:
- screwdriver;
- a hacksaw working on metal;
- construction mallet;
- hammer for driving fasteners;
- tape measure and pencil for measuring distances and fixing markings;
- chisel;
- jigsaw for cutting wood;
- sandpaper for sanding.
To make it, you need to strictly follow the step-by-step instructions and use good materials and tools in your work.
Carrying out calculations and drawing up drawings
Independent installation of bath furniture always involves careful preparation. Before you start setting up a steam room in a bathhouse, you need to prepare drawings, diagrams, and perform accurate calculations. You will need to mark the area of the steam room in the plan, mark the levels of the shelves and their parameters on a reduced scale, and take into account other important details.
The wood should not contain resin - it will release at high temperatures and stick to the skin.
To make shelves for a bathhouse with your own hands, drawings and assembly diagrams are strictly necessary. Design is done manually or using special computer programs. The latter option is seen as beneficial for users who do not have experience in arranging steam rooms. Those who own the programs can eventually view the preliminary result of the work in 3D format.
The wood must easily tolerate high humidity, otherwise the shelves will not last long in a steam room.
Calculations are carried out taking into account the choice of the number of tiers. Traditionally, single-tier shelves are installed in Russian baths. However, many owners of steam rooms prefer two- and three-tier shelves. The choice of multi-level benches is typical for saunas, where people have to sit rather than lie down.
Step-by-step description of the process of manufacturing and fastening shelves
Before starting work on assembling the shelves in the bathhouse, it is necessary to prepare the supports. They should be given the required length. The production of transverse jumpers is also carried out. It would be correct to use the instructions. To install a shelf in a steam room with your own hands, step-by-step instructions are necessary to get the desired result.
Bath shops like these are the most common. With such a structure, the shelves are installed on one wall, and they are arranged according to the principle of steps.
Assembly occurs in stages:
- The frame elements are attached from the top tier. They should fit snugly against the wall. The support bars are being secured for subsequent installation of the shelf. This is called a harness. For fastening strength, metal corners are used. Sometimes they use the method of cutting into half a tree.
- Opposite the exposed supports, parallel installation of the second row of racks is carried out. The connection of the first and second rows is made by transverse jumpers. The horizontal jumpers of the support are fastened to form the outer trim.
- The outer trim is fastened together with the frame of the lower tier.
Important! To ensure that moisture has minimal impact on the supports, before fixing the flooring, rubber gaskets are placed on them or plastic types are used. - Next, the flooring is laid perpendicular to the frame posts, lengthwise. For it, take edged boards 20*120 mm, 3.5 m long. They are fixed with pins in increments of -1-2 cm. Sometimes wooden nails are used. To secure the boards, galvanized screws are often used.
- Corners are rounded and sanded. Boards become more convenient and safe. Sanding is carried out before assembly and after fixing the material.
In such models, the shelf at the very top is much hotter than at the lowest level.
Material for bath canopy
Wood for a bath shelf must meet several criteria:
- Do not release resin when heated.
- Excellent tolerance to elevated air temperatures and humidity.
- Be resistant to fire.
- Have reduced thermal conductivity so that the material does not heat up and allows visitors to relax on the warm wood of the shelf.
- Be stable in use (do not delaminate, without knots and splinters).
Coniferous wood is not suitable for constructing a bathhouse canopy. The material will release a lot of resin, which becomes extremely hot in the bath, sticks to the body, hair and clothes, and can also cause a burn.
It is recommended to build the frame of the canopy from inexpensive pine, but not the sunbeds themselves. The resin will allow the frame legs to more easily tolerate moisture and not rot.
Suitable for bath canopy seats:
- Linden is a popular material with an optimal price-quality ratio. It is worth noting the pleasant light shade of linden, its delightful aroma, low thermal conductivity and high performance characteristics.
- Alder is a practical and durable wood, but the price of the material is slightly higher than linden. Alder heats up less and demonstrates high resistance to elevated temperatures and humidity.
- Aspen is an excellent and inexpensive material for a bathhouse, durable and reliable, not prone to rotting, but after a while the wood turns gray.
- Abash (African oak) is an elite type of wood that does not split during installation, does not rot, does not change its size after installation, does not easily absorb moisture, and does not change its color. The main advantage of wood is the complete absence of knots.
Tips for caring for bath shelves
Following the advice given by experts will help keep your racks clean and ensure they last a long time.
- Serious stains can be removed with a brush.
- Light cleaning to get rid of dust should be done using laundry soap.
- When cleaning, you should avoid chemical detergents and do not use washing powders.
- After staying in the steam room, it is important to complete the process of drying the shelves, benches, and the entire room as a whole. You should also regularly check that the ventilation system is working properly.
Types of shelves and their purpose
At one time, we talked in detail about such an important accessory for a bath interior as a bath hanger. It also helps in organizing the bath space, but mostly takes on bulky items, such as outerwear, towels, and bathrobes. Sometimes hangers are equipped with a shelf for storing hats and bath caps. And this is already close to our topic today.
Wall shelves
Bath wall shelves are perhaps the most common and familiar item to many. They represent a horizontal platform, which is fixed to the wall by means of hanging elements, commonly called ears or support brackets.
Important! Let us immediately note that the load-bearing capacity of a system with brackets is higher, since it more evenly distributes and accepts both its own weight and the weight of the payload.
A wall shelf for a bathhouse can be single or multi-level, and it is quite obvious that the greater the number of elements in the system, the more reliable its fastening should be.
Floor systems can also be multi-level, that is, the main load distribution occurs not on the adjacent vertical wall, but on the underlying horizontal surface - the floor, but this is already a shelf, and it can be classified rather conditionally as a shelf.
Wall shelves can be very long and occupy almost the entire length of the wall. This solution, of course, has enormous capacity in terms of capacity, but is more the province of garages and sheds than bathhouses. Although, if your home sauna is equipped with a technical room, then why not use its full potential and place not only your own annual supply of brooms on large areas, but also take your neighbor’s for safekeeping.
Corner shelves
Many bathhouse practitioners have never learned to make good use of the space in the corners. Although, there are a lot of opportunities for this, starting from corner baths and ending with the mentioned shelves. What are the benefits of corner structures:
- The internal space of the bathhouse is used rationally, which is especially important for small room sizes;
- They have a higher load-bearing capacity, since they are fixed on both walls adjacent to each other;
- Such a system can be successfully played out in an interesting interior way; it leaves more opportunities for free creativity and flight of thought;
- Finally, the most important thing is that the corner design does not take up space on the main length of the wall, but it can be occupied by window and door openings, kitchen corners, bar counters and other things.
Combined designs
Some intermediate position, which may include the main features of a corner shelf and a wall shelf, have supports similar to a shelf, can be equipped with hooks and, as a result, be similar to a bath hanger. In general, this is the widest and most universal type, in our understanding; however, it is unlikely that you will be able to make such shelves in a bathhouse with your own hands in one evening - after all, the design is far from primitive.
Methods for arranging regiments
There are many schemes for arranging regiments. Your choice should be based on the size of the steam room, the presence of windows and other features of the room. Before making shelves in the bathhouse, it is recommended to study various drawings and diagrams of arranging interior items in the steam room, and then choose the most suitable one from all the options. As a rule, the shelves are located:
- As a single linear structure along one of the walls in one or several tiers.
- An L-shaped design along the adjacent walls of the steam room will help make the most efficient use of the usable area. There are a great many options for how to make corner shelves in a bathhouse, among which you can find the right one.
- Several separate shelves on each wall. Often, low and high linear benches are installed along a long wall, and shelves at medium height are mounted along the adjacent wall.
Options for the arrangement of shelves in the steam room
This way you can see the mistakes made in time and eliminate them at the planning stage. In addition, accurate measurements and calculations will be needed to purchase the necessary materials.
Manufacturing
To make shelves of the required size for a suitable number of people, you should prepare the necessary tools and materials. To work you will need:
- wooden boards from the selected wood species;
- wooden beam;
- stand boards for fastening the structure;
- self-tapping screws;
- corner;
- nails.
At the initial stage, the instructions provide for assembling a frame for future shelves.
Assembling the frame base and installing the flooring
The wooden frame base is assembled from 10 prepared beams with a cross-section of 5 × 7 cm and 5 rack boards for attaching shelves. The beams for the frame are mounted vertically and fastened horizontally to each other using strapping. Fixation to the racks is carried out using a paired connecting element.
To provide additional strength, the structure is additionally mounted to the wall surface.
Smooth boards pre-treated with an antiseptic are used as flooring. Installation of boards is carried out in compliance with the technological gap between them of 6 mm. For the lower shelf, 3 boards are used, for the upper bench - 7.
Next, the flooring is installed on the prepared frame with fixation using self-tapping screws, which must be recessed 5 mm deep into the wood. The fastening elements are driven in from the reverse side of the shelves. The boards are laid with a gap at a slight inclination of 2 degrees.
Fixation of the structure
The shelves are fixed to the wall while maintaining a gap of 11 cm. The bottom shelf has a movable structure mounted on special mechanisms - runners, which simplifies the process of cleaning the steam room.
The photo shows a step-by-step algorithm.
In places where the wooden frame of the shelves comes into contact with the floor surface, special rubber gaskets are installed for additional waterproofing.
Types of bath furniture: photo gallery
You can put a samovar in the dressing room
An interesting option is a designer bathhouse made from cut boards
Knightly style is suitable for decorating a Russian bath
A lived-in waiting room makes the bathhouse cozy
Furniture for a simple rustic log bathhouse is easy to make with your own hands
A large bathhouse for many people is equipped with three-tier shelves
Curved lines make bath furniture stylish and original
For convenience, you can equip the shelves with lighting
Bathrooms in a Russian bath can be made of any width
You can make bath furniture with your own hands. The described recommendations and instructions will make the process quick and easy.
Features of the Finnish sauna and Russian bath
Before you start arranging the shelf, you need to decide on the type of steam room. Each type has individual characteristics.
Table 1. Differences between Finnish sauna and Russian bath
| Type | Characteristic |
| Finnish | Due to the fact that humidity does not exceed 20%, the air in the steam room is dry. Temperature ranges from 90 to 100°C. This microclimate is not suitable for people susceptible to respiratory diseases. Steam negatively affects the mucous membranes and causes coughing. |
| Russian | The humidity level is close to natural, reaching 70%, and the temperature ranges from 50 to 80°C. Good thermal conductivity of moist air contributes to the heating of the human body and the release of toxins. |
Unlike a sauna, being in a bathhouse does not lead to tachycardia
Key differences:
- Thermal sensations from heated air. In the Finnish steam room, steam has a scalding effect. This occurs due to low humidity levels. In Russian steam rooms the air is light and does not provoke a burning sensation.
- Location of stones. In the sauna they are placed in an open space. In the bathhouse, rock fragments are placed in closed stoves, which are regularly opened for watering. This helps to enhance the steam.
Stones for stoves
- Availability of a swimming pool. A sharp change from hot steam to cold water hardens the body. Water tanks are typical for Finnish establishments. They are less common in Russians, since traditionally baths were built near bodies of water. Often in domestic steam rooms a wooden font is installed.
- Broom. A typical attribute of a Russian steam room. This bath accessory is made of oak, cedar or birch. Hitting the body with a broom soaked in hot water increases sweating and accelerates the blood. It is not used in the sauna because it does not have the desired effect at low humidity.
Specifics of the Russian steam room
It is customary to lie in the bathhouse. This nuance is of decisive importance during the construction of the regiment. In addition, the percentage of moisture present is important. High humidity levels slow down the movement of air masses
This factor must be taken into account when arranging wooden sun loungers.
General recommendations:
- Large gap between blanks for improved air conditioning.
- A slight inclination of the sunbeds to organize water drainage.
- Removable or non-sewn sides to optimize cleaning.
- Wide distance between the shelf and the wall to prevent water from entering the frame.
- When calculating the height of the upper tier, the mandatory distance of 1 m between the head of the soaring person and the ceiling is taken into account. This interval is necessary for the bathhouse attendant to wave his hand with a broom without hindrance.
- Since it is preferable to undergo procedures while lying down, the beds must be at least 2.2 m in length and 0.6 m in width.
In a traditional bathhouse, one- or two-tier shelves are installed.
Standard two-tier shelves
Specifics of the Finnish steam room
Externally, the domestic and Finnish doubles are similar. However, different temperature conditions and humidity levels caused a number of differences.
Features of sauna arrangement:
- Material. For the interior decoration of the bathhouse, exclusively natural wood is used. Artificial raw materials do not have such a successful combination of positive properties. When building a sauna, in addition to wood, other materials are used to improve the quality of sanitary cleaning and improve hydro- and thermal insulation.
- Size. Due to the fact that the air in a Finnish steam room must warm up quickly, the sauna is slightly smaller than the bathhouse. In order to optimize the organization of space, shelves are installed around the entire perimeter of the room. Exceptions are walls with a heater and a door.
- Seating arrangement. Since clients in European steam rooms prefer to sit, the distance between the wooden lounger and the ceiling should be greater. The width of the benches is not important.
The small dimensions of the sauna mean that no more than 3 people can be in it at the same time.
The backs of the seats in the sauna are covered with boards
Scheme
It's time to get down to specifics. So, what exactly does any shelf consist of? There are two main structural elements in it: the frame and the flooring.
Above it was said about the fundamental difference between the width of the shelves and the number of tiers for the Russian and Finnish steam baths, so we will give diagrams of the regiments in the bathhouse for each case. Since the only difference is in the frame, we will describe the flooring separately - it is the same for both types.
An important point about any frame: among experienced bathhouse attendants there is still debate about whether the frame can be attached directly to the wall or must it be free-standing?
The main argument of those who are in favor of a free-standing frame is that when mounted on a wall, the joint soon begins to rot.
However, we know of a compromise option in which the mounting on the wall is done with a gap - you install bushings, for example, ceramic ones, which are used for the same separation of thermal insulation slabs from the wall.
Frame in a Finnish sauna
The frame of the regiments in the Finnish bathhouse looks something like this:
As you can see, in this case it is proposed to start from the specific height of the ceiling in the steam room, because the countdown is carried out precisely from it. At the same time, it is precisely this height that suggests a very common mixed form - this is when both steam is generated and the temperature is high, as in a dry-air bath.
CAREFULLY! The combination of high temperature and humidity is difficult for the human cardiovascular system!
In general, the layout of shelves in a bathhouse can be easily distinguished precisely by their height and width. The height of the step, if it is intended for sitting, will be about 45 cm. And for the approach of the steamer, 70-90 cm are needed. Therefore, either one of the steps will be narrow/folding/portable, or this is a sauna option, not intended for one person was lying, and the other was floating.
Another characteristic feature of a sauna shelf in a bathhouse is that the frame is covered in height with clapboard. This is done because the Finns do not need to leave space for the soaring person to freely position his legs - his feet with their toes go slightly inside, under the shelves, while achieving the very correct vertical position of the soaring body.
BY THE WAY! It is a common belief that if you cover the height of the shelves with clapboard, this will significantly reduce the volume of the steam room that the stove heats (and accordingly, increase its power). There is truth in this, but only in the case of hermetically sealing the space under the shelves. And this is bad - how to ventilate? And if you ventilate, then there will be no “volume reduction”.
Frame
Here there is one interesting point: two-tier Russian shelves can look like three-tier ones! This is due to the deceptive footstool that is placed near the high shelf. This bench can be mobile or stationary. But it’s still better to have a mobile one.
An ordinary two-tier shelf consists of an upper shelf, intended for hovering, and a lower one, on which the hovering person stands with his feet. At other times, the lower one can be used as a seat.
Below we present several more options for shelves in the bathhouse, showing their possible location (having one stationary shelf and two sliding ones, or all three sliding ones, we get the following options):
Flooring
Let's talk briefly about flooring. Despite the fact that the most common option is a processed strip laid along or across the long side of the seat with a smoothed edge and a gap of 1 to 5 cm between the elements, you can find options without gaps at all or made from boards with irregular geometry (unedged sanded board or croaker).
A log shelf looks exotic, but how long will it take to dry?
ADVICE! Whatever guides you when choosing a flooring design, take into account the fact that you need to dry it after each procedure. And the gaps are made not for the sake of beauty, but for the sake of ventilation and speeding up the drying process.
Railing
A useful, although not obligatory, element for regiments. In general, the railings in the steam room are used in two cases: as a fence for the stove - so that visitors do not accidentally approach it at a dangerous distance and touch it. This applies to steam rooms with metal stoves without brick or stone lining.
The second use of railings is to equip shelves. They create additional convenience for steamers when ascending and descending, and also make staying on the top shelf safer. And also, if they are placed parallel to the shelf, then while sitting on the shelf you can put your feet on them, this adds convenience and your feet receive more warm air and steam.
Such railings look something like this:
Shapes and design
In a bathhouse, dimensions play an important role, especially in a steam room, where everything should be not only safe, but also comfortable. At the same time, even such a simple, uncomplicated structure should be aesthetically attractive.
Indeed, for a steam room, a lot depends on the size. A small steam room for 3-4 people can have 3 shelves, but functionality will suffer. But 2 stages will ensure not only a normal stay in the steam room, but also functionality - there is enough space here to just sit on a bench and to steam with a broom.
You can assemble bathhouses of almost any shape with your own hands. True, not all of the options will be functional and attractive from a design point of view.
The simplest type of shelf is stepped shelves. They are located along the wall opposite the stove. The lower tier has only the upper flooring, its purpose is a support step, a place for a tub with brooms, and ladders. The second step is wider and usually rests against the wall. The side plane is also sewn into it; it serves as a backrest for the first, lower step. The first tier is located at the level of the boiler firebox, the temperature at this level is several degrees lower, but on the top shelf it is hotter, and this is where all the procedures basically take place.
Corner shelves are placed opposite the heater, while the heater itself usually occupies a separate corner. Corner shelves are located at the same height, thus creating additional space. This is the best option for small and medium-sized steam rooms.
Shelves arranged in the form of compartment shelves. This option is not very functional, although it deserves attention, especially for small double rooms.
The dimensions of the shelves may be different, but this does not prevent them from being attractive. Here you can use boards of different colors, make an unusual shape, for example, with rounded edges, or of different widths. Exoticism is also added by non-standardly chosen side, bottom or zoned lighting.
But what you shouldn’t do is decorate the bed with carvings or other decorative frills; in a steam room, such decoration will constantly require attention and will not allow you to relax properly.
Questions and answers
How thick should the shelf boards be?
There are no standards in this matter. You can choose any boards that seem suitable. The only condition is their quality and the absence of resin. Most users prefer boards with a thickness of 30-35 mm, but this is not a strict requirement.
Should the boards for the shelf be dried, or can raw material be used?
The boards must be dried. Otherwise, they may begin to rot, become cracked, or become screwed up. In addition, raw boards are extremely difficult to treat with oil.
Is it possible to combine a stationary shelf on top with attached mobile benches on the lower level?
Yes, this option is quite possible. It even offers some benefits - you can move the benches to the side for cleaning or clear out the area under the top shelf.
Is it possible to use nails instead of screws when assembling shelves?
Yes, you can. You just need to recess their caps deeper and plug the holes with wooden plugs. It is recommended to choose rough or screw nails that will not come out over time and will hold the structure no worse than screws.
Do I need to sand the shelves, or is it enough to just sand the boards on a planer?
It all depends on the quality of processing, the type of wood and its quality. If the surface after sharpening is completely smooth, free of burrs or lint, no additional procedures are necessary. But, if the boards are rough, with defects and raised pile, you will have to further process them and clean all problem areas.
Assembling the shelf is a very simple procedure. However, the number of questions that inexperienced users have is quite large. The most common of them can be answered in advance to relieve some of the worries and avoid mistakes.
