Bathhouse brick or log house, which is cheaper. What is the best material to build a bathhouse from: general information, features and recommendations on which bathhouse is best to build. Advantages and disadvantages of a log bath

Today there are many materials for construction on the market. But most of the owners of their own plots most often argue about two types: is it better to have a bathhouse made of logs or bricks? Each of the materials has both its pros and cons, so before comparing it is worth understanding their properties in more detail.

Wood is a wonderful natural material that is great for construction. A log sauna has low thermal conductivity, which is why the air in the interior heats up quite quickly and remains warm for a long time. In addition, log buildings have a number of other advantages:

• environmentally friendly materials do not cause allergic reactions;
• structures made of wood “breathe”;
• modern log houses are highly reliable;
• walls made of wood help create an optimal microclimate.

With all this, a turnkey log bathhouse is inexpensive, and its assembly takes much less time compared to other structures. The high speed of construction of a log bath is associated with convenient transportation and the relative lightness of the material. In addition, constructing a structure from this material is quite simple. For all its pliability for processing, wood has very high mechanical strength.

Coniferous trees are most often used for log houses, because the resin they contain prevents the natural process of decay, as a result of which such a structure can last for decades, delighting the owners.

Brick structures

Unlike log baths, brick buildings have their own advantages, due to which this material has gained its popularity. First of all, it has a longer service life. In addition, brick allows you to build structures of almost any configuration. Otherwise, the advantages over log baths are purely aesthetic.

Compared to wood, brick retains heat just as well, but there are some features that make a log bathhouse still better:

• brick structures take longer to melt due to the high heat capacity of the material;
• the cost of brick structures is much higher than the average price of a log bathhouse;
• In the absence of proper ventilation and vapor barrier systems, buildings begin to become damp over time, which can cause a specific smell.

In addition, the great protection of brick structures from fires is greatly exaggerated.

Bottom line

Having analyzed the main advantages and disadvantages, we can safely say that log baths are better than their brick counterparts. The only drawback is less durability, but it is more than compensated by the low cost, ease of assembly, and a more pleasant environment. If desired, anyone can order wooden houses and bathhouses “from Mikhalych” - specialists will help not only choose the model of the future building, but also build it in a short time on a turnkey basis.

Having your own bathhouse in the courtyard of a private house is the dream of many owners of suburban areas. Everyone knows that a bathhouse serves as a place not only for regular washing, but also for wellness treatments - healing steam cleanses pores, improves blood circulation and gives vitality. In addition, there is a tradition that this particular building often turns into a kind of “club”, where you can have a great time with friends or loved ones.

Therefore, owners planning to create such a useful “complex” inevitably face the question of what is the best material to build a bathhouse from, so that it can create and maintain an optimal microclimate at any time of the year and at no extra cost. The choice of material directly influences the creation of a healthy, relaxing sauna atmosphere.

In addition, the right material is the key to the durability of this structure. It is imperative to take into account that the internal surfaces of the walls will be constantly exposed to moist hot air and temperature changes.

The modern market offers a wide variety of different building materials suitable for the construction of walls of houses, utility, utility and other specific buildings. However, it is worth taking a closer look and figuring out which one is ideal for a bathhouse.

When designing a bathhouse on a site next to the house, many owners ask themselves: what building material should they choose? Along with traditional wood, modern gas and foam concrete blocks have appeared on the market in recent decades, and brick as a raw material for the construction of baths has not lost popularity.

Advantages and disadvantages of aerated concrete baths

First in line is a bathhouse made of aerated concrete: the pros and cons of this material. If we compare aerated concrete with wood, the former has a longer service life and lower cost. The material contains sand-cement mixture and water.

Cellular concrete blocks have the following advantages:

1. simplicity and speed of installation of blocks;
2. with proper internal waterproofing, they are resistant to high humidity;
3. low level of thermal conductivity;
4. the ability to independently cut blocks;
5. affordable price.

Simple installation of blocks becomes a decisive argument when answering a beginner’s question: what is the best material to build a bathhouse from? The optimal choice is prefabricated buildings made of lightweight aerated concrete.

Review of aerated concrete bath: We converted the sauna into a bathhouse made of aerated concrete, located in the Moscow region. The sauna was 5 years old, the walls were dismantled. The autopsy showed small shoals due to violations of masonry technology. Overall everything is fine. 300mm concrete was used + half-brick cladding. No insulation.

List of strengths and weaknesses of foam blocks as a material for a bath

Despite the recommendations of construction regulations on the strict selection of raw materials for the construction of bathhouse complexes (in particular, the ban on the use of cellular concrete and hollow bricks), many site owners prefer these items due to their availability and price category.

Analyzing the pros and cons of a bathhouse made of foam blocks, it is necessary to note the hygroscopicity of all concrete-based materials. This parameter is determined by the peculiarity of the internal structure of the raw material - the pores perfectly absorb water and steam molecules. The block is most noticeably destroyed when there is a sharp temperature conflict - hot air indoors and frost outside. Therefore, any building made of foam cellular concrete requires careful waterproofing of the internal walls with sheet foil, and the external walls with any facing material. These operations increase the cost of the project, making it unfeasible.

Considering the total costs of constructing a foam concrete building, it is better to build a bathhouse made of bricks.

Advantages and disadvantages of brick baths

A brick bathhouse, the pros and cons of which will be mentioned below, is a good alternative to a wooden building. Natural clay raw materials are environmentally friendly and can withstand high temperatures. The advantages of such a bath are obvious:

• the period of use of the building exceeds 50 years;
• brick is a universal material, the shape of the bathhouse can be any;
• no external finishing required;
• high fire resistance.

Brick buildings are not without their disadvantages:

• high price. Compared to wood or cellular blocks, brick construction is the most expensive;
• high coefficient of heat capacity of the material, causing significant fuel consumption to heat the microclimate.

The listed options for bathhouse materials can be called less popular than traditional wood. Many owners of country real estate have no doubt that the best bathhouse can only be a structure made of wood. And such masters are faced with a completely different question: a bathhouse made of timber or logs?

Review of a brick bathhouse: Our bathhouse is made of brick, we wash ourselves all year round. We built it ourselves, the construction was long and tedious. Overall it turned out well, the bathhouse lasted for 2 years with no problems, and it will last for several decades without any problems.

Pros and cons of wooden baths made of logs and timber

Log houses have been built in Rus' for a long time. Before choosing whether linden or aspen is better suited for a bathhouse, you need to make a choice in favor of timber or logs.

Timber appeared on the market immediately after the discovery of timber processing technology. Building a bathhouse from timber is simple. Profiled raw materials can have a square or rectangular cross-section, but any of these types of material has a significant drawback - cracking during operation. Another disadvantage of using timber is the need to wait until the bathhouse shrinks. This takes on average 0.5-1.5 years. This disadvantage also applies to log baths.

A significant advantage of logs is their high aesthetic characteristics. Externally, such a bathhouse looks very colorful, rustic and cozy. In addition to its beauty, a log bathhouse has the following parameters:

• special indoor microclimate that has a beneficial effect on health;
• the tree “breathes”, allowing steam to escape;
• Durable design with proper use can last for several decades.

Illiterate preparation of logs for construction or the use of low-quality materials leads to rapid wear and tear of the building, requiring its reconstruction or replacement.

Review of the wooden bath: A log is more durable than timber, especially if properly prepared at the end of winter.

Which wood to choose?

What kind of wood is best to build a bathhouse from - ordinary people are interested. The best option is hardwood trees, because during use all surfaces will heat up to a high temperature. Deciduous trees most often used in bathhouse construction are aspen and linden. What material makes the bathhouse stronger?

In Russia, bathhouse buildings are more often built from cordate linden, which can be called a healer because of its positive energy. Light linden wood is perfectly processed and hardly deforms over time. The low density of the material and low weight are additional advantages. Basswood is usually used in conjunction with an oak frame.

Aspen has a soft structure, low susceptibility to rotting and proliferation of microorganisms. Over the years, an aspen bathhouse gains high strength; its walls begin to emit a specific ringing sound when struck. The antimicrobial properties of aspen were used by our ancestors in the construction of wells with spring water. If we talk about the financial side of the issue, an aspen log house will cost the owner of a bathhouse cheaper than its linden counterpart.

To summarize the above, it should be noted that each material has its supporters and the choice of raw materials for the construction of a bathhouse remains with the owner of the site. Below are reviews about each type of building, collected from construction forums.

Review of wood: Aspen has one advantage over linden - price! If the price tag suits you, take linden. Fragrant tree. Linden is a more resistant tree to moisture and temperature changes.

Russian bathhouse, not a single good dacha can do without this miracle of construction, the pleasure we can get from visiting a bathhouse is difficult to compare with anything. In the old days in Rus', bathhouses were built of wood, using pine, larch or aspen logs; in recent years, a brick bathhouse has become an excellent alternative to wooden construction.

Advantages of a brick building:

An excellent level of protection against fire; if a wooden building can burn out from a spark, the reliability of brick is fully justified.

Durability– if a wooden bathhouse lasts on average 15-20 years, then a brick building can last as long as you like, the average service life of such bathhouses is 150 years, this is the law of brick operation.

Aesthetic appeal– unlike wood, brick does not need finishing. And with the help of bricks you can create any, even the most bizarre shapes.

Disadvantages of such buildings:

Brick takes longer to heat - If it takes an average of an hour and a half to light a wooden bathhouse, then a brick bathhouse will have to be heated much longer, however, such a bathhouse will hold heat much longer

Expensive– a brick bathhouse is more expensive than a wooden one, but it also lasts longer

Lack of decent ventilation - such a bathhouse cannot withstand high temperatures, and its walls are much less ventilated

Comparing the pros and cons of construction, gardeners and summer residents increasingly prefer brick. Is it difficult to build a brick bathhouse with your own hands? If you love construction with all your heart, then building such a bathhouse will not be difficult.

To build a brick bathhouse you will need brick, cement, gravel, sand, a tub for mixing the mortar, and time. It is not difficult to calculate the amount of brick; first you need to create a drawing of the proposed structure, imagine the height of the building itself, as well as the height of the ceilings, which usually in a bathhouse does not exceed 2 meters.

According to fire safety standards, your bathhouse should be located 12 meters from residential buildings, 1.5 meters from the fence, in a free, ventilated space. You can build a bathhouse without fear of consequences. First you install the foundation for the bathhouse. For this purpose, a pit is dug, 1.5 meters deep, sand is poured into it, then a layer of crushed stone and metal reinforcement are laid. Formwork is erected from wood, which is subsequently filled with concrete. It is worth providing a hole for draining water, and also pouring a special formwork for the stove. It is better to maintain the finished foundation for 2-3 months, but if the construction is urgent, then the construction of the foundation can begin within a week. Some builders lay a layer of roofing felt or tar on the foundation; in the case of a brick bathhouse, we do not recommend doing this, because... In this case, the adhesion of the bathhouse to the walls is disgusting.

Wall masonry:

When starting to make masonry walls, think about whether it is better to use ordinary sand-lime brick, and build the thickness of the walls to 2 bricks. If you plan to lay out a pattern or relief on the walls, take care of it in advance. Interior partitions can be made thinner; here 1-2 bricks will be enough to separate the steam room and the bathhouse. This way you will protect yourself from fires and damage. If you try to make the bathhouse warm and durable, this bathhouse will serve you for many years.

A separate topic is mixing the mortar; for laying bricks you can use the mortar based on the proportion - 1 bucket of sand, 1 bucket of cement and a ladle of lime, pour the mortar with water to the desired thickness. As a rule, grade 200 cement is used to make the mortar. Such a mortar will reliably fasten the brick to the walls and give you the opportunity to enjoy a warm, cozy bathhouse.

Insulation of a brick bath

This problem is relevant in harsh weather conditions; in order to reliably insulate your bathhouse, you can use mineral wool, floor insulation, expanded clay or brick. No matter what type of insulation you choose, your bath can remain warm, beautiful and cozy. By insulating the walls with mineral wool, you get a cozy, beautiful and warm bathhouse. It is better to insulate the walls from the inside, using exterior finishing; you will have to sheathe the bathhouse with special metal frames. Brickwork in its pure form looks aesthetically more correct than a frame insulated with mineral wool. Thus, the finished bathhouse can not only last for many years, but also serve you faithfully.

Roof of a brick bath

As a rule, the roof of such a bathhouse is laid from siding or metal tiles; it is possible to provide a structure with a sharp ridge, as well as with sloping edges and drains. You can safely use this sauna for relaxation, and also get maximum pleasure from the finished sauna.

Building a bathhouse with your own hands is not such a difficult task, which can take a maximum of one season; the finished bathhouse can last longer than the expected date, however. Its use does not burden you or create additional difficulties. A beautiful, reliable, neat and aesthetically correct bathhouse, built in a short time with your own hands, will help make your holiday at the dacha pleasant and unforgettable.

Does a brick bathhouse shrink?

This question is asked by many who have gone through all the stages of building a brick bathhouse; indeed, the walls of such a bathhouse can shrink slightly. Experts recommend starting to decorate such a bathhouse 2-3 months after the completion of the construction of the walls. Thus, you will not only save significantly on finishing materials, but also protect yourself from the possibility of redoing interior work. Many questions arise during the construction process, for example, how to properly lay floors and ceilings. Beams are usually walled up with cement mortar; however, you should be especially careful about the method of laying the mortar into the resulting holes.

In general, summer residents are satisfied with the result of construction, which can serve for many years; such a bathhouse not only does not shrink, but also serves faithfully for many years.

Building your own bathhouse on a summer cottage or in a private house is a fashionable trend. Traditional materials for construction are wood and brick. You just need to decide which bathhouse is better - brick or log.

Pros and cons of a brick bath

Brick, unlike wood, can last hundreds of years

This structure enjoys well-deserved popularity because of its strength. The bathhouse will last a long time (about 150 years) without losing its functional qualities and attractive appearance.

Main advantages:

• high fire resistance;
• minimal exposure to atmospheric or biological influences, the material does not rot;
• Brick can be used to construct structures of any desired shapes and configurations that will fit perfectly into the architectural style of the site;
• For wall decoration, it is allowed to use a wide variety of moisture-resistant materials - tiles, stone, lining, plaster and others.

Flaws:

• it is necessary to build a foundation to a freezing depth (it can reach 1.5 m or more);
• brick has a high heat capacity, which means it will take longer to heat the bathhouse, especially in winter; the air in the room will cool quickly enough; additional internal wall insulation is necessary;
• good ventilation and vapor barrier are needed, otherwise capillary moisture will accumulate and the walls will begin to become damp.
• Brick baths are not cheap.

Advantages and disadvantages of a log bath

Wood, unlike brick, is able to breathe, that is, the room will be well ventilated

Wood is a natural material with a beautiful pattern.

If you visit a wooden bathhouse regularly, your health will improve, since the phytoncides and resins released from the wood during the heating process have a beneficial effect on the body.

Other advantages:

• no deep foundation is required, since the structure is light in weight;
• the room heats up quickly and retains heat for a long time;
• excellent vapor permeability, wood maintains optimal humidity inside;
• good soundproofing;
• a building made of wood will cost less than a brick one;
• the bathhouse can be erected in a short time.

• relatively low fire resistance, it can be increased by using fire-retardant impregnations;
• shorter service life compared to brick baths; the tree is destroyed under the influence of precipitation, sunlight, wind, damage is caused by fungi, mold, rot, and pests; additional impregnation of wood with special compounds is necessary.

Rounded logs are an environmentally friendly material, unlike laminated veneer lumber

If the wood is harvested and processed according to all the rules, such a bathhouse will last 50 years or even more. Rounded logs and profiled timber have a high level of reliability.

What is better to choose

Both types of buildings have their own characteristics, positive and negative. A wooden bathhouse is cheaper and more environmentally friendly, but a brick one is more durable and stronger. You need to rely on personal preferences and calculate your financial capabilities.

It should be considered whether the involvement of specialists will be required. While it is relatively easy to rebuild a wooden bathhouse yourself, building a brick building requires serious professional knowledge and skills. Careful adherence to all technological processes is necessary.

Whatever option is chosen, the main thing is that the bathhouse brings pleasure and becomes a real place of relaxation.