The beam has proven itself well in the construction of baths due to the optimal combination of cost and performance. This material is presented in a large variety, so it is important to choose an option that will last for many years and create a favorable indoor microclimate. In our article, you will find out from which tree it is better to build a bath and what size the lumber should be.
What timber for a bath to buy?
When erecting baths and other wooden structures designed for high humidity, the following types of timber are used:
- Glued. The material is obtained by gluing lamellas, which are pre-dried. The advantage of laminated veneer lumber is the minimum shrinkage - 2%. For this, manufacturers use boards with different directions of annual rings. Nevertheless, lumber was not widely used in the construction of a bath. Buildings made of glued timber require additional ventilation and interior decoration, since the adhesives used are designed for temperatures up to + 70 ° C. These costs are not justified given the rather high cost of the timber;
- Rounded. It is a building material with a circular cross-section, obtained as a result of mechanical processing. The finished product has the same diameter along its entire length, a smooth surface and a cylindrical shape. Baths made of rounded timber are distinguished by excellent aesthetic properties, and during the shrinkage process, the material does not crack and retains its original strength. The production of such a bar is expensive, which affects the price of the product. Therefore, rounded material is used for the construction of only elite baths;
- Profiled. This material is understood as a bar with a square or rectangular section with a smooth and even surface. In the longitudinal part of the product, a spike and a groove are provided for a strong and tight fit of the crowns. Connecting profiles in this way allows you to achieve good thermal insulation and protection against moisture penetration from the outside of the building through the space between the crowns. In the process of natural drying, the building material shrinks slightly, and at the exit, developers get a reliable and durable structure. Due to these properties and the relatively low cost of products, profiled beams are the most popular option for building a bath. In addition, buildings made of this material have an attractive appearance and will be a beautiful addition to the local area.
Now you know whether it is worth building a bath from a bar and what kind of material is suitable for these purposes, but this information is still not enough to start construction.
Profiled timber for a bath: dimensions
The durability and operational properties of a building depend not only on the type of wood, but also on its size. Before buying a timber for a bath, you need to build on the operating conditions and the season of use of the building. These factors determine the thermal insulation properties of the walls and the permissible ambient temperature range.
Profiled beam 140x90 mm
The material of these dimensions is optimal for the construction of summer baths, regardless of the type and amount of insulation. A 9 cm thick wall will not protect the room from severe frosts. Most developers offer to buy a set of baths made of profiled timber, in which the crowns are fastened with wooden dowels. This connecting element will protect the house from distortions during natural drying and operation.
A beam of small thickness is also in demand if the project involves external facing with a brick or finishing with an additional layer of insulation.
Profiled timber 140x140 mm
This is a versatile material for all-season baths. Between the crowns of the log house for the bath, it is necessary to lay insulation with a thickness of 150 mm or more. If these requirements are met, a favorable microclimate will reign in the room both in the sultry heat and in winter frosts. When assembling the kit, it is better to use wooden pins, so that the bath does not lead to the process of natural shrinkage.
Profiled beam 140x190 mm
A set of baths from a bar of these sizes is suitable for year-round use. In terms of thermal conductivity, wood is comparable to a brick wall 30 cm thick. Profiled timber 140x190 mm shrinks better due to its high weight, and is also less prone to bending along all axes in the walls. For such a timber for a bath, the price is higher than for materials with smaller dimensions, but this is offset by the durability and reliability of the structures. In addition, the products are suitable for the construction of a bath house designed for permanent residence. 140x190 mm - the optimal solution for northern regions and mountainous climates, as well as for two-storey buildings.
What kind of wood is best for a bath?
When choosing a material, you need to know not only how thick the timber for the bath should be, but also the optimal type of wood. Moisture indicators depend on this factor. In the construction of wooden baths, the following types have proven themselves excellent:
- Oak. It has excellent strength, resistance to moisture, resistance to decay and other parameters important for a bath. The only drawback is the high cost. Therefore, oak timber is usually used for laying the lower rims of a log house;
- Pine. A low-cost wood species with a high resin content. This quality is both an advantage and a disadvantage of the material. The advantage of pine, like other conifers, is that the resin protects the tree from decay and moisture. But at high temperatures, the abundantly released resin worsens the indoor climate and can even cause burns. To eliminate this drawback, you can sheathe the inner part of the wall of the lining of hardwood;
- Spruce. One of the most popular materials for assembling a set of a bath from a bar. Along with pine, it belongs to conifers, but it surpasses in thermal conductivity due to its higher air content and looks much more attractive. When assembling a log house, a massive foundation is not required, since the material is lightweight. Despite its lightness, the material is highly durable, and shrinkage deformation is negligible. Spruce promotes natural filtration in the room, which minimizes dampness inside the building. For a durable structure, choose the Carpathian spruce. It has excellent properties due to its growth in extreme high altitude conditions;
- Larch. The material belongs to the elite segment. In terms of strength, it is comparable to oak, and when exposed to moisture it becomes only stronger. Due to its high cost, larch for a bath is mainly used to decorate steam rooms, and not the entire room as a whole.
Building a wooden bath requires knowledge of many nuances. The slightest mistakes can lead to rapid decay of the material, uneven shrinkage and a violation of the indoor climate. As a result, your trip to the steam room will become a real hard labor, not a pleasure. To ensure yourself the most comfortable leisure and get a building for many years to come, we recommend buying a log sauna from a bar from Wonder Wood. Our specialists use only proven materials and give a guarantee for work. Construction is carried out according to ready-made design projects from the catalog or a new sketch, created taking into account all your wishes.
