A sauna in an apartment is a phenomenon that is not very common in Russia, but in Finland and other northern countries it is found everywhere. Of course, to arrange this at home, you will have to make an effort: understand what requirements the law imposes on saunas, obtain official permission, spend time and money.
However, the result is worth it: you can truly relax in the sauna, and an adequate approach to the matter will ensure strong immunity, heart health and good skin condition.
Electric stove - sauna heater
To heat a mini sauna, the easiest way is to install an electric heater.
The power of the stove depends on the size of the sauna. The power of the electric furnace is selected at the rate of 1-1.5 kW
.
per 1 m2
of sauna area.
For a mini sauna measuring 2x2 m
.
An electric heater with a power of 4-6 kW
. Such a stove can be connected without any problems to the panel at the input of a regular single-phase electrical network of an apartment or house.
The higher the power of the stove, the faster the sauna will heat up. The power of the stove is considered sufficient if the air in the sauna heats up to a temperature of 80 ° C in 20-30 minutes.
An electric sauna stove is usually equipped with a thermostat, which automatically maintains the set temperature in the sauna.
The sauna stove is placed on the floor or on the wall, always near the door
. This arrangement of the oven ensures that the cold air entering through the door is captured by the flow of hot air from the oven, quickly mixed and warmed up. It is convenient to clean the sauna if the stove is mounted on the wall, at a small height from the floor.
It is recommended that the level of the stones in the stove be at the level of the feet of the person sitting on the top shelf. To place the stove at the required height, sometimes it is necessary to build a pit in the floor.
Some furnace designs require guards to be installed around them to protect people from accidentally touching hot parts. It is also necessary to comply with the requirements of the factory fire safety instructions.
The sauna heater stove has a compartment where stones are loaded. The heated stones are watered with water, which turns into steam, increasing the humidity in the sauna.
For laying in the oven, stones with a fraction of 40-80 mm are used. certain minerals, for example, diabase, jadeite, soapstone, etc. Using random stones is dangerous.
Hot stones can crack and fly apart when watered on them. There should not be too many stones, because then the inertia of the furnace increases and, as a result, energy consumption increases.
Experts have calculated that a medium-sized home sauna (200x160 cm
) for one session of bath procedures,
kW*hour
of electricity
for heating . Moreover, most of this energy remains in the house, heating it. For comparison, it takes 1.5 kWh
kWh
to bathe in the bathroom . Most of the energy spent on heating water flows along with the water into the sewer.
For example, one of the domestic manufacturers produces wall-mounted electric heaters under the SteamSib brand. The electric heater is designed to heat and maintain a set temperature in a steam room and generate steam from the stones.
The wall-mounted electric heater “SteamSib” is commercially available in three modifications: with a power of 3.4 kW, 4.4 kW, and 5.4 kW. Dimensions of the electric heater (HxWxD) 506x446x290 mm.
Heating is controlled using a remote control panel. The control panel consists of a control unit and a temperature sensor. The control unit is mounted outside the steam room and connected to the electric heater and temperature sensor mounted inside. The control unit sets the heating level of the steam room and the operating time of the electric heater, and also turns the electric heater on and off.
Electrical wiring and ventilation system
The safety of operating an apartment sauna depends on the reliability of the electrical wiring.
The main heating equipment is an electric heater with a power of up to 3.5 kW. To connect it to the electrical network, it is necessary to install a waterproof socket, and run the current-carrying cable through the floor surface, placing it in a protective box.
The cable inside the cabin is placed in a thermostatic frame that can withstand high heating temperatures.
For an electric stove, it is also worth providing a special insulating base, located at a safe distance from the bathtub or sink.
The next important stage in organizing a home sauna is arranging a reliable ventilation system. In multi-storey buildings there is a standard ventilation shaft with apartment-by-apartment ducts. It would be a good idea to provide additional holes in the cabin design for mounting fans that are resistant to elevated temperatures.
Making a steam sauna with your own hands
To build a sauna in the bathroom, you will need 1.5-2 m² of free corner space, wooden beams and lining, an electric stove or IR heater, an electric cable, and fastening material.
First of all, even before assembling the frame, it is necessary to draw a separate line of electrical communications, or rather, two lines: one is intended to power the stove, the second is for the lighting device. It is better to place all wires on the outside of the structure, in a specially insulated sleeve.
Make sure that the wires are new, straight, without twists or kinks - this is the key to safety. The power of the IR heater is 1.5-2 kW, electric furnaces – from 3 kW.
The cost of electric stoves for home saunas directly depends on the power. For example, models with a power of 6-9 kW can be purchased for 9-10 thousand rubles - for use on an area of 1.5-2 m² this is quite enough
Bright lighting is not required, as rest and relaxation involve calm, soft light. For a small area, one built-in lamp of 40-60 watts is suitable.
In addition, take care of ventilation in advance. It is recommended to embed the hood into the wall opposite the one next to which the stove is located.
A hole in the ceiling on the opposite side will also work.
The first thing you need to build is a strong frame, which forms the basis of the entire structure. Externally, the frame resembles a corner cabinet in both shape and size
You will need thick support beams measuring 50 x 50 mm, some of which are installed vertically, others horizontally (for tying and fixing). Adjacent supports are connected by 3-4 transverse parts.
For the ceiling perimeter, boards are used instead of beams. The door frame is also assembled from beams, leaving space for lining in the upper part. To finish the floor, either hardwood or ceramics are used (as in the entire room).
The next stage is the thermal insulation of the cabin. One of the practical and inexpensive options is rolls or mats of universal mineral wool for interior work, at least 50 mm thick
Polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene are not used as insulation for a home sauna, since heating may release volatile components that are harmful to health.
To ensure better thermal insulation, aluminum foil is attached to the top of the mineral wool layer. Thin sheets of foil are attached to the beams using a construction stapler
The walls and ceiling, lined with insulation, are covered with lathing made of thin beams 20x40 mm. The lathing will serve as the basis for finishing with clapboard.
Coniferous trees are not suitable for a sauna, so it is better to use aspen or linden, which also does not heat up too much and is ideal for constructing benches
After lining the outer and inner parts, you can begin to equip the door.
The perimeter of the door is made of the same material as the walls; the central part can be decorated with impact-resistant glass - transparent, frosted or with a sandblasted pattern
Upon completion of the construction work, they proceed to the manufacture of benches, which are placed along one wall like a ladder. For a small cabin, two benches are enough.
Linden is recognized as the best material for benches - it has a fresh light yellow tint, is easy to process, and does not heat up much at elevated air temperatures.
Pay attention to the location of the fasteners - all self-tapping screws and bolts must be attached from the bottom, since the metal can cause burns when heated. The height of fixation of shelves or benches is chosen based on the size of the booth and your own convenience, however, the top shelf is usually mounted at a height of 1 m 10 cm
The height of fixation of shelves or benches is chosen based on the size of the booth and your own convenience, however, the top shelf is usually mounted at a height of 1 m 10 cm
For safety reasons, the electric oven is fenced with a wooden grill.
As you can see, a small sauna in the form of a cabin takes up very little space and perfectly complements the interior of a bathroom in a city apartment
If you still don’t have a compact and convenient sauna at home, it’s time to think about purchasing one, and if you have enough skills and experience, then about building it yourself.
Types and characteristics of sauna stoves
A fully functional sauna structure and equipment is impossible without installing a high-quality stove. As a rule, solid fuel stoves are used in saunas, mainly wood, gas and electric. True, gas devices have hardly been used lately, so we will not dwell on them in detail.
The advantages of wood stoves are:
- high speed of temperature rise;
- lower cost of fuel for operation;
- independence from external energy sources;
- the ability to heat up stones faster in heater stoves, which affects the microclimate inside the sauna - dryer, soft steam is obtained.
We also note a number of disadvantages of wood-burning stoves:
- Wood stoves themselves give off heat much worse than electric ones;
- due to the presence of an open flame, the risk of fire is increased, so the safety standards of such devices must be observed;
- A prerequisite for installing a wood-burning stove is the presence of a chimney, the construction costs of which may exceed those of the stove itself. If there is no chimney, use electrical installations.
If we are talking about an apartment or a private country house, then for a sauna you need to buy exclusively electric stoves, since they are easier to operate and safer. Control is simplified due to built-in electronics, which allows you to set a certain temperature, humidity and not worry that the oven will overheat.
When calculating the power of the electrical network, it should be taken into account that for every 1 m3, about 1 kW of energy will be required. So, to power a sauna with a volume of 10-12 m3, you will need a power of 9 kW and a three-phase network. If it is not possible to provide a sauna with energy reserves in the apartment, it is better to opt for either infrared cabins or solid fuel stoves.
Selection of oven
The apartment does not use a wood or coal stove, this is due to fire safety measures. You can also install an electric one, since in this case it will be a little easier to make a bathhouse in an apartment: you don’t need to build a chimney and you don’t need to stock up on fuel. In addition, it will quickly warm up the room.
You should buy a stove not just to heat the house, but one that is intended for a bath, that is, for rooms with high humidity. The spiral in such furnaces must have a special coating. The power of the electric furnace should be enough to heat a steam room measuring 6x2, the voltage will be 220 V. A frame is made of bars for the furnace, it is necessary to eliminate the possibility of getting burned on it.
You can also organize an infrared sauna in your apartment with your own hands. In this case, the heaters do not heat the air, and the heat rays act directly on the person. How to install them correctly is indicated in the instructions. It is important to provide an air gap in the walls of the sauna for ventilation.
Dimensions and design of a mini sauna
A sauna in the bathroom allows you to take bath and water procedures without much preparation, at any time and without leaving your home.
There are ready-made saunas on sale - cabins that are simply installed in the bathroom. Cabin sizes may vary. In the smallest single or double cabins you can only sit on a bench. It is more comfortable to take bath procedures in cabins measuring 2x1.6 m.
and 2x2
m
.
In such booths you can lie down not alone, but together. The height of the sauna cabin inside should be about 2 m.
Inside the cabin there is an electric sauna heater, as well as wooden benches and shelves in two or three levels. The walls and ceiling of the cabin are a three-layer sandwich, which consists of internal wooden panels, mineral wool insulation and external cladding.
Mini sauna in a new house
In a new house, it is convenient to place a mini sauna in a separate room on the floor, in the basement or in the attic
Anyone who wants to have their own sauna - comfortable, spacious and, above all, functional, should think about it already when ordering a house project or when purchasing a finished project.
In a new house, a spacious bathroom is usually provided to accommodate a mini sauna. More comfortable conditions for taking procedures can be created if the sauna is placed in a special fitness room. Exercise equipment or recreational furniture are often installed in the same room. It would be good if this room has access to the garden, terrace or balcony.
To install a mini sauna in a new house, you can provide a separate room in the basement or attic.
Mini sauna in an existing house or apartment
In an existing bathroom, instead of a bathtub, you can install two cabins - a shower and a sauna. Another option for replacing a bathtub in a city apartment with a ready-made cabin is a shower and a sauna together, the size in plan is 200x130 cm.
In an existing house, a sauna can be installed in a large bathroom or, for example, placed in the basement, or one of the rooms can be equipped for this purpose.
The interior panels of the cabin are made from certain types of wood. For example, coniferous wood of northern spruce, fir or cedar releases aromatic substances when heated. But the aroma should be light, there should not be too much of it. Therefore, pine wood, which contains a lot of resins, is not recommended. Panels made of aspen or linden create a more neutral atmosphere in the sauna.
Finished booths are sold disassembled. The booth must be assembled at the installation site. A gap of 20-50 mm is left between the stall and the bathroom wall. for ventilation.
Rating of TOP 7 portable saunas
- Portable steam sauna Belberg BS-6061 – 10,000 rub.
- Portable infrared sauna Titan TW-PS04 – 27,850 rub.
- Portable steam sauna Titan TW-PS02 – RUB 11,350.
- Mini Bath Artel-Service MB 1 red – 12,500 rub.
- Mini Bathhouse Artel-Service MB-1 green – 12,500 rub.
- Portable steam sauna Titan TW-PS03 – RUB 14,300.
- Mini Bath Artel-Service MB 1 blue – 12,500 rub.
Considering that mini-saunas for weight loss are made of soft but durable materials, they are easy to move from place to place. They fold up and can be easily transported in the trunk of a car. You can even take such a bathhouse on a hike!
How to make a small sauna with your own hands
A sauna measuring 200x160 cm can be placed in a bathroom with an area of 9 m2
It’s cheaper to make a small sauna in the bathroom with your own hands, building it into the room.
The walls and ceiling of the bathroom at the location of the sauna are insulated from the inside with mineral wool on a wall frame. It is more convenient to attach the wooden cladding of the sauna to the wooden crate.
Read: Insulating walls from the inside with mineral wool.
The walls separating the sauna from the rest of the bathroom are assembled on a frame, similar to how they are done when constructing frame partitions. Thermal insulation is also placed in the walls of the cabin.
Read: DIY frame partition.
In order for the sauna to quickly warm up and consume less energy on heating, all heat-intensive surfaces inside the cabin - walls, ceilings made of bricks, blocks, concrete, as well as logs and beams - must be protected with thermal insulation. The thickness of mineral wool thermal insulation is usually 50 mm or 100 mm. for insulating an external wall. For the same purposes, the height inside the sauna should not be more than 2 m
.
For thermal insulation, it is better to use slabs rather than rolled material. Mineral wool boards are denser and less prone to slipping on vertical surfaces.
For a sauna measuring 200x200 cm, a bathroom with an area of 12 m2 is better suited
The insulation from the inside of the sauna is covered with a heat-resistant (with operating temperature above 110 ° C) vapor-proof film laminated with aluminum foil. The film prevents moisture from the insulation and also protects the interior of the sauna from mineral wool dust and other harmful emissions from the insulation. The film is laid on top of the thermal insulation, with aluminum inside the cabin. The joints and places where the film is nailed to the frame are sealed by gluing with aluminum tape - adhesive tape.
On the construction market you can find insulation slabs made of stone wool specifically designed for baths - saunas. Such plates are already covered with aluminum foil on one side. During installation, all seams between the plates and joints are taped with aluminum tape.
In any case, you should choose mineral wool insulation boards that use materials that are harmless to humans as a binder. For example, slabs for facade insulation are usually made using various types of formaldehyde resins as a binder. Such stoves constantly emit the deadly gas formaldehyde. The intensity of gas evolution increases when the material is heated.
Read: Formaldehyde in the house is a source of OSB boards (USB), mineral wool...
The thickness of the wooden cladding inside the sauna (lining, block house) must be at least 12 mm. What type of wood to use for the cladding is written above.
To ensure that the cladding does not darken over time and its appearance remains always attractive, the wood is coated with a liquid heat-resistant compound specifically designed for this purpose. For example, oil based on natural wax “Supi Saunavaha” from Tikkurila.
Wooden elements that are located in areas of lower temperatures, for example, floor gratings, door thresholds, can be protected with ordinary varnish.
The outside of the sauna frame is sheathed with wood, plasterboard or other board material, and lined with ceramic tiles or plastic panels.
Sauna with shower
Combined saunas combine two functional devices - a shower and a bath. They can be presented in two variations.
Sauna with shower
Cabin with steam room option. Devices that look almost no different from ordinary shower stalls: tray, walls, doors, lid. The main feature is that they have a steam generator, which performs the function of a sauna: it evaporates water and brings the steam to a temperature of 50˚C.
Advice. Steam generators are capricious devices that are very sensitive to water quality: if the water is too hard, the steam generator nozzles will quickly become overgrown with salt. That is why it is recommended to use special filters to extend the life of the device.
Combined shower and sauna. In this case, a small but absolutely full-fledged sauna is attached to the cabin. The steam room compartment is usually made of natural wood with low thermal conductivity. This sauna can use both traditional electric heaters and infrared elements.
Features of using saunas and baths in an apartment
Apartment saunas and baths are made in different sizes, but before starting the arrangement you will have to create a project and coordinate it with several authorities. The next step will be the choice of finishing materials and heating method. The most important thing is to ensure sufficient, but not excessive ventilation, waterproofing and proper water supply, if the design provides for this.
If you decide to install a sauna in your apartment, be patient - it will take a lot of time to coordinate the project and obtain permission
Persons with cancer, serious cardiovascular or skin diseases are not recommended to visit the sauna. The same applies to small children and elderly people.
A visit to a home sauna can quickly relieve stress and physical tension, as well as improve overall well-being.
Style and design
The style and design of the steam room, of course, needs to be thought through to the smallest detail. First you need to consider the layout of the room. Typically, a classic version of a steam room is used, consisting of three rooms - a dressing room or locker room, a washing room or shower room, and the steam room itself. Traditional Russian baths usually include two rooms, since the steam room and shower are usually combined. Therefore, when choosing a steam room in the Russian style, you need to take this fact into account. If desired and if you have the money, you can add a number of optional rooms to the sauna. For example, it is possible to equip a font or swimming pool, a game room - a billiard room or similar rooms; you can also add a kitchen, a relaxation area, a restroom or a smoking room.
At the same time, the style of the sauna can also be different. For example, the Russian style, which was already mentioned earlier. He is distinguished by restraint and conciseness in details. As a rule, this is a massive table, many benches and beds, birch brooms, wooden barrels and ladles. Such an interior can be made modern with the help of a billiard table or, for example, a TV.
The antique style is also popular for decorating a steam room. It is often accompanied by forged elements, wooden utensils and other similar items. Also characteristic of this style is the presence of intricate carvings on wooden elements. In addition, you can hang oak or birch brooms on the wall. They can also be represented by fragrant grass. All this can be used in practice and steamed, or saved as decorative elements.
Sauna structure
As a rule, setting up a sauna does not require very large premises, unlike a Russian bath. If the sauna is designed for 3-4 people, it can occupy an area of 3.3 m2. For a number of visitors of 5-6 people, 4.5 m2 of space is enough. In terms of dimensions, such a sauna will have 2.1 m in height, 2 m in width and 2.4 m in length, and two tiers of shelves are installed along the wall. If desired, you can even equip a very small single-person sauna, the dimensions of which will be 2.1 m in height and 0.8 m2 in area.
Note that when building a sauna bath in a country house, it is very important to adhere to the height parameters of 210 cm in order to build in a standard 190 cm door, and the length of the wall opposite the entrance to 200 cm. This will create the necessary circulation of air flows in the steam room, as well as create optimal temperature and humidity on the top shelf. When using a sauna, it must maintain the optimal temperature and humidity ratio
The air should not move due to strong changes, otherwise a person may receive thermal burns. This happens because in the sauna the skin is heated to the maximum permissible 45-50 ºС, and any movement of hot air leads to the fact that sweat does not have time to cool the skin. Therefore, in order to prevent hot drafts, ceilings should not exceed 210 cm in height.
When using a sauna, it must maintain an optimal temperature and humidity ratio. The air should not move due to strong changes, otherwise a person may receive thermal burns. This happens because in the sauna the skin is heated to the maximum permissible 45-50 ºС, and any movement of hot air leads to the fact that sweat does not have time to cool the skin. Therefore, in order to prevent hot drafts, ceilings should not exceed 210 cm in height.
The presence of a window in the sauna steam room is not at all necessary if it is located in an apartment or house. But in some buildings it is better to provide a window with double glazing.
As a rule, there is no need to connect the water supply directly to the steam room, since the shower is installed in a separate room, where a font can also be installed with your own hands. To clean the steam room, a simple rinse with water pressure from an extended hose is sufficient. At the same time, it is imperative to provide a drainage system so that excess water can be disposed of.
Peculiarities
Visiting the sauna has a beneficial effect on the entire body. Now it has become possible to visit the steam room without leaving home.
You can equip a sauna right in your apartment, if, of course, the free space allows this.
The installation of such structures in the residential premises of an apartment building is not prohibited by any regulations and is completely legal. However, the installation of a sauna must be coordinated with a number of government agencies.
In large rooms you can equip a sauna with a total capacity of two people. In small rooms it is possible to install only small-sized structures for one person.
A steam room in a residential area, no matter what its dimensions, is a sealed glazed installation resembling a cabin in shape. Seating must be provided in the sauna. If the structure is large, then shelves are installed in it.
The installation operates on electricity. The air temperature can be adjusted by raising it to the desired degree and stopping heating.
The benefits of taking water treatments in a home cabin are no less than the benefits of visiting a regular sauna.
DIY sauna installation in the bathroom
The installation work begins with a sketch on paper in the form of a drawing indicating the dimensions and location of each part. This will help you decide on the style and calculate the required amount of materials.
Adviсe:
- Shelves. Basically they are arranged in 2 tiers in height. The distance from the floor to the first shelf is 40 cm, from the top shelf to the ceiling is 1.2 m. The width of the shelves is from 30 to 55 cm. The length of the shelves for a lying position is about 2 m. For the convenience of performing procedures in a sitting position, backrests are installed along the shelves.
- Electric oven. The heating device is placed in the corner along the same wall as the door. Some models require the installation of a protective fence to prevent accidental contact with a hot surface. The electric heater control unit is mounted outside the cabin.
- Lighting. Sealed and waterproof incandescent lamps are installed in the cabin. They are located under the ceiling in the two upper corners of the cabin. Protective wooden grilles are installed on top of the lamps.
- Ventilation. The hole for air flow is made closer to the floor on the wall of the cabin next to the stove. The average hole area is 125 cm2. The exhaust hole is located at a distance from the supply air and the door. The optimal size is 250 cm2.
A sauna in the bathroom does not require flooring.
The cabin is placed on finished floors, which already include moisture insulation. But for greater comfort and a unified style, you can make wooden removable gratings (ladders).
The interior trim of the cabin is made of moisture-resistant wood: larch, alder, linden, aspen
Before work, you need to prepare the necessary materials and tools.
Materials and fasteners:
- antiseptic for concrete;
- wooden beams 50X50;
- lining;
- boards for shelves and benches;
- slabs of basalt-based mineral wool (thickness 7-10 cm);
- aluminium foil;
- construction tape;
- screws, anchors, dowels, nails for lining.
Tools:
- electric drill;
- jigsaw;
- hacksaw;
- construction stapler;
- tape measure, corner, pencil, building level;
- hammer, hatchet.
Frame assembly, wall processing and insulation
Before starting work, prepare a concrete or brick base for the walls and ceiling. They are cleaned of debris, treated with a disinfectant and thoroughly dried.
The cabin is installed on a concrete base
A wooden frame made of timber (50X50) is attached to the walls and ceiling with anchors. The vertical pitch of the ribs is 500-600 mm. All frame elements are leveled.
Insulation is installed in the cells between the ribs, fixing it with tile adhesive or dowels. Foil is sewn on top of the insulation using a construction stapler, with the mirror side facing the cabin. The joints are taped with construction tape.
At this stage, electrical wiring is made, which is located under the casing. It is better to invite a specialist for this work.
Cladding
After covering with foil, horizontal bars (3x4 cm) are attached to the vertical posts in increments of about 40 cm. All bars are aligned to the building level. Before the final clapboard covering, ventilation ducts are installed.
Any lining has a similar design: a groove (recess) on one side, a tenon (protrusion) on the other. During sheathing, the tenons of one part are threaded into the grooves of another and compacted with a hammer. The board itself is attached to the sheathing beams using nails.
To visually expand the space and make it easier to replace boards in the future, a horizontal arrangement of the lining is recommended.
Equipment installation
After assembling the frame and covering it with clapboard, they begin to install the door, shelves and equipment. Doors can be hinged or sliding, glass or wooden. The main condition is tightness. To ensure a secure fit to the wooden door structure, the edge of the jamb is made in three steps.
The electric oven is easy to install; the product kit includes fasteners and instructions. The protective fence should be located at a distance of 5 cm and rise above the heating element by no more than 5 cm. It is also advisable to cover the wall behind the stove with heat-resistant material: tiles, bricks.
Silicone tape is used to seal the glass door.
Benches and shelves are installed according to the drawing and the selected scheme. Any option involves fastening to support bars, which are fixed to the sheathing elements. This point must be taken into account when assembling the frame.
Which sauna or bathhouse is better to choose for an apartment?
At home, the design of the steam room is selected based on the available area and the possibility of connecting communications. Electric and infrared saunas are the most convenient, since they do not require fuel in the form of firewood or other similar material. The frame itself can be built into any niche or assembled separately. The second option is preferable, since if you move, it’s easy to take the “bathhouse” with you to your new place of residence.
The simplest option for a home sauna is a shower cabin equipped with a steam generator.
To decide which sauna to place and where, they make a detailed drawing with dimensions and several location options.
It is better to place the sauna next to the bathroom, where there are already utilities
Types of steam rooms
There are several steam rooms that differ in their healing effect, operating principle, and internal design. Before choosing the type of steam room, you need to study the features of each type.
Infrared
Infrared steam rooms are cabins of different sizes with glass doors trimmed with wood. An IR radiation generator is located inside. Waves warm up the body better than steam.
Infrared steam rooms are safe for the body, since if you choose the right mode, it is impossible to overheat in them. Radiation is not harmful to health.
It is prohibited to use cosmetics in the booth, as they may cause burns on the skin.
Japanese
Ofuro baths are very different from Russian steam rooms and Finnish saunas:
- Visiting a Japanese steam room is a complex process consisting of several sequential procedures.
- Inside there are large barrels with warm water in which visitors warm themselves.
- Warming up should be combined with massage, covering the body with warm sawdust.
Before visiting a Japanese bath, you must undergo a medical examination.
Finnish
The sauna has dry air, minimal humidity, and high temperature. To make a Finnish steam room in an apartment, you need to prepare a large room.
Arranging a sauna with a shower in an apartment is accompanied by difficulties in connecting communications.
Turkish
Most people like hammams due to their mild microclimate. They are characterized by low temperature and high humidity. Steam constantly enters through special channels in the walls. Requirements for arranging a hammam:
- ceilings from three meters high;
- forced ventilation system;
- high-quality vapor barrier.
Hamams are suitable for cosmetic procedures.
Russian
Classic Russian steam rooms are preferred by most bath attendants. They are characterized by low temperature, high humidity, and abundant steam. It is impossible to make a real Russian steam room in an apartment, since it requires a stove that runs on solid fuel.
Electric
A popular option for steam rooms for apartments. They are fireproof because they do not require the use of solid fuel.
The room is heated using an electric stove, which increases energy costs.
Mini
For bathing procedures, a phyto-barrel is used - a container with benches installed inside. In terms of effect and design, the design is similar to ofuro. Before use, the barrel is connected to a regular outlet and filled with water.
Advantages and disadvantages
Home saunas are becoming increasingly popular due to a number of significant advantages.
Let's consider the main advantages of such structures:
- For sauna lovers, installing a similar design in an apartment will save time and money on visiting public steam rooms.
- Most models of heating equipment for home steam rooms have a remote control. Using the remote control, you can regulate the heating speed and temperature in the steam room.
- An infrared steam room does not require large amounts of electrical energy to operate.
- Regular visits to the steam room have a beneficial effect on the body. The only exceptions are those cases when, for health reasons, a person is contraindicated from visiting the sauna.
Home saunas also have certain disadvantages. Let us highlight the disadvantages of such structures:
- Good quality models are quite expensive, and making a sauna yourself is not always possible.
- Not all apartments can accommodate a steam room. The decisive factor in this case is the area of the room.
- Not all people can visit the sauna. Serious diseases associated with the cardiovascular system or oncology are grounds for complete refusal of water procedures in the steam room.
