The process of arranging a summer shower for a summer residence

The tightness of city apartments, especially in winter, is very tiring. And many of us are looking forward to the onset of summer to spend our free time alone with nature, enjoy the singing of birds and bask in the warm sunlight. And gone are the days when summer cottages were associated with work in the beds. To date, the owners of summer cottages strive to improve the suburban area and the house no worse than a full-fledged city apartment. And to make life much easier, not much is needed. Sometimes, for a wonderful rest and good mood on a hot day, you just need to cool down a little and admire the nature. And even if it is not possible to carry out a full-fledged water supply or equip a pool in a suburban area, you can always find an opportunity to build an outdoor shower.

A summer outdoor shower on the site will help you simply and quickly freshen up after work or a long hot day. And it is not necessary for him to carry out communications, the shower can function without a water supply. An outdoor shower in the modern sense is not just three walls with a hose, it is a full-fledged engineering structure, the design of which must be approached thoughtfully and thoroughly.

The design of a summer shower can be different.

• Rack - a simple option that even a beginner can do on his own. Also, such structures can be inexpensively purchased ready-made in the store, you only have to assemble and install a shower rack on the site.

• Panel - installed along the house, wall or fence. Similar designs can also be purchased at a store or made by hand.

• Booth - the most common and familiar version of a summer shower for us. The booth can have three or four walls, and can also be supplemented with a changing room. A similar design can be installed anywhere on the site.

Depending on the design and on the location of the summer shower, the method of supplying water depends:

• showers with a barrel for heating water - this method is in great demand among summer residents;
• plumbing - such a shower requires a large complex of work, since communications are required.

An outdoor shower is perhaps one of the most important types of buildings in the country.

All types of country outdoor shower can be roughly divided into several types.

• Mobile outdoor shower. If there is no desire or opportunity to install a reliable and durable structure on the site, then you can resort to a portable summer shower. For water, a bucket or basin can be used, to which a foot pump with a hose is connected. The principle of operation of the structure is very simple.You lower one hose from the rubber mat into a container with water, and the second is used directly for irrigation. And for the water to flow, you need to stomp on the rug. The foot shower itself is small and lightweight. Such a rug can be taken with you on a hike or expedition. And another advantage of this option is that you can adjust the water temperature yourself without any problems. If you want to take a hot shower, fill the container with hotter water, and if you want to cool down, draw in cool water.

• Stationary. For him, you need to think over a water drainage system. Otherwise, soapy water can get into the crop beds, which will adversely affect the plants. It is good if there is a drainage pit for used water or a sewage system on the site, then it is necessary to connect a channel to them to collect water from the street cabin. Also, for the shower, you can make a separate drain pit 60x60x60 cm in size - this volume is enough for an average water consumption. The bottom of the pit must be covered with expanded clay or broken brick. If the soil on the site is sandy, then the walls of the pit must be reinforced with a metal mesh, otherwise the sand may crumble. The easiest way to reinforce a drain hole is to use old tires.

• Warm. If you plan to use an outdoor shower not only in the summer heat, but also in spring and autumn, then the walls must be insulated. Styrofoam or expanded polystyrene is great for this. But between the wall or thermal insulation, it is necessary to lay a moisture-resistant film, otherwise the insulation will absorb moisture. And so that hot water in such a warm outdoor shower is always available, it is worth connecting the cabin to the domestic water supply.

• Universal. To rationally use the area of ​​the site, you can place a dry closet under the same roof with a summer shower. You can also combine an outbuilding with a shower. This 2-in-1 solution significantly reduces the cost of construction.

There is nothing difficult in making a summer shower with your own hands. And this work should be approached with all responsibility.

To begin with, you need to carry out several consecutive actions:

• choose a suitable project;
• draw up a drawing on paper indicating the size of the building and the size of the site;
• choose a place for the future street shower;

• mark the territory;
• buy the necessary materials and tools;
• equip the foundation;

• to carry out a sewerage system to drain water;
• prepare the drain;
• install the design of a summer shower;

• Install a water tank or connect a water supply;
• carry out interior decoration;
• Install clothes hooks, shelves and curtains if needed.

So in any case, all work must begin with drawing up a plan and drawing. This stage will greatly facilitate the subsequent work and will save you from many problems.

The height of the cab must be up to two meters, and the space inside should be enough in order to turn around, bend over and raise your arms up without constraint of movement. As a rule, this is enough about two meters in length and one and a half meters in width.

A summer shower project can be simple but fun at the same time. And for this you do not need to have special construction skills. For example, on the site you can build a two-room summer cottage with a toilet and shower under one roof. Such a building will be especially important during the rain or during the cold season. The optimal length of the trailer is 6 meters. This area will be enough to accommodate a toilet, shower and changing room inside.

Each owner chooses a place for a summer cabin independently.

Let's list the main recommendations.

• It makes more sense to place the cab on the sunny side.Try to avoid shade, and in order for the water in the tank to heat up faster, it is advisable to find a place where the sun's rays fall throughout the day. If there is no such area in your yard, then you need to consider at what time it will be more comfortable for you to take an outdoor shower. If during the day, then choose an area that is illuminated by the sun in the morning. And if you prefer to shower in the evening, then it is recommended to choose a place that is illuminated by the sun in the afternoon.
• It is better to choose a flat area with a small hill, so the water will drain faster into the drain pit. Placing a shower in a low area will undoubtedly lead to stagnation of water, which in the future will lead to the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

• The place must be protected from drafts - even though the summer breeze is warm, the wind can cause trouble.
• The shower cabin should not be located in the central part of the site - it is better to hide even the most unusual and interesting design from prying eyes.

Several options will be a suitable place for installing a cab in a suburban area.

• Area next to a private house. In this case, you can use one of the walls. This is a great option that allows you not to carry out additional communications. Such a shower can be connected to the domestic water supply system, and to drain the water, use a ready-made sewer. In addition, additional lighting can be provided so that you can take a shower in the dark.
• Not far from the bath. It is very helpful to take a cool shower after the steam room.

• Place next to the pool. In this case, it is good to make the wall cladding of the shower stall with the same tiles, so as not to disturb the harmony and unity of style.
• Under the same roof with an outbuilding or toilet. This option allows you to save not only space on the site, but also money.
• Another good two-in-one option is to allocate extra space for the dressing room. Agree, it is not very convenient to wipe off with a towel in a narrow wet shower. And you should think over the project so that water does not penetrate into the locker room.

With the help of modern building materials, you can create an original and elegant outdoor shower, both inside and outside. Also, for construction, you can use any available materials. Undoubtedly, the choice of materials depends directly on the type of building. And, as a rule, everything comes from the tools that you have and from your building experience.

When building a summer shower, it is not necessary to use expensive materials.

The most popular for the shower are:

• wood;
• brick;
• polycarbonate.

If you know how to use a welding machine, then you can build a shower cabin from a metal profile, and the walls from tarpaulin or polycarbonate. The frame made of a professional pipe will last for several years and will withstand even strong gusts of wind. Also, profile pipes can be connected using steel corners. In this case, you do not need to use a welding machine.

A wooden shower room will look beautiful and practical on the site. A natural natural pattern will fit perfectly into the landscape design. The most practical and inexpensive shower can be built from planed wooden planks. But at the same time, the tree must be treated with special agents against moisture, which will prevent the formation of fungus, the development of parasites and decay. You can also paint the walls, the main thing is that the color is in harmony with the rest of the buildings and the general style of the site.

Polycarbonate structures are in great demand among summer residents. And there are several explanations for this. Firstly, polycarbonate showers have a beautiful appearance and look good both in an open suburban area and in a garden.Secondly, despite the dense walls, polycarbonate transmits a lot of light and keeps heat inside, so such structures do not need additional lighting. And thirdly, it is not difficult to assemble and install a polycarbonate shower. The frame for the shower room made of polycarbonate can be either a wooden bar or a metal profile.

As for the shower drain, in this case only one requirement is put forward for the materials - they must be resistant to high humidity.

Best to use:

• roofing material;
• hydrostekloizol;
• concrete with the addition of PVA;
• PVC film.

The main rule that must be observed when arranging a summer shower is that the design of the cabin should not get out of the general style of the site. A well thought out design will add a touch of creativity to the site. And having a living imagination, you can afford to equip not just an outdoor shower, but a real building masterpiece.

It is generally accepted that the color of a summer shower should match the shade of the walls of the house, garage, gazebo and other structures on the site. But you can also choose shades that are in harmony with each other. The walls of the cabin can be decorated with decorative elements and turn an ordinary outdoor shower into a bright and original accent. But bright and catchy colors are used extremely rarely, because after all, you should not turn the shower stall into a central element.

The shower stall can be designed in a variety of styles. So, for example, for a high-tech style, you can use white stainless steel sheets. And for minimalism - a shower cubicle with a white curtain.

You can plant moisture-loving plants near the booth, which will not only add mood to the site, but also contribute to rapid drainage.

As a rule, for a small summer shower without a changing room, approximately 1x1.5 meters of base is sufficient. First you need to make the markup with wooden pegs. The base of a summer shower must be able to support a weight of about 200 kilograms. Therefore, in order to ensure maximum structural strength, the posts must be dug into the ground or concreted in the base. Pour concrete over the selected area and place bricks on the sides. They will function as bumpers. The foundation itself should slightly raise the entire structure above the ground.

Even at the design stage, you should take care of the reservoir for collecting water. It can be located directly under the base of the cabin or nearby, then the water will additionally pass through the inclined pipes. But keep in mind one point: a large amount of water should not stagnate in the pit, otherwise unpleasant odors throughout the site cannot be avoided. It is wiser to install a water collection channel and connect it to the sewer pipe.

You can put a wooden tray with slots down on the floor, so the water will quickly go away. In addition, in this case, the water will not spray. Also, instead of the floor, large pebbles or artificial porcelain stoneware can be poured onto the ground in the shower stall. Another advantage of such a coating is that the surface will not slip even at high humidity.

You can build a frame for a summer shower using a variety of materials.

If the frame racks are made of wood, then you need to process the wood from decay and strengthen the entire structure with additional corner braces. And also it is worth choosing exclusively dry coniferous wood. The dimensions of the beams are selected based on the weight of the barrel with water and the thickness of the polycarbonate. The frame must withstand an impressive weight - about 200 kilograms.

The metal frame is assembled in stages using a welding machine or steel corners. For uprights, a 40 mm diameter pipe with a wall of about 2 mm is suitable. Intermediate horizontal connections will strengthen the entire structure and make the outdoor shower more reliable and durable.All metal elements must also be additionally treated with special solutions to protect against corrosion and rust.

The plastic frame is attractively priced, but cannot support a lot of weight. The overall structure will last about 5 years.

The aluminum frame will cost more because aluminum has better performance and is more expensive. Many manufacturers of shower cabins prefer an aluminum frame.

A brick, stone or concrete frame is a great option for creating an unusual and reliable shower.

After creating the frame, you can move on to the structure plating.

You can also make a roof from various materials. The choice depends on a number of factors: on the type of construction of the building, the characteristics of the roof, climate, finances, as well as on the preferences of the owners of the dacha.

Polycarbonate is a great roof option in warm climates. For a shower room of standard sizes, only two sheets are required. You can use a transparent material, then the water in the barrel will heat up faster, and it will be light inside the cabin.

Slate should be used if the shower is made of brick or stone. Although for some, such a building will resemble a small house or a barn, but it will be possible to take a shower in the cold season.

Roof tiles are the most durable and reliable material.

Roll-up materials are an easy and quick way for a stationary outdoor shower. On such a surface, water will quickly drain to the ground. The advantages of roll materials include fire safety and ease of repair.

Sheet steel makes roof construction quick and easy. But at the same time, the sound of water droplets during the rain will be well heard.

The corrugated board has a specially coated polymer composition, which increases the service life up to 30 years.

The roof structure should have a slight slope to allow water and snow to drain. If the water tank will be installed on the roof, then the materials should be treated with water-repellent impregnations. And for reliability, additionally cover several layers of ordinary oilcloth on top.

The external finish of the shower stall must be made of durable and moisture resistant materials. And besides, an outdoor shower should be combined with the rest of the buildings on the site.

Step-by-step recommendations on how to finish a summer shower.

• Film shower - the simplest and most affordable option. But such a cabin will need to be brought into the room when the weather changes abruptly. And in fact, the film shower will last only one season. But such a cabin can be built in one day. To do this, you will need a double-sided corner frame assembled like a screen, as well as a thick film or a waterproof curtain.
• Polycarbonate shower room. Such cabins can be purchased ready-made in the store, you do not need to choose a project, draw up a drawing and adjust polycarbonate to the required dimensions. But if you decide to carry out all the work yourself, then choose colored polycarbonate with a thickness of 6-8 mm. Behind it, you will absolutely not see what is happening in the shower, but natural light will calmly penetrate inside and provide the necessary lighting. For corners, you must also purchase a docking corner. It will make it easier to assemble the cab.

• The brick shower room must be plastered. All work must start from top to bottom. First, a small layer is applied, and then the amount of solution is increased, but one layer should not exceed 5 mm. In this way, all sides of the cabin are gradually plastered. When working on corners, experts recommend additionally using wooden slats. With their help, it will be possible to complete the work much faster.
• Wooden shower room must first be treated with protective agents so that the wood does not rot. Then the boards can be covered with linseed oil and after complete drying, finish the finishing work by painting all the walls.Inside, a wooden cabin should not be painted; it is better to choose plastic panels for interior decoration. They are easy to install and reliably protect the tree from moisture.

• Corrugated cabin - a simple and reliable option. It is better to order in the store sheets of corrugated board of the required dimensions in advance, then you will not have to adjust the material yourself and will only have to assemble an outdoor shower like a designer. Also, the corrugated board can not be painted and treated with additional preparations. Fasteners should be immediately selected to match the color of the cab. The sheets are fixed to the frame with a screwdriver. Also prepare a simple pencil, tape measure, and level in advance. The corners of the shower stall can be smoothed, for this you can bend the corrugated sheet along. For the second method, you will need to additionally purchase ready-made corners made of galvanized sheet.

The choice of the tank depends primarily on the capacity of the shower. To freshen up for an adult, 20 liters of water is enough, and to wash, you need about 50-100 liters. And also count how many people you usually have on the site. Based on these data, it is already possible to determine the choice of the volume of the barrel.

As a rule, a volume of 200 liters is sufficient. And the maximum allowable volume is 500 liters. The barrel must be completely closed, otherwise the water will become clogged with leaves and small branches. If the structure is open, then a cover can be foreseen in advance. And before installing the tank on the cab roof, it is necessary to strengthen a solid platform.

The easiest way to connect the tank is to make a tap hole in the barrel and connect a hose. In a plastic tank, this can be done with a drill, and for metal, you need a drill for metal.

The material of the tank also plays a big role. It is well known that metal heats up much faster than plastic, but, nevertheless, experts advise installing a plastic barrel in a summer shower. Unlike metal, it has an optimal service life and is not subject to the harmful effects of corrosion. An excellent option for a street tank would be plastic or stainless steel. And it is wiser to choose a flat tank, which at the same time can be used instead of a roof. Another plus of such a tank is that the water in it heats up evenly.

After completing all the installation work, you can proceed to finishing. The main requirement for the materials that will be used inside the cabin is that they must have excellent moisture resistance characteristics.

The wall inside can be plastered, painted or finished with plastic panels. Also a good option for walls is a wooden lining.

When installing the floor screed in the shower room, a slight slope is maintained for quick drainage of the water. The interior space inside the shower stall can be decorated with tiles. Moreover, it will perform not only protective functions, but will also be used as a decoration.

After finishing the work on the walls and floors, you can proceed to the installation of the door. Also, in the shower stall, you can additionally install a faucet at the level of one meter. In this case, you can wash your feet or shoes after working on the site. It will also be very convenient for pets to wash their paws.

The barrel can be filled with water manually or using a pump.

There are four ways to keep the shower warm at all times.

• Sun rays - the simplest and most economical option for heating water. But in this option, a prerequisite for choosing a place for the cabin is that the site must always be under the sun's rays.To enhance the effect, you can paint the tank with black paint. Then the rays of the sun will heat up the surface of the barrel more strongly, thereby the water will be warmed up faster.
• Use firewood - this option is possible if a gazebo with a fireplace or stove is installed next to the shower cabin.

• Use an electric heater - for a summer shower, there will be enough power from 2 kW. Teng should be installed in the lower part of the container with water, and if you plan to use a boiler, then it must be placed on top. But in this case, the tank should be equipped with a thermometer that will indicate the temperature of the water. When the maximum temperature is reached, the electric heater must be turned off, otherwise the device may burn out.
• Install a modern thermosyphon system - cold water, passing through pipes through the coolant, moves into a container with heated water. But this method can only be used in the hot summer period.

For a large family, two water tanks can be placed on the site. One large one is for cold, and another smaller one is for hot. Thus, each family member will be able to independently regulate the water temperature. To do this, it will be necessary to connect a mixer to the system to supply water from different barrels.

Undoubtedly, every owner of a suburban area can independently build an outdoor shower.

To do this, you need to know only a few simple tips and tricks.

• For the greatest reliability and strength of the structure, every detail of the frame should be concreted, and the lower corners should be attached to pegs and driven into the ground.
• It is necessary to assemble the frame of metal profiles on a flat asphalt surface. Also, for the accuracy of fastenings, use special welder magnets, they will greatly facilitate this task.

• Clay cannot be used for shower drainage, over time it will wash out from the constant flow of water, and then the flooring will have to be done again.
• A ventilation system in a closed shower should be provided in advance.

• If you are using a plastic tank for water, be sure to strengthen the grip of the tank with the installation support. It is wiser to tie the tank directly to the structure, otherwise, during strong gusts of wind, the empty barrel can be demolished.
• To save water during the operation of the shower, you can install a watering can with a fine dispersion.

• Avoid placing a shower near a well so as not to spoil clean drinking water.
• If part of the water tank is in the shade for a long time, you can use a thermos-like technique. To do this, wrap the shadow part with aluminum foil. Then the warm water will cool down more slowly. You can also cover the entire barrel with polyethylene or polycarbonate for a greenhouse effect.
• A great option for a less sunny climate is to choose a tank with automatic water heating. Thus, there will always be warm water in the summer shower and you will not have to monitor its temperature yourself.

If you follow our recommendations and advice, you will be able to independently build a beautiful, comfortable and practical outdoor shower that will also meet all your requirements.

Natural stone is a great option for building a summer shower in a suburban area. Walls made of wild stone look harmonious and appropriate in an open green area. When working with a flat stone, you can not use masonry material, but simply carefully stack all the elements on top of each other.

Modern manufacturers offer a wide variety of shower models for summer cottages. The most popular are the structures made of shaped pipes and polycarbonate sheets. Such a model, if desired, of course, you can make yourself, and at the same time save a lot.

An outdoor shower does not have to be in the form of a cabin or closed U-shaped walls.The easiest and most interesting option can be done in one day without unnecessary hassle. Pay attention to the following option: the owner of the site preferred to install an outdoor shower near one wall. But such a design is not able to withstand a large tank of water, so it is necessary to connect the shower to the domestic water supply.

Also, a summer cabin can be attached to the house, in which case the shower can also be connected directly to the water supply and the mixer with a hose can be brought out through the wall to the street. But at the same time, it is necessary to treat the walls with water-repellent agents or to tile the facade with tiles in order to protect the cladding from constant moisture.

Climbing plants are perfect as shower walls. To do this, install a lattice screen, and plant ivy, hops, morning glory, or girlish grapes next to it. After a few weeks, the green carpet will completely cover the shower stall and fit perfectly into the landscape design of the site.

An old tree can be a great hose camouflage.

Stone tiles are in perfect harmony with green vegetation. Such a shower room can be equipped according to the panel design, thus it will perfectly fit into the illusion of a natural natural wall.

For information on how to make an outdoor shower for a summer cottage with your own hands, see the next video.