A fully-fledged bathhouse on a summer cottage can look so inviting that passersby won't be able to take their eyes off it. And during the colder months, a lightweight summer bathhouse can be tucked away in a shed, protected from snow. However, if you visit your dacha frequently, it's a good idea to leave it outdoors all winter. We're talking about a barrel bathhouse, which you can build yourself using blueprints, photos, and video instructions. Craftsmen can assemble this unusual structure from scratch in just a couple of days.
Do it yourself? Easy!
The length of a barrel sauna can vary from 2 to 6 meters; this is usually due to the interior contents of this unusual sauna structure.
[sc name=»info» text=»The smallest structures consist of a steam room and a stove, the entrance to which can be located either inside or directly outside. A large barrel sauna structurally includes a washroom, steam room, relaxation room, and even a covered porch.»]
It is typically constructed from coniferous wood, including fir, cedar, spruce, and larch. The creators of this unusual structure chose coniferous wood due to its high moisture resistance. After all, an outdoor barrel sauna is exposed to precipitation, temperature, and humidity changes.
Please note! This wood is quite expensive, but its high cost is offset by long-term use.
Tongue-and-groove boards with pre-cut tongue-and-groove joints are often used to assemble barrel saunas. This joint creates a rounded surface when the tongue and groove are cut using special templates, which is visible to the naked eye in the photo. CNC lathes are used for this, and the workers are skilled craftsmen who easily read any drawing and can handle the most challenging tasks.
The blanks are formed on well-planed edged boards or tongue-and-groove boards. Regular flat boards are also suitable, but in this case, narrow blanks with a radial dimension are selected to create a rounded structure. Regardless of the material used, a homemade barrel sauna always looks attractive, and the naturally beautiful wood requires no additional finishing. Craftsmen use various options for the roof, giving the structure a unique character and even greater appeal.
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A solid foundation needs to be created.
When constructing such a structure, there's no need for a special foundation. A platform is required to accommodate the rounded base of the sauna.
Well suited for:
- concrete or asphalt areas;
- compacted soil;
- a site with paving slabs laid along the slope.
DIY barrel sauna plans allow you to choose the site on which the structure will be built (see photo above). A wooden panel or reinforced concrete slab is laid on the ground.
In addition, the structure can be placed on wheels, on a special vehicle platform, and made mobile.
A supporting foundation is first installed on any site chosen by the dacha owner. To construct it, the following basic rules must be followed:
- use edged boards at least 5 cm thick;
- boards are pre-treated with an impregnation to protect against rot fungus;
- The cross support boards should be laid at a distance of 1.5 m, their number is determined by the model of the barrel bath;
- The cross boards must be notched according to the design template; there's a caveat here: at least 10 cm of the board must remain untouched;
- The rigidity of the structure must be achieved using metal corner pieces that secure the joints of the barrel sauna elements.
[sc name=»info-dashed» text=»The barrel sauna body assembly procedure has its own rules, outlined in the drawings and technical specifications. The dimensions and base must be perfectly proportioned to ensure the entire structure is strong and reliable.»]
First, the partitions are installed on the supporting foundation and secured with metal brackets to the crossbars. The partitions are pre-installed with openings for doors and windows. The wood of the partitions is also pre-treated with a protective impregnation.
The hand-made plans for the barrel sauna are detailed down to the smallest detail—this makes it easier for the builder to assemble the structure, so it's crucial to study them using the photos in this article.
What material is better to use?
Assembly
The owners of the future building choose the plans themselves, taking into account the family composition and the number of expected guests. Even for a single family, especially if children have been accustomed to the sauna from an early age, the room should be spacious, creating a more comfortable environment.
The finished oval-shaped base with installed crossbars allows you to begin laying the side boards using the tongue and groove method.
Once the section of the circle needed for fastening the partitions is prepared, they are securely connected with metal elements.
The necessary rigidity is provided by metal hoops that hold the "barrel" together using iron clamps. These clamps ensure that the entire "barrel" is evenly tightened after the wood has dried, preventing gaps from forming.
Exterior finishing is carried out according to pre-prepared drawings. A do-it-yourself barrel sauna can be finished with either a soft roof, customary for such structures, or a gable roof, which looks original on a round structure.
Any selected roof must be covered with waterproofing and thermal insulation according to the rules for installing a conventional roof.
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