Baths made of rounded logs: pros and cons

For many years, wood has been considered the main material for the construction of baths. Wooden baths are loved for their unique interior and warm homely atmosphere. Buildings made of solid wood look especially impressive, one of the varieties of which are baths made of rounded (calibrated) logs.

Wood has been and remains the most popular material used in sauna construction. No other option can match its performance and performance. In addition, the construction of baths from wood will cost several times less than from brick, while the service life will be longer.

You can build a wooden bath from a rounded log with your own hands. If you already have experience in building houses, then this process will not seem so laborious. In addition, it is somewhat reminiscent of the assembly of a designer - the main thing is to know the principle of fastening logs and be able to handle construction equipment.

Firstly, like any wood, such a log is prone to rotting, therefore, special attention should be paid to the impregnation of the material with special antifungal compounds. Secondly, if the rules for the construction of baths are not followed, there is a risk of blowing through the walls. This can be avoided by entrusting the design and construction to professionals who will competently assemble the building and provide high-quality insulation of the log house.

Wooden baths require attention not only during construction, but also during operation: it is required to regularly insulate and fill up the cracks that may appear due to the deformation of the logs.

Another important aspect is flammability. Since the oven is heated regularly and often reaches high temperatures, the operation of the bath should be strictly controlled and fire-prevention measures must be observed.

A round log bath has many advantages:

• Environmental friendliness. Wood does not emit any harmful substances during heating, and even, on the contrary, wood baths are considered beneficial to health, and staying in a steam room is equated to wellness procedures. Certain types of wood contain natural essential oils that have a beneficial effect on the vaping process.
• Low level of thermal conductivity. Baths, like wooden houses, give coolness in summer and warmth in winter. The caulking of the log house allows you to quickly heat up the room and maintain the desired temperature for a long time.
• Natural ventilation. Wood has a fibrous structure and unique breathability. Due to this, air circulation occurs, saturating the room with oxygen.

• Long service life. If the design and construction were carried out in accordance with the standards, then the bath will last for decades. The most durable wood is considered to be such wood species as aspen and larch.
• Affordable price. Compared to buildings made of brick or stone, a wooden bathhouse will cost several times cheaper.
• Fast and convenient installation. Thanks to the simple spike-groove fastening system, the bath can be folded like a constructor.

The following factors can be distinguished from the minuses:

• rather long shrinkage period of the building;
• the likelihood of deformation of the logs during shrinkage;
• high humidity during operation in the first year.

However, entrusting the construction to professionals, it is possible to get a beautiful and high-quality bath, the advantages of which can be enjoyed for more than a dozen years. The aesthetic characteristics of the interior and exterior of the rounded log baths cannot be compared with any other type of these constructions.

Chamber-drying rounded logs are produced by processing solid wood trunks using special equipment. As a result, logs of standard diameter (from 180 mm) with prepared grooves for installation are obtained. The traditional cylinder thickness is from 18 to 32 mm. If necessary, you can order the production of logs according to individual parameters.

During processing, a soft moist layer of wood is removed - sapwoodwhich is prone to rapid decay and cracking. For the manufacture of logs, only tree kernels are used, which are distinguished by high strength qualities. Thanks to this, the wood becomes more durable and wear-resistant.

In some cases, as a result of the removal of sapwood, the logs do not need any finishing - they are already sanded and ready for calibration.

Technical characteristics of rounded logs:

• High resistance to external stimuli. During processing, the logs are impregnated with special antiseptics and antirepins, which are necessary to protect against fungus, moisture, insects and fire.
• The heat capacity of calibrated logs is five times higher than that of bricks and concrete. Thus, wooden houses and baths are warm and sound, and most importantly, they are resistant to fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
• The natural moisture content of wood can reach 70%. It will take about a year to "stand" the baths from the "cylinder".
• Aesthetic appearance. Thanks to modern technologies, manufacturers have been able to expand the range of this material. Today, logs of various diameters and lengths are available for sale. The wood is presented in several shades: from reddish to light yellow color variations with a pronounced pattern, which looks especially beautiful. In addition, you can abandon the interior decoration in favor of an environmentally friendly interior.

A rounded log can have two types of groove: lunar and Finnish. The shape of the first one resembles a crescent, but the Finnish grooves differ not only in shape - their width is much larger, which makes it possible to create a more effective thermal lock. This, in turn, significantly reduces the cost of heating the premises, which is an important factor in the construction of baths.

The special shape of the groove allows you to significantly save on caulking the walls. In some cases, the craftsmen completely replace this procedure with the processing of logs with a special sealant.

One of the types of Finnish groove is Norwegian. Its shape is more angular, due to which the logs adhere more closely to each other, which increases the heat capacity of the room.

For the production of rounded logs, wood species such as spruce, pine, cedar and larch are suitable.

Of course, pine has the best characteristics, since its moisture resistance indicators clearly outperform other wood species. It does not change its own properties with frequent jumps in temperature and humidity levels. Hardwoods of aspen and alder are also popular in the construction of baths.

Few people know that wood of the same type can have a different density depending on the place of growth.

When purchasing material for building a bath, the following factors should be considered:

• splitting resistance;
• low thermal conductivity;
• low heat capacity;
• no resin pockets;
• little or no knots;
• nice smell.

In order for the bath to be strong and durable, its construction should be approached very carefully. Making even a small mistake can lead to cracking or cracking in the logs, which in turn can affect the building's lifespan.

Any "cylindrical" bathhouse will look beautiful and impressive. The sauna with a terrace looks especially elegant, where you can relax after water procedures and enjoy the fresh air. Often, the planning of the terrace is provided at the design stage, and its construction is carried out on a common foundation and under a common roof.

Especially popular are two-storey saunas with a terrace or attic. On the second floor, you can equip a relaxation area with rooms for spa treatments or a guest bedroom, and on the terrace and veranda you can place a barbecue or barbecue. Such baths are usually part of entertainment complexes and are designed for high traffic and regular use. Often, when on the territory of the bath complex there are elegant gazebos, swimming pools, various decorative elements.

The parameters of baths made of calibrated logs can be different. Standard projects imply a main structure of 4x6 m. A terrace or veranda is usually made 3x4 m - just like the kitchen. Large buildings can reach the size of 5x5 or even 6x6 m with a dressing room 3 by 4. Usually, extensions are made in the size of 1.5x4 m, which can be used as a recreation room.

Designing baths with a pool is a complex and time-consuming process.rather than creating regular projects. The creation of such a project involves taking into account many factors: the appearance of the building, its shape, the type of foundation, the location of engineering networks, waterproofing of the walls and much more. The pool can be located inside the bathhouse and outside. In the latter case, heating is usually used.

The options for complexes with an outdoor pool are considered a more economical option and are not so difficult to implement. The pool can be located under the same roof as the sauna and have common engineering communications with it. However, in this case, a large area will be required to accommodate all buildings, and the volume of earthmoving work will be several times greater.

Most consumers who choose rounded logs for the construction of baths speak positively about this material. It is especially distinguished among analog materials by those who are independently engaged in the construction of a bath. The simplicity and ease of construction is noted, which is not at all surprising, because the calibrated log is conveniently adjusted to each other, facilitating the installation process.

Some sauna owners have chosen this particular material. for its external data and fairly inexpensive prices. The low cost of logs allows you to approach the design of a bath in a big way.

There are reviews about the absence of heat loss in the steam room, which is important for a bath. In addition, the owners of a bath from a calibrated log save on heating, since correctly fitted beams exclude the possibility of blowing through the walls.

Many people worry that wooden baths are fire hazardous and are afraid to erect buildings from ready-made logs. However, the fears are completely in vain, since modern methods of wood processing allow you to achieve an excellent refractory coating, which protects the walls of the building well from ignition.

Some owners complain about the long shrinkage of the logs., which is why the construction process is delayed. It is worth noting that this is not entirely true, because in many respects the shrinkage period depends on the specialists who will be engaged in the construction of the building. Correctly fitted logs, competent approach and experience of craftsmen will reduce the period to several months.

The sauna with a swimming pool inside will be a great place to relax at any time of the year. To make the rest comfortable and pleasant, you should take care of installing high-quality waterproofing, cleaning, heating systems. The pool can be of any shape: round, oval, rectangular or curly.

One-story baths are a classic option for a small area. The original construction solution compensates for the size of the building.

Baths with a terrace look especially beautiful. The eco-style terrace, complemented by vintage lamps, will become a favorite resting place. In addition, it is here that you can place a barbecue oven or brazier.

For an overview of the rounded log bath, see the video below.