Do-it-yourself sauna shelves: step-by-step instructions for assembly and installation

Sauna shelves and benches are a necessary attribute of every steam room. The key characteristic of this type of furniture is maximum functionality. Natural wood is traditionally used for the manufacture of such structures. If necessary, you can assemble them yourself. However, for this you need to familiarize yourself with some rules and step-by-step instructions that allow you to do all the work correctly.

Convenient shelves for a bath can be done independently, if you adhere to the basic rules

What should be a shelf for a bath: design features

Most often, you can find two-tier structures in the baths. In this case, maximum functionality is achieved with a minimum area required for arranging the shelf. Typically, the lower tier is used for sitting and the upper tier for lying. This design must be done correctly. A small difficulty lies in the fact that the width of the second floor must be sufficient to comfortably lie on it.

A comfortable stay in the steam room of a bathhouse largely depends not only on the microclimate, but also on the quality and convenience of the shelves located

One of the most important criteria is the thickness of the structural components of the canopy - lag. The cost of the material depends on this indicator. The pattern in this case is as follows: the thicker the logs, the more expensive they are. However, it is not recommended to purchase too thin products, since they will sag under human weight.

Helpful information! To save money on the construction of a sauna shelf, it is recommended to place separate logs at a short distance from each other.

Before assembling bathroom furniture, you need to decide on its dimensions. The steam room shelf can be of various sizes and shapes. However, there are traditional, most common dimensions. In accordance with this standard, the total height of the structure should be 70 cm.The distribution of sizes between the floors is as follows: for 1 tier - 40, and for the top - 30 cm.

The distance between lags is a mandatory rule that should be strictly adhered to. However, do not make the distance too large. If necessary, these products can be made independently, but for this you need to have at least minimal skills in wood processing.

It is advisable to leave a distance between the shelf and the ceiling of the steam room, in this case you can not only lie on it, but also sit comfortably

Before starting the assembly of the bath shelf, you should prepare materials, tools and make a drawing, according to which all subsequent work will be carried out. It is necessary to approach its creation with all seriousness, since inaccuracies in the drawing will lead to installation errors.

Consider the number of people for whom the steam room was conceived. The size of the room also plays an important role, so it is worth focusing on them. As for the choice of location, it is not recommended to place shelves near the window opening. As a rule, this structure is placed along one of the blank walls, complementing the interior with benches.

What material is the best to make a shelf for a bath?

Many people advise using leafy material for this purpose. The reason for this choice is quite simple to explain: coniferous boards at high temperatures emit resin, which, when heated, can not only stain the body, but also cause burns.

Experts recommend choosing boards made of a material that has low thermal conductivity. Such wood has a heating limit. If the boards are not very hot, then you can sit and lie on them without discomfort. Consider what types of wood are most often used to make a shelf in a bath with your own hands.

The work should start by choosing wood for the shelf.

Aspen. Aspen is a deciduous tree species. This material is common, so it is not difficult to find and buy it. Many people note the healing properties of such boards. Among the technical characteristics of such a material, such as strength, resistance to decay and a long service life are noted.

Linden. Boards made of this tree are considered the best in terms of price-quality ratio. Another advantage of linden products is that they have low thermal conductivity and presentable appearance. A shelf made of lime planks is aesthetically pleasing and pleasing to the eye.

Products made from such material are easy to process, so it is recommended to buy them for people who had no previous experience in working with wood. It is easier to make a linden shelf in a bath with your own hands than a structure made of another material. When heated, linden boards give off a very light and pleasant woody scent that has a calming effect. In addition, they are easy to clean. Of the minuses of this material, it can be noted that it darkens over time. However, this does not in any way affect the performance of the tree.

Maple. Many experts note that this tree species is a good alternative to linden planks. Products made from this material are more durable, so they practically do not deform over time. Like lime planks, maple wood elements are great for organizing a shelf.

It is recommended to use hardwood for the manufacture of shelves and benches

Poplar. Such material is distinguished by its whitish shade and is easy to process. For beginners, this is one of the best options, but products made from this tree are not strong enough. Therefore, it is recommended to use poplar for the manufacture of decorative elements of the shelf.

Note! When choosing a material for a bath shelf, you must remember that the tree must meet the operational requirements.

Abashi (African oak). Often bath furniture is made of this material.African oak is also suitable for the bench in the sauna. This material is highly resistant to moisture and high temperatures. In addition, African oak boards have low thermal conductivity, which contributes to the ease of use of furniture.

The surface of products made from such wood is very even, and its structure is favorable for fast drying. Many experts put this material in first place in the ratings of the most suitable tree species for the shelf.

It is important to choose wood that is resistant to high temperatures and moisture, in this case the shelves can serve for many years

Alder. Strong and reliable material with high resistance to deformation. The thermal conductivity of alder boards is one of the lowest, so this wood is an excellent solution for bathroom furniture.

The choice of this or that material depends on several factors. First of all, this is the financial component. Besides, bath furniture should tolerate high temperatures and high humidity well, and be durable and comfortable. Individual preferences play a large role in the choice of material for the shelf and benches.

Information about the material and the number of boards is recorded in a self-made diagram. How to make a shelf in a bath is a question that many people ask. The answer to it can be obtained by studying the types of bath benches, their features and assembly instructions.

Varieties of shelves in the steam room: common design options

There are several types of sauna shelves, which differ from each other in their design features. The expediency of one form or another, as well as the number of tiers, is determined depending on the size of the bath room and its features. This publication contains information on the most common types of canopy.

For a steam bath, complex tiered structures in three steps are often chosen

Stepped designs. Today, this variant of the arrangement of the shelves is the most popular. In this case, they are installed along one of the walls (without a window) in two or three tiers. The convenience of this design is to increase the degree of heating from the lower floor to the upper one.

It is important to remember that the upper tier of the stepped shelf in the sauna in the steam room must be installed above the line of the boiler used to heat the room. In this case, the distance from the upper floor to the ceiling should be at least 120 cm. This is necessary in order to ensure maximum comfort for a person while sitting on such a structure. The same rule exists in the case when a traditional stove is installed in the steam room.

Corner (in the form of the letter "L") canopies. A less popular option than the previous one, but it is also very often used when organizing an interior in a steam room. It is understood that one side of the structure will be parallel to the boiler, and the other will be adjacent to one of the free walls.

Wooden shelves in the shape of the letter "L" are located on one side opposite the heating furnace, and the other - on one of the free walls

The height of the corner structure can be different. This parameter is selected depending on the individual characteristics of the room. Experts advise installing corner shelves in the case when the room is small, since they are as functional as possible and it is not very difficult to do them with your own hands. The canopy in this type of bath is best collected from solid wood.

Coupe canopies. This design is quite rare, but the idea itself is interesting and original. It is suitable for small spaces where it is necessary to save space. In this case, the two shelves are placed parallel to each other.Such a structure is very similar to compartment rooms in trains (hence the name).

The upper shelves can be made in such a way that they fold back. The frame structure for such a canopy is made, as a rule, from support posts. These elements, similar to the legs of a bench, are joined together by wooden lintels.

Helpful information! If necessary, the shelves can be fixed to the wall without using the legs. However, such a device requires competent load balancing.

The composition of the canopy compartment is spatially extremely beneficial for small bath rooms

In order to choose a design suitable for your situation, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the photo of the shelves in the bath. This will allow you to visually assess the benefits of a particular option.

For sheathing the frame, it is necessary to select even and smooth boards from any suitable material. The main thing is that the wood is moisture resistant, durable and can withstand high temperatures. The distance between the boards should not be less than one centimeter. The maximum recommended distance is 2 cm.

Calculating the size of the shelf in the bath: recommendations

The first thing to do before installing the shelf is to calculate its dimensions. It is worth choosing the shape and number of storeys of the wooden structure so that it fits into the interior of the steam room as competently and concisely as possible. It is also important to remember that the structure should not act to the detriment of the overall functionality of the premises.

The classic version for a Russian bath is a one-story shelf located along one of the walls. Multilevel designs are more often used in foreign saunas, as this allows you to steam while sitting. In any case, each of the above options has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Bath shelf drawing

Before you make the shelves in the bath with your own hands, you will need to calculate their height, width and length. Several factors influence the choice of the height of the structure. The first thing to think about is convenience. The height of the shelf should be such that a person feels comfortable. The standard for this indicator is 70 cm. It is not recommended to place the structure at a distance exceeding 90 cm from the floor.

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The location of the shelf should be such that it would be convenient for the bather to take water procedures both sitting and lying down. The distance from the canopy to the ceiling should be at least 120 and not more than 150 cm. The dimensions of the shelf in the bath can differ from the standard only if this is a justified decision. For example, often in small steam rooms there is simply not enough space to organize a classic design.

The most popular bench seat size is 60 cm, this width allows you to sit comfortably in the bath

Another important indicator that requires careful calculation is the length of the structure. To ensure comfort while taking bath procedures, you need to assemble a shelf on which you could lie at full height. This design maximizes the relaxation of the bather. The most common size of the shelf in a steam room is 2.2 m (in length). As for the width, traditionally it should not exceed 1 m.

If the bath area is large, then it becomes possible to expand the structure 2 times. As a result, such a canopy can be designed for two people. However, before increasing the width, it is still recommended to make sure that such a structure will not interfere with people taking water procedures.

Baths, which are small in size, are most often equipped with compartment curtains.When choosing dimensions for this design, it is necessary to take into account not only the anthropometric data of a person, but also the number of people.

Bath shelf: design features

Assembling and installing a canopy is a serious task that requires not only calculation, but also compliance with some nuances and rules. For example, the best option is to build an open shelf at the bottom. This ensures the ventilation of the wood and its accelerated drying. The practicality of this design lies in the fact that during cleaning in the room, nothing will interfere with washing the floors.

It is preferable to mount structures open at the bottom so that they are well ventilated.

Another nuance of installing the shelf is that it is better to place it at a slight slope. This measure does not allow water to be retained and promotes rapid drying of the surface of the wooden boards. The sizes of the shelves in the bath can be different, but it is recommended to adhere to the accepted standards.

One of the most common problems associated with the use of bathroom furniture is the occurrence of fungus on it. In order to protect the structure from rotting, you should install special rubber pads. These elements can be made of polymer material. They are installed in the space between the floor and the vertical support bars.

A design of this type should not only be comfortable and functional, but also have a presentable appearance. All corners must be rounded to avoid injury. It is also very important that the surface of the wood is smooth, without knots and cracks. All individual structural elements must be mounted in such a way as to exclude gaps between them, due to which the canopy will creak and stagger. The height of the shelf in the bath must meet the general standards and needs of the owners.

The bath shelf should look aesthetically pleasing, have a smooth surface and rounded corners of the boards

Helpful information! When choosing boards, one important rule must be taken into account: the indicator of their width should be 4 times the thickness. A board corresponding to such geometric parameters is the optimal solution for a bath. It dries very quickly, which prevents the occurrence of fungus.

Before you start assembling the shelf, you need to choose one of several methods of fixing the boards to the frame. It is important to remember that metal elements in the structure should in no case be located in places with which the body can come into contact. Therefore, it is best to screw self-tapping screws in such a way that their caps are located on the inside of the canopy. Otherwise, you can get a painful burn.

If necessary, you can buy shelves for the bath and pay to the master who will install it. However, the financial costs in this case will greatly increase. The canopy design itself is quite simple if we consider the standard model, so it is better to assemble and fix it on the wall yourself.

For maximum convenience, you can add a comfortable backrest. For these purposes, you should prepare several smooth boards and fix them on the slats fixed to the wall. The distance between them should be at least 5 cm to ensure proper ventilation. In addition to the backrest, you can make your own leg supports. All additional structural elements are usually made of the same wood from which the shelves are made.

To make the benches in the bath as comfortable as possible, the structure can be supplemented with comfortable backrests

Multi-stage bath shelves: should you make them?

The expediency of organizing a structure, which includes two or three tiers, is primarily determined by physical laws. When the room warms up, hot air rises, and in the floor area the temperature rises, but not so much.In the case of installing a multi-stage structure, it becomes possible to select the required temperature regime.

It is not so difficult to make a shelf in a bath with your own hands, however, the construction of a multi-stage canopy takes more time. Of course, everyone independently determines the need for a two-tier or three-tier structure. If the bath will be used only by households, then simple one-story canopies can be made, supplementing them with benches.

In small saunas, which suffer from a lack of usable space, the lower floor may be located slightly above the floor level. But in this case, there are also some advantages. For example, this structure is well ventilated, which contributes to the quick drying of the boards.

Arranging the shelves one above the other allows the bath visitors to independently select the most suitable temperature for them

Experts recommend taking into account when drawing up the drawing of the shelf in the bath, that the upper floor should be wider than the lower tier. In the case of a competent distribution of dimensions, it becomes possible to use the second floor as a couch.

How to make a shelf in the bath with your own hands: seat selection

After choosing a type of design, as well as calculating its dimensions, it is necessary to correctly choose the place in which it will be located. This decision is influenced by the type of bath. For example, it is customary to perform water procedures in the Russian steam room while lying down. In turn, the Finnish sauna presupposes the presence of places that are made as comfortable as possible for a sitting position.

In the preliminary drawing, it is necessary to indicate the dimensions of the room, as well as its features. The scheme must contain door and window openings, and also mark the place where the boiler and any other equipment is located. Based on this drawing, you can determine the most suitable space for installing a shelf in the bath with your own hands. Photos of finished premises will help to visually assess the advantages of one or another option for the location of this structure.

Note! It is not recommended to install canopies under window openings. This is due to safety rules, as the glass may not withstand high temperatures and burst. As a result, the debris can harm people relaxing inside the steam room.

Before you mount the shelves in the bath, you need to create a drawing

Depending on the individual conditions in the bath and the preferences of the owners, the canopy is installed on the base (legs) or it is fixed directly to the wall. It should be noted that the shelves should not be close to the walls, as this negatively affects the circulation of air flows. The recommended distance between the joists and the wall is 10 cm. The slats are fixed to the surface, which will serve as the basis for the vertical structural elements.

To make a shelf in the bath with your own hands, you should purchase material suitable for this purpose in advance, as well as prepare tools. When fixing individual structural elements with self-tapping screws, it is necessary to screw them into the wood in such a way that it is impossible to injure yourself in the future.

When placing the canopy, it is also necessary to take into account the distance to the doorway so that it does not interfere with the free entrance and exit. This structure should be located away from the boiler and not impede free movement around the room. Guided by the above rules, it will not be difficult to correctly choose a place for the bath shelf.

The shelves in the steam room should be located so that they do not interfere with the free entrance and exit.

Do-it-yourself sauna shelf: methods of fixing boards

The strength of the structure, as well as its durability, depends on the method of fixing the boards. Today, there are three main options for fixing these products, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages:

• by means of self-tapping screws that are sunk into the wood;
• self-tapping screws from the outside;
• oak wedges.

The first method is the most common. It is this option that is most often used when constructing a bench for a bath with your own hands. In order to sheathe the frame with boards, self-tapping screws are used, which must be driven as deep as possible into the wood. They can also be used to fasten boards from the outside, but this method is not as popular as the first.

And finally, the third way is to use oak wedges. This method is recommended by experts as it is the most environmentally friendly. The technology of this method involves the organization of special holes into which oak wedges are driven.

The easiest and fastest way to attach boards to the frame is to deeply embed the caps of the screws into the wood

The fixing of the back boards is done in the same way as the sheathing for the shelf. The only difference in this case is the wider gap between the individual elements. A photo of a shelf for a bath will allow you to quickly figure out how to attach the sheathing to the frame. It will not be superfluous to watch several videos on this topic, which clearly explain all the nuances of the installation.

How to make a shelf in a bath with your own hands: a step-by-step guide

In order to make the shelves, you need to make a drawing. If necessary, you can use a ready-made scheme, but it should fit your conditions. Therefore, you need to be very careful when choosing a circuit. Further work is carried out in accordance with the step-by-step guide. You can assemble shelves in the bath with your own hands only if you have the right material. To install the canopy in the steam room, you will need the following tools:

• an ordinary hammer;
• construction mallet;
• screwdriver;
• hacksaw (for metal);
• chisel;
• yardstick;
• self-tapping screws.

Drawing up a scheme for installing shelves in a bath is an important and responsible process

Helpful information! Fixing the skin to the frame can be done in a non-standard way, which involves the use of wooden wedges. However, in this case, some carpentry skills and the ability to make an accurate calculation are required.

In order to answer the question of how to make a canopy in a bath, you need to carefully follow the instructions. Any deviations from the general algorithm of actions can lead to installation errors. First you need to determine the location of the supporting elements. This parameter is calculated taking into account their thickness. For example, products with a thickness of 22 cm must be installed at a distance of 60 cm from each other. This will optimally distribute the load.

A drawing of a shelf in a bathhouse with your own hands, drawn up earlier, should contain information on the geometric parameters of the parts and their quantity. All of them must comply with certain standards, namely: not have any signs of decay, be smooth, do not contain cracks and knots.

The thickness of the boards that will be used for sheathing the frame may vary. When choosing this indicator, you should pay attention to the width of the product. The larger it is, the thicker the board will be required, since wide and thin boards may not support human weight. The optimal ratio of width to thickness is 4: 1.

Thoroughly sanded boards are used for flooring the shelves.

How to make a shelf in a bath: making the frame and fixing it

The frame is the basis of the entire structure, therefore, careful calculations should be carried out before assembling it. During its installation, you must be careful and try to avoid mistakes. From the outside, the frame resembles the supporting structure of an ordinary bench.

To install the base, you need to purchase wooden blocks that correspond to the future dimensions of the shelf in the bath. A photo of this design can be easily found on the Internet.The most common bars with dimensions of 50 by 70 mm. The number of such elements, as a rule, is 10 pcs. To give the structure the required stiffness indicator, you will need to prepare 5 boards that will be used as racks.

The support posts are joined together by means of transverse wooden products. They are called lintels and are used to give the structure sufficient strength. If you do all the work correctly, the result will be a reliable supporting structure that will last for many years.

When fixing the shelf to the wall, it is necessary to ensure the flow of air, leaving a small gap of 10 cm between them.It should be noted that first of all, the frame for the upper tier should be assembled (if a two-story structure is assumed). Then the bearing racks are fixed to the wall. The step between them varies depending on the dimensions of the structure and can be from 60 to 85 cm.

For the frame, two load-bearing beams are used, which are installed along the width of the shelves in the steam room and connected with transverse beams

Thus, the initial stage of fixing the bench in the bath is carried out. It is not so difficult to perform the above operation with your own hands, however, you need to calculate everything in advance and from time to time check the work with the diagram prepared before starting the installation.

At the next stage, it is necessary to make a depression (step) in the bar, which will be needed to organize the fastening. Fixation in this case is performed using the "lock" technique. Then, on the side opposite the supports, a second row of racks is mounted. After that, you need to combine their upper ends by means of a cross bar. In order to strengthen the strength of the structure, it is recommended to use metal corners.

Helpful information! It is advisable to prepare the building level in order to make exactly the shelves in the bath with your own hands. A step-by-step guide, drawings and dimensions, as well as expert advice will help you assemble a reliable and durable wood structure.

Next, the bearing supports are sheathed with wooden boards. All subsequent levels are mounted in the same way. As a flooring, experts advise taking thin and narrow logs. A structure made of such elements will be well ventilated and dry quickly, which will increase its operational life and protect the shelves from decay.

For the flooring, thin narrow boards are usually taken, this will provide them with the possibility of quick drying after using the steam room.

How to make a shelf in a bath: covering the frame with boards

In order for a self-made bathhouse to be more stable, it is recommended to use rubber gaskets. These elements are located at the bottom of each bar. The next step is very important, as it includes covering the base of the structure with wooden planks.

How to make a shelf in a bath? For sheathing, you will need to prepare boards from a moisture-resistant material. Fixation of lags is done first on the first floor, and only then on the second. If the design is single-tier, then the work is greatly simplified. The gap between the individual boards must be at least 1 cm. The maximum distance between the joists is 2 cm.

The most preferred way to fix individual planks to the skeleton of the structure is to use only wooden tools. However, such an installation cannot always be carried out, therefore, most often the lags are fixed by means of ordinary self-tapping screws. Since they are made from metal, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of their contact with the bather's skin. Therefore, they are either sunk deep into the board, or screwed in from the inside.

It would be preferable to fill and fix the boards to the frame with wooden nails or pins

In the photo, the shelves in the bath can be sheathed from below.In this case, the boards are fixed so as to close the gap between the seat and the floor. The need for such a solution is determined depending on the individual preferences of the owners of the bath. Such cladding looks presentable, but it makes it difficult to clean the room and prevents the free movement of air masses. And also in this case, you will not be able to remove your legs under the bench.

How to make a shelf in a bath: protective treatment

At the last stage, you will need to process the shelf with a protective composition. This procedure is aimed at improving the technical characteristics of wood, which will extend the operational life of the structure as a whole. Most people believe that traditional bathroom furniture does not need additional processing, as it is very reliable in itself. In principle, this statement is true, but only if the structure is well ventilated.

If you are not sure that a sufficient amount of air is supplied to the shelves, then it is best to play it safe and use a special composition. First, an antiseptic must be applied to the benches, which must penetrate the structure of the tree. It should be noted that this procedure can be done before installing the canopy. It is recommended to process bath shelves purchased at retail outlets. You can buy a protective compound in any specialized store or order it online.

Very few tools are required to process boards

Note! An antiseptic will protect the wood from fungus or mold. Rotting bathroom furniture is a problem faced by most steam room owners. In addition to special preparations, there are budget impregnation options. For example, the most readily available of these is regular flaxseed oil.

Today, compounds are common that have antiseptic properties and at the same time protect wood from moisture, soaking it through and through. Bleaching agents, which are used in the case of wood darkening, also have certain protective properties and increase the resistance of the board to temperature. Some compounds are made specifically for saunas, so it is recommended to clarify their purpose before purchasing.

The task of choosing an impregnation is no less important than the answer to the question of how to make a shelf in a bath. It is important to remember that you should never use varnish or other chemicals that are not suitable for steam rooms for such furniture.

When using water-soluble impregnation, treatment will have to be carried out more often.

It is also strictly forbidden to paint the curtain with paint. This is due to the fact that the above substances are not resistant to high temperatures and humidity. When exposed to them, paint or varnish will begin to release chemical compounds hazardous to human health.

Before applying a protective compound to the boards in the flooring, they must be prepared. The preliminary stage is to process the wood with sandpaper. After that, you need to remove the dust remaining after grinding, and apply the desired composition to the cleaned surface.

Tips for caring for your sauna shelf

In order for bathroom furniture to serve for many years, it is necessary to study some recommendations for caring for it. The basic rule to remember: after each session in the steam room, the room must be ventilated. This procedure will allow you to quickly remove excess moisture from the room. Sometimes a bath oven is used for drying, which is turned on for a while after the bath procedures.

A bathhouse is a room where sanitary and hygienic procedures are carried out. Therefore, the cleanliness in the steam room should be monitored as carefully as in the bathroom. Regular cleaning helps to eliminate the accumulation of dirt and the growth of bacteria on the shelves in the steam room.

Note! When drying the room, you must leave all open doors and windows, and the containers located inside the steam room, on the contrary, need to be closed.

The most important rule is mandatory drying and ventilation of the room after each session in the steam room.

After each procedure, it is recommended to wipe all surfaces using a dry towel. Such a measure will significantly speed up the drying process of wooden boards. It is worth remembering that natural materials cannot be treated with cleaning agents containing active chemical compounds. The best option in this case would be to use laundry soap.

Self-assembly of bathroom furniture requires careful preparation. Before starting work, you will need to complete a drawing that includes all the necessary dimensions and data about the room and the structure of the shelf itself. If you are not confident in your own abilities, you can always use the services of specialists. After installation, do not forget that bathroom furniture needs special care.