What is a baptismal font and how to choose it?

In Russia, after a hot steam room, it was a tradition to plunge into cold water. This is one of the reasons why then the baths were placed on ponds or rivers. Today, not everyone has the opportunity to build a steam room near a reservoir. One of the alternatives is considered to be a baptismal font.

A bath tub is a container made of various materials. Install such structures both indoors and outdoors. Today you can often find a deep plunge pool in a sauna or heated in the yard or on the terrace. It becomes an irreplaceable addition to the sauna.

In the modern market, it is difficult to choose a font among a huge variety of types and models. There are fonts in the form of a barrel - furako. The so-called tubs are popular in saunas and home baths. If you plan to install a structure in the yard, then you should pay attention to the font-pool. If there is not enough space in the room, experts advise you to opt for a corner structure.

A universal option for any bath will be a collapsible container, which, if desired, can be transferred from the premises to the street. Some of the most expensive will be models with a hydromassage or hot tub. They significantly increase the pleasure of the bath, have a positive, health-improving effect.

The hot tub is made of different types of wood, it can be concrete or plastic, less often metal products are found. The cladding depends on the imagination of the manufacturer.

Capacities also differ in shape.

This option is rarely made of wood, since it is not very convenient to use. The thing is that a square-shaped wooden font does not have sufficient rigidity, the corners dry for a long time, unevenly, which negatively affects the product as a whole during operation. Most often, such fonts are made of two materials - plastic or concrete.

This option is best selected from wood.

Not the most popular option, but it can also be found on the market. Made of plastic or wood. Fits amazingly into a small room, since you can use an empty corner, while maintaining free space in the middle.

The classic version, the most common among manufacturers and in demand among consumers.

There are many options for making a baptismal font. Most often you can find products on the market:

• from stainless steel;
• from a concrete ring;
• made of polypropylene;
• brick;
• wooden;
• acrylic;
• inflatable;
• stone.

The most economical option is an inflatable product. You can buy this in a specialized store. The container is installed both outside and inside the room. The only drawback is that in winter it is better to put the font into a heated room, since the material can crack from frost and there will be cracks through which water will seep.

Metal products, including stainless steel, are rarely used for several reasons. They do not look very attractive and resemble a large basin, and the water inside cools quickly. Among other things, such models are not cheap.

A hot tub made of concrete can be placed above the floor level or dug into the ground. This design is stationary, it is impossible to move it after installation.

The shape that the bowl possesses can be arbitrary and depends only on the wishes of the owner of the bath. The same applies to decorative finishes inside and outside.

The required rigidity is achieved thanks to the reinforced walls and bottom. As an addition, you can build a ladder or steps, thanks to which it will be more convenient to operate the hot tub.

The described design stands out for its convenience and, which is no less important, for its durability. If the master makes, then he can build a mini-waterfall or make the effect of a hydromassage. The installed LED backlight always looks charming at night.

If you start making your own, you should familiarize yourself with the many building rules, including additionally making a water supply, make sure that all connecting sections have the necessary tightness.

You can put the tiles on top yourself. If you use high-quality building materials, then such a container will last a long time.

Recently, plastic products have become very popular. Manufacturers are trying to expand their assortment and offer models of various geometric shapes.

Such products are ideal for those who do not want to waste time on finishing. The bowls are sold ready-to-install, with decorative finishes. Their service life is at least 50 years. Manufacturers use high-quality components in the composition of the plastic, so it does not fade during the entire service life. Ultraviolet light and cold do no harm.

Wooden products have been and remain some of the most demanded on the modern market. They are made from various types of hardwood. Such material absorbs water minimally, therefore it lasts much longer. In addition, the tree heals, gives additional strength.

It is a good choice for those looking for a wellness bath. Larch and its infusions rejuvenate the skin and tone the body.

The material is able to withstand high and low temperatures, so the product can be placed outside in winter.

This tree has a good density, which is higher than that of larch. If we talk about positive characteristics, then cedar is a rich source of phytoncides. They negatively affect bacteria, so mold and fungus will not form on such a product.

Fonts are also made from aspen. Models do not have a very pronounced woody smell, which is important for those who have a negative attitude to bright aromas.

The tree of this species has excellent resistance to temperature extremes, it is durable and quite dense. He always has a pronounced tart aroma.

Oak products have always been popular. The positive properties of the wood of this tree have been known since ancient times. An oak baptismal font allows you to get the necessary boost of vivacity of the body and spirit. Oak infusions have a positive effect on wounds - the healing process is faster. After taking a bath, a person's sleep is restored, metabolism is normalized.

It is oak that is most often chosen as a material for making a font.

The sizes of the fonts are very different. There are large and small containers, wide and up to 2 meters deep. In this particular case, everything depends solely on the wishes of the user.

• The most popular are the round fonts. Most often, their diameter is 1 meter 20 centimeters.
• Oval models have standard dimensions - 78x120 cm.
• Plastic models usually have a diameter of 1.2 or 1.5 m. There are products and more, these are the so-called pools. The wall thickness varies from 5 mm to 1.2 cm.

Despite the simple design, you can choose accessories for the described products:

• ladder;
• hydromassage;
• backlight;
• bias.

Steps with handrails allow you to carefully enter the deep font.

If the bathtub is in the yard, then it is advisable to purchase a black awning as a necessary element of the shelter. Such a canvas perfectly protects against the ingress of dirt and insects into the water.

If you want to spend time in a warm font in winter, then you will additionally need to purchase a stove.

There are Japanese, Finnish, Russian and other manufacturers on the market. One of the most popular is considered Fitorodnik brand... The manufacturer offers a variety of wood and plastic models. The main difference is good quality and low price.

Traditional fonts are also made by another domestic manufacturer - "Russian Cooper"... Most of the models are made of larch and oak.

Also in specialized stores you can find the following manufacturers:

• BentWood;
• Roskedr;
• Blumenberg;
• Franmer.

For example, BentWood bowls fit perfectly even in small spaces. On wooden models, the top is made of stainless steel. There are steps inside for the convenience of using the product.

Bowls of the company are presented in the premium segment Maestro woods... Wooden models are made of stained larch. Such products fit perfectly into eco-style. Inside there are steps and seats.

When choosing a model for a summer residence or a private house, you should pay attention first of all to the material from which the font is made. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

If this is a concrete font, then of the advantages you can confidently single out:

• strength;
• durability;
• variety of forms;
• no restrictions in decoration.

Plastic models are easy to install and come with a ready-made external decorative finish. Such products are easy to care for, and they are sold at an affordable price. However, despite such a number of advantages, plastic fonts quickly heat up and lose their attractiveness due to the appearance of scratches. These are their main two drawbacks.

Metal products are expensive and difficult to install, but they are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Wood remains one of the most demanded materials. It is environmentally friendly, durable, and has a positive therapeutic effect.

When choosing a bowl, it is imperative to take into account its shape:

• oval structures are easy to install even in a small room, so they are very popular;
• you can approach round products from any side, they also take up little space, the main thing is to correctly calculate the volume;
• square and rectangular models are ideal for installation below ground level, especially in large rooms;
• if you want to save space as much as possible, then you should use a triangular font.

There are also so-called double bowls. This option should be considered if there is a desire to take contrast procedures. Water of different temperature is poured into the container.

The capacity can be small, for one person, or large - for the whole company. The smallest has a volume of only 1 m3, but there are also models up to 20 m3.

The seller will definitely ask what functionality the product should be. The most expensive models suggest the presence of not only benches inside and steps, but also a system for draining water, heating elements, and hydromassage.

The hot tub can be placed not only in the bathhouse, but also in the house, on the terrace or in the yard. There are 3 accommodation options:

• in-depth;
• open;
• overflowing.

To install a recessed bowl, you will first need to build a pit where the frame is placed. Such structures are always dug into the floor or the ground, they are equipped with a ladder and handrails so that it is convenient to go down and up.

Most often, in-depth fonts are placed in the dressing room or washing room. Additionally, the necessary communications are installed.

Open tanks are installed both outdoors and indoors. They are supplied with water and sewer pipes. To build such a font does not require large financial costs. Street options are advised to be supplemented with a stove.

The simplest in execution are doused structures, they have a small volume and are installed on the wall. When required, the person simply comes up, pulls the rope and unleashes a stream of water on himself.

If you wish, you can always make your own hot tub from a eurocube or from other materials at hand, adding a stove to the product. The quality of a homemade version will depend on the skill of the person who took up the tools.

As an example, an outdoor concrete bowl, the manufacture of which begins with the preparation of the site.

First, a pit is dug in the ground, then formwork is made. At the next stage, the master will need to organize waterproofing. Only after that reinforcement is installed, concrete is poured. Decorative finishing is the final stage in the construction of a concrete bowl.

Before pouring concrete, you first need to install fittings, plumbing and sewer pipes. To reduce heat loss, it is best to use extruded foam in the form of slabs as the permanent formwork. In the bathhouse and in the fresh air, the monolithic structure goes deep into the ground. If there is a desire, then the concrete bowl is raised above ground level.

There is an easier option, how to organize a font in the yard - to use tongue-and-groove boards. In this case, first, the pit is pulled out, then the previously prepared material is laid on the bottom, and the walls are knocked off with it. The empty space between the ground and the boards is covered with sand. Sometimes a stove is installed inside.

Before you start making a wooden bowl with your own hands, you will first need to evaluate the free space. Only then can a drawing be made. It is important to install a drain siphon, take into account the place of connection of sewer and water pipes, the presence of hydromassage, benches and steps. The product should be assembled from wood panels, the thickness of which can vary from 3.5 cm to 5 cm.

To fasten the elements together, use one of two methods:

• with glue;
• method of spike connection.

In the first case, a heat-resistant and moisture-resistant composition is used. After that, the finished frame must be pulled together with steel clamps. In total, you will need 3 or 4 pieces. It is not recommended to use the described method when the person who will bathe in the bowl is allergic or asthmatic.

According to the thorn-groove method, the lamellas must be connected in the same way as they do with the lining.

To build a hot tub using the thorn-groove method, you will first need to prepare:

• grooved boards, the thickness of which should be 4 cm;
• boards measuring 15 * 4 cm;
• large metal clamps;
• PVA;
• siphon for the drain system;
• propylene pipe;
• four bars 4 * 4 cm;
• small nails and bolts through which the clamps are attached.

Step by step algorithm.

• First, the bottom is assembled from the boards that are listed first in the list. They need to be laid out in a row, greased well with glue and connected to make a rectangular shield. All elements can be fixed with a clamp, which is removed when the glue dries well.
• On the boards that will become the future walls, a longitudinal groove is cut out from one end and a ledge from the other. In the lower part, grooves are cut out, the width of which is 4.2 cm and the depth is 2 cm.
• A round or oval bottom is cut out of the glued boards. You can use a jigsaw for this.
• From the bottom side, the legs of the bars are attached using screws. A hole is made for the drain, the existing pipe is inserted, and attached to the siphon. The latter is attached to the boards with self-tapping screws. Apply sealant to the joint.
• The walls are assembled from blanks. Hammer each board with a hammer so that it fits snugly into place.
• The next step is to put on the collar. They start from the bottom. The edges are secured with small nails.
• When the bowl is ready, its outer and inner sides will need to be carefully sanded with fine sandpaper. You can treat the wood with a special compound that protects against moisture and the formation of mold and mildew.

See below for more details.