Shower cabin with Turkish bath, hammam, sauna, hydromassage, bath

Visiting a bathhouse is an activity that almost everyone loves. In the bathhouse you can cleanse your body, improve your well-being and relax after a hard day. For those who live in the private sector it is easier, they can build a bathhouse and take a steam bath at any time. Residents of apartments were deprived of this opportunity for a long time. Of course, there are bathhouses in all cities, but in many of them you need to register in advance, you still need to get there, and then get to your home.

But now apartment residents also have the opportunity to visit the bathhouse at any time; it is enough to install a special shower cabin with a Turkish bath in the house.

Shower cabin with bath: options

There are many types of shower devices.

Shower cabin hammam. These are specialized baths where the room humidity reaches 100% at low temperatures. As a rule, this value does not exceed 50 degrees.
With a Turkish bath. Standard steam room with high humidity. The maximum available heating is up to 45 degrees.
With sauna. It has a higher temperature range than its analogues. The temperature range ranges from 60 to 90 degrees. The most popular option on the market is a wooden shower cubicle with a Turkish sauna.
With hydromassage. The standard version of the shower cabin, which every third user has. The hydromassage function is designed to change the flow of water under the required pressure and volume.
With a bathroom. Complex equipment that increases user comfort, but at the same time complicates the assembly process. There are quite a few options on the market.

As can be seen from the list, there is a fairly large assortment of types of cabins. The cheapest pleasure is considered to be the presence of hydromassage, and the most expensive options are showers with a sauna and Turkish bath.

Shower cabin with hammam

Hammam is a common type of bathhouse, which is characterized by high air humidity at low temperatures.

Advantages of a shower cabin with hammam:

high availability on the plumbing market;
high-quality operation of the device at low temperatures;
convenience of taking water procedures.

Minuses:

high cost of the steam generator;
difficulties in setting up the hammam;
slow heating;
high cost of maintenance.

The hammam is perfect for paying clients, since the price for a steam generator starts from 45,000 rubles.

Finnish sauna

Unlike the hammam, the Finnish sauna has a number of its own features:

reduced air humidity;
higher temperatures;
increased water consumption;
high pressure in the pipeline.

Advantages of a shower cabin with a Finnish sauna:

many options with changing temperature conditions;
easy to maintain;
high availability of the product at reasonable prices.

Flaws:

high load on the steam generator and pipeline;
needs regular checking;
high energy costs;
high probability of having defective booths.

The Finnish sauna is good because it does not require additional costs for its maintenance. They also use a fairly cheap steam generator, which costs about 25-35 thousand rubles.

Infrared cabin

Infrared sauna equipment is one of the more expensive options on the market. As a rule, such a booth is made exclusively to order.

Advantages of an infrared cabin:

multifunctionality with support for various temperature conditions;
the ability to fully customize humidity and other parameters for the user;
high-quality assembly.

Minuses:

high cost of a shower cabin;
small assortment;
created only to order;
high maintenance costs.

Since this option is considered the most expensive, it is not suitable for everyone. However, the benefits of infrared medical treatments are high for people with blood pressure problems.

Types of booths and differences between them

There are many different models of shower cabins with a sauna, and all of them can be divided into two main types:

"2 in 1". These are cabins in which a steam generator is installed. All functions are built into one housing.
Combined. The cabin consists of two parts - a shower and a sauna. They are separated by a partition.

These booths differ according to the principle of operation and type of equipment. In models of the first type, steam generators are most often installed, and in combined models, electric or infrared heaters are installed.

The sauna in such a cabin is a complete separate structure. It is combined with a shower solely for the convenience of hygiene procedures, and its operation is autonomous

The design of a cabin with a “2 in 1” sauna is almost no different from a regular one, except for the steam generator. Otherwise, everything is the same: standard tray, doors, roof, control panel. The equipment works like this: it evaporates moisture and cools the resulting steam to 50 degrees.

When connecting the device to the water supply network, care should be taken to filter the water. If it is hard, then during operation of the steam generator a limescale deposit will remain, which will quickly clog the nozzles. This will lead to failure and premature replacement of the steam generator.

When installing and connecting the cabin, pay attention to the pressure in the water pipes. If it is less than 3-3.5 bar, the system will malfunction

In houses where there are problems with water pressure in the water supply, additional pumps are installed

A shower cabin combined with a sauna is two separate rooms that are simply combined in one building. It turns out that the steam room is a kind of “extension” to a traditional plumbing fixture. Such equipment has its own characteristics.

Saunas in combined cabins are often finished with natural wood inside and out. This gives it an “authentic” appearance and makes hygiene procedures even more useful and enjoyable.

For cladding sauna cabins, pine, fir, spruce, cedar, and oak are most often used. These species have low thermal conductivity, which means you don’t have to worry about getting burned by touching the wood.

The area intended for washing is no different from a standard shower stall. It is also equipped and performs all the same functions.

The sauna has a control panel that controls temperature and humidity. Some models are equipped with remote controls with electronic displays, and all information is displayed on them.

Separate rooms for shower and sauna in one building are an option for those who do not want compromises and want to ensure maximum comfort in the steam room

When choosing the type of equipment, you should decide on your priorities. If you need a full-fledged sauna, it is better to choose a combined model. If multifunctionality is more important and there are no increased requirements for the quality of steam procedures, then the “2 in 1” option is suitable.

Wooden shower cabin for a bath

A shower stall made of wood is a classic version of a bathhouse. Today it is in great demand and has many different models at low prices.

Pros of wooden cabins:

low cost;
attractive appearance;
easy to maintain;
low repair cost;
there are many offers on the plumbing market;
The temperature desired by the user is easily maintained at moderate humidity.

Disadvantages of wooden shower stalls:

the material wears out quickly;
additional care required;
a large number of low-quality products;
frequent problems with seals.

A wooden shower cabin for a bath can be purchased at the construction market or ordered through a specialized plumbing store.

Recommendations for installing and operating a wooden shower cabin

Mandatory rules before installing a shower cabin:

the minimum size should not be less than 100x100 cm;
the presence of a seat to increase user comfort and safety;
it is necessary to ensure the strength of the structure, especially for doors, since seals can often break;
check the integrity of the structure after delivery of the goods;
It is recommended to choose only sliding doors, they are more durable and have high-quality insulation;
Be sure to calculate the estimated utility costs.

Certain technical specifications for the premises must be met.

Availability of free space from 150x200 cm.
The drain pipe connection should be at a height of 65 mm from the floor.
Moisture-proof sockets and batteries should be located at a height of 1020-1300 mm from the floor.
The mains voltage should be 220-380 V, and the frequency should be 50 Hz.
Hydraulic pressure 0.2-0.4 MPa.

The standard procedure for installing equipment is always the same.

Pallet installation. The protective film is unpacked and the lower part of the device is installed.
Rear wall installation. Secure the plastic rollers.
Installation of fasteners. Fixation of auxiliary elements.
Connecting the side walls using seals.
Mounting the functional panel.
Connection to communications.
Diagnostics and performance testing.

Recommendations for use:

to increase comfort, order a shower cabin with a control panel; using such a device you can easily adjust the temperature, humidity and fan speed;
every 3 months it is necessary to check the condition of the seals and cabin material;
cleaning is done every 3 weeks;
It is not recommended to frequently change temperature conditions due to large pressure drops in the water supply;
The service life of the steam generator is about 1-2 years, depending on the frequency of use;
every six months it is necessary to check the performance of the steam device; for this you need to call a specialist;
The use of aromatic products is recommended only for shower stalls made of wood.

Turkish bath hammam - thermal baths in an oriental style

Turkish baths are very similar in structure and design to Roman baths. According to historians, this is due to the fact that the Roman steam rooms were precisely the prototype of the hammam. Enterprising Arabs and Turks borrowed the idea of building a bathhouse from the Romans, starting to build something similar in their homeland, but with an oriental flavor. Of course, the hammam is much more modest in size than the Roman baths, but the interior decoration is just as luxurious. In addition, the hammam preserved the principle of constructing several rooms with different temperatures in one bath - the same as in thermal baths.

And there are really a lot of rooms in the Turkish bath; there is not only a steam room and a sink. And each room has a different temperature! Upon entering the Turkish bath, the visitor immediately finds himself in the locker room. It’s not hot here, but it’s already quite warm – about 28-30°C. This is followed by a transition to the main hall of the hammam (“Sogolyuk”), heated to 40-50°C. There are marble loungers (“Chebek Tashi”) on which massage and wellness treatments are performed.

Usually the main hall of the hammam has a round shape, from which, like rays from the sun, 5 niches-steam rooms with different temperatures, which can reach up to 70°C, extend. This number of steam rooms is needed so that each visitor can choose the optimal warming temperature for himself (suitable for his health and ability to tolerate heat). In modern private hammams, most often you won’t see such a large number and there is only one steam room.

Traditionally, all surfaces of a Turkish bath, including the loungers, are made of marble. Under them runs a system of pipes with hot water, which is used as heating. Thus, the initially cold stone becomes a source of very pleasant, soft heat that spreads throughout the hamams. The only cold part of the Turkish bath is the ceiling, so condensation forms on it. So that it does not drip on those present in the bathhouse, but flows down the walls, the ceiling is made in the form of a dome.

There is no scorching heat in a Turkish bath, so it is impossible to get steam here naturally. But, nevertheless, the humidity in the bathhouse is very high! Where does steam come from? Initially, hot water boilers were used for this, which were installed under the floor. The steam rose up and was released into the room through special holes in the walls. In modern Turkish baths, the role of boilers is played by steam generators, which create finely dispersed steam in the form of a light mist.

Criteria for choosing a shower cabin

A distinctive characteristic of such cabins is the presence of a steam generator, which creates a certain temperature and humidity.

When choosing, you should pay attention to certain criteria.

Device type.
Type of steam generator. Induction and electrode are considered the safest and most reliable.
Steam generator power. The higher the indicator, the faster the heating occurs, but the load on the pipeline and power sources increases. If you choose too much power, you should take into account the increased utility costs.
Volume of the tank. To use hot water and ensure correct operation of the steam generator, a special container is used. It is necessary for uniform heat distribution during water procedures. The optimal tank volume is 7-15 liters.

Important! The recommended power of the steam generator is 2-4 kW. When choosing a steam apparatus, you should take into account its dimensions, since this affects the weight and size of the shower cabin, as well as the sauna.

Distinctive features

How does hamam differ from other national baths? Its characteristic features, of which there are many, will tell you about this:

Low temperatures - steam in a Turkish bath does not warm up above 55 degrees. The average temperature is about 45 degrees.
Active use of essential oils - almost no procedure in the hammam is complete without rich aromatic oils.
High Humidity – Humidity levels range from 80 to 100%, which is why steam is often not even visible here. At the same time, due to the relatively low temperature, the steam is absolutely not heavy and not suffocating, so this humidity is tolerated quite easily.

Light steam in the hammam

No wood – no wood is used in authentic Turkish baths. It is not used either during the construction process or during the interior design process. The only exception may be combined baths, which borrow the characteristic features of other national steam rooms. A real hammam uses ceramic tiles or a more expensive material - natural stone, most often marble.
Great opportunities for procedures - the hammam is not used only for classic bath sessions, since it has all the conditions for a whole range of cosmetic procedures: wraps, massages, various types of peelings, etc.

Showers with Turkish sauna and hydromassage

Features of the shower cabin with Turkish sauna and hydromassage are as follows:

this is a universal option for complex water procedures;
a cabin with a sauna and hydromassage is the most common on the plumbing market;
thanks to the steam generation function, the steam generator can be used as an inhalation product;
fast heating due to simple and balanced operation of the steam generator;
environmental friendliness of use;
usefulness of the device for health procedures.

The complex option with a sauna is more expensive, but at the same time improves the quality of water treatments due to the hydromassage installation.

Popular manufacturers

The market offers products from a large number of manufacturers. According to most users, the optimal combination of price and quality is demonstrated by TIMO brand products. Finnish plumbing is already rightfully considered the best, and this company was able to stand out even with such serious competition. Smooth operation of all systems, flexible settings and an extensive range - all these advantages are characteristic of TIMO products.

In addition to the brand presented above, shower cabins with baths and hydromassage from the brands TEUCO, Jacuzzi, Albatros and AppoLLo have good characteristics. Of course, when choosing, you should not blindly trust the manufacturer - you must definitely check the performance of the system, the quality of the structural elements and the thickness of the acrylic on the pallet. If all these indicators are good enough, then the selected model is quite suitable for installation in the bathroom.

Conclusion

Shower cabins with a Turkish bath and hydromassage are an expensive but useful purchase. Choosing the right model can be difficult, but the efforts made will soon pay off - the specific atmosphere created by a good shower with a Turkish bath allows you to relax and improve your health.

Shower cabin with sauna and bath

The next option offers the user a more versatile cabin appearance.

Pros of a cabin with a bath:

increased functionality;
a comfortable option for relaxation.
Possibility to use bath fragrances.

Minuses:

high complexity of installing a shower cabin with a sauna and a bathtub;
huge size of the device;
heavy load on the pipeline;
expensive steam generator;
expensive service;
In the event of a breakdown, repairs must be made to order.

This is the most expensive option on the plumbing market, besides an infrared bath. Requires a lot of resources, difficult to place due to complex, massive structures.

Sizes and models of shower cabins

The minimum size of shower cabins with a sauna function is 90x90 cm. There are models a couple of centimeters larger. Other shower cabins with a sauna function have longer side walls – 120 cm.

Naturally, it is difficult to stand in a small shower stall all the time. But the purpose of the steam room is to relax the whole body. That's why the cabins have a comfortable folding seat on which you can sit if you wish.

If the size of the model is more than 100x100 cm, then you feel much more comfortable in it. Such a cabin will allow even a person with a fairly large figure to relax. You can look at photos of models to represent the existing sizes as accurately as possible.

Variety of models

The main difference between these shower cabins is that their trays have different heights. For example, there are models with a sauna function, in which the tray is similar to a bathtub. Its depth is as much as 40 cm. You can bathe babies in these trays. You pour water there, the child bathes, and an adult can sit comfortably on the tray. There are booths designed to be placed in a corner, and there are those that can be placed against a wall.

The height of the shower cabins, which have a convenient Turkish bath function, is 210 cm. This dimension is external. To ensure good temperature and humidity, all models have a ceiling. It is necessary to choose shower cabins with sliding doors. It is this design that well maintains the desired microclimate inside the cabin. Swing doors are completely unsuitable for this.

Requirements for using showers with steam rooms

When using a shower cabin with a steam room, you must remember safety precautions. Usually it is stated in the instructions itself or is included in the general set of documents.

Safety regulations:

children should shower only in the presence of adults;
It is not recommended to turn on the increased temperature of the shower cabin with a steam room while intoxicated;
Users with cardiovascular system disorders should not stay in the steam room for more than 5-7 minutes.

By following basic safety precautions, you can avoid side effects from steam.

The process of building a hammam with your own hands

Each item on this list requires special training, “surfing” the Internet and studying a large amount of engineering literature. But this is quite accessible science.

Hot and cold water is supplied from the common system at the entrance to the hammam premises, and taps are installed.

A sewerage system is being installed. All grating drains must have water seals in their design to avoid unpleasant odors.

A ventilation system is being installed. An indispensable part is a condensate collector that prevents water vapor from entering the general ventilation system of your home.

A lighting system of fiber optics (including for the “starry sky”) and low-voltage lamps is installed. According to SNIPs, their voltage should not be higher than 12 volts, and their transformers are located outside the hammam, in the technical room.

The steam generator is installed in the technical room; A system of steam nozzles is installed, and steam lines are installed to them.

A flavoring system is installed.

The walls and floor are plastered with concrete mortar with the addition of waterproofing additives for leveling and primary waterproofing. Such “pool” insulation will prevent overheated steam, with its high ability to leak, from destroying the walls of the room.

A door made of glass or transparent heat-resistant plastic is installed.

The walls are covered with polystyrene foam panels.

Sunbeds made of polystyrene foam are installed.

A heating system is installed on the walls, floor and sun loungers - electric or water.

If an electric heating system is selected, then each section of the floor, walls and each sun lounger has a separate electrical circuit and a separate thermostat. You can change their temperature individually. The design of the heating system is similar to what we are used to in apartments, but water pipes or heating cables are laid more often. The cable should have a heating power of about 250 watts per square meter.

Speakers are mounted at the very bottom of the seats or in the ceiling. Acoustic systems for baths have moisture- and heat-resistant speakers.

Finishing work is being carried out - laying mosaics. We check all surfaces for minor irregularities. We align them if necessary

It is important to choose the adhesive that is ideal for each brand of mosaic. The mosaic pattern, if there is one, should be oriented vertically to the door, not the walls

Carefully mosaic all straight and curved surfaces. We remove the paper. Grout the seams with suitable grout.

We install a kurna - a bowl under the taps.

Your hammam is ready.

Device

In connection with the described ritual of taking a hammam, the construction of a Turkish bath box is very intricate. Developers usually assume that a person can stay here for a long time. Therefore, he should be comfortable and, if possible, not bored. Here is what is being done in this direction:

The shower cabin turns into a real box with a large tray. This allows two people to take a seat inside at once, or one to sit reclining.
There are usually speakers inside for listening to music.
In addition to the above, there are optional communication means and the ability to connect mobile gadgets (via the mp3 port).

It must be said that some in Islam consider it sinful to listen to any music other than singing that gathers worshipers. Therefore, it’s hard to call such a multimedia center a real Turkish bath.

Protection Features

Due to the presence of a steam generator, power from a 220 V network is required. In normal cases, this is not allowed. For example, the lighting of a jacuzzi operates on 5 or 12 V. It is difficult to say exactly how the designers circumvented the requirements of regulations. A steam generator is a miniature boiler where not too much water is converted into steam.

For 3 kW, the current will be 16 A, but you need to take 20 or 25 with a margin. In this case, A. Zemskov’s well-known rule about the limited denomination of the machine does not work. Because the cause of operation is a current leak of 30 mA (determined by the PUE and other regulations). It is difficult to select the protection current, because when the steam generator is turned off, the device consumes much less, and it is more difficult to notice a short circuit.

Multifunctional cabin Appollo A-0818

If there is no differential circuit breaker, then at least an isolation transformer is needed. Better yet, combine both types of precautions for a shower stall with a Turkish bath.

Design

Market analysis shows that most often a shower cabin with a Turkish bath has a hydromassage option. This means that there are injector holes on the back wall through which thin jets of water rush inside. Physiologists and therapists believe that this is useful. The jets in the box are usually double and adjusted in pairs.

The more injectors, the cooler it is and the more expensive it is. It is impossible to say exactly what the scientific basis for this approach is. Because hydromassage has a theoretical and practical justification, but it is carefully hidden from mere mortals. This can only mean that the exact mechanism of action of the shower box has not been studied, therefore, no one can say exactly how many sprinklers the device should have.

When the number of pairs is three (six nozzles in total), each is controlled separately. But when the number increases, for example, to 16, this technique becomes ineffective. As a rule, such expensive models have electronic, including touch controls. On the back of the box there are two inputs, for hot water and cold.

The controller mixes two streams according to a given program. The operating principle is reminiscent of washing machines with two inputs: for hot water and cold. The required temperature is achieved without heating, by simple dosing, which sharply reduces power consumption, which means that protection requirements are simplified and the price of electrical equipment is reduced.

Externally, models of shower cabins with Turkish bath function are almost the same as regular ones. There is a mandatory frame, the necessary walls, a roof, constant doors, a shower stand and, of course, a mixer.

Square cubicle

The main thing here is a special panel. It is this that allows a person to choose the functions he needs. You can add or reduce steam, adjust the temperature, turn on the light. Using multifunctional shower cabins is very simple and convenient.

Most often, cabins with an additional sauna function are made of plastic. The temperature inside is usually 40-50 degrees, which is incredibly comfortable for the body. It is simply impossible to get burned, even if you accidentally come into contact with the cabin wall. You are guaranteed to enjoy a bath with steam, soft and at the same time hot. Very often there is not only a standard shower head, but also a hand shower and a comfortable seat.

Today it is easy to choose the optimal model of shower cabins with excellent Turkish bath function from the many options offered. If you have the desire and financial capabilities allow, pay attention to a luxury model made in Italy. As an alternative, it is worth considering incredibly high-quality shower cabins from Germany and quite affordable Chinese models.

There is also equipment made in Russia. It most successfully combines excellent quality and incredibly attractive prices. Thus, Aquanet cabins are very popular. They are compact, their shapes are asymmetrical, different layout options are possible, and their design is smooth. At the same time, such models are incredibly functional, extremely practical and truly ergonomic.

If you don’t like such delights of Turkish baths as hydromassage and tropical rain, you can choose incredibly compact economy class models. They have a minimal set of additional options. In any case, a shower cabin with a Turkish bath function will be appreciated by those who not only take a shower, but perform some kind of ceremony that allows them to have a great rest and completely relax.