Steam lovers today are increasingly choosing baths of a round design. It should be noted that this form is not at all new. Since ancient times, it has been customary for many peoples to make round baths, resembling a barrel in appearance or in the shape of a dome.
What is a barrel bath?
Such types of steam rooms are characterized not only by the way steam is formed, but also by the option of receiving procedures directly. If in Finnish saunas and Russian baths dipping in cold water or dousing is used, then in the Japanese ofuro bath, wiping with tissues takes place. Naturally, times are changing, because in modern baths for washing, as a rule, a shower is installed.
Features of round baths
The round barrel bath has several important advantages:
- Original design. Despite the fact that baths are most often built on the outskirts of the site, this attractive design will become its decoration.
- Compact size.
- To build such a bath is much cheaper, unlike the classical design.
- The steam room heats up quickly. In half an hour, the room can warm up to 95 degrees Celsius.
As a rule, the layout of such baths has a dressing room, a dressing room, a washing room and a steam room directly. The upgraded version can have a cozy and spacious lounge area with a swimming pool and even a terrace, which also serves as a place to spend time in warm weather.
Some owners build round baths so comfortable and spacious that they can even be used as guest houses. Of course, the cost of this project is much more than a simple design.
Designing a bath-barrel
If you want to make your own barrel bath project, then you need to consider some factors:
- Quality waterproofing.
- Good thermal insulation.
- An efficient ventilation system.
- Furnace device (most often cast-iron structures are installed).
- Drain system.
- Accessories.
- Lighting.
Material for bath
Regarding building materials, water-resistant wood species are most often used. For the construction of a barrel bath, oak or aspen is perfect. These types of wood do not contain resins and do not emit an unpleasant odor. Separately, it is necessary to mention the cedar. The medicinal properties of this wood have been known since ancient times. Round baths made of such material increase metabolic processes in the body, have a positive effect on the musculoskeletal system.
Softwood is also used as a building material, buthere it must be taken into account that when heated, such wood releases toxins and carcinogens, as it contains heavy resins. For interior decoration, it is better to use aspen or linden.
Dome-shaped bathhouse
This structure is made in the form of a hemisphere, with a round stove in the middle. Due to this, the steam goes up, then evenly settles on the dome and gradually descends down the center. Then it hits the surface of the furnace and goes up again. Thus, the steam circulates all the time, forming a “donut”, the feelings from this movement of the steam are simply indescribable.
This design has the following advantages:
- Steam does not completely fill the steam room, unlike the traditional design, when the steam must be dispersed with a broom.
- Round baths are much warmer, which means that the healing effect is better.
- Such a steam room cools down much longer and requires much less wood for heating.
- The constant shifting of steam makes it easier to relax.
- Domes do not scatter light and heat radiation.
- Natural air circulation creates an even temperature in the steam room.
The construction itself is light, so no heavy foundation is required. Naturally, it is very difficult to build such round baths with your own hands, without much experience, but there are ready-made products on the market that you can mount yourself by following the instructions.
