Which bathhouse is better: timber or frame? Let's look at the pros and cons from all sides, compare timber and frame, which one to build

Several technologies are used to build a bathhouse: frame construction and timber construction.
The structures can be erected with your own hands, or carried out by a construction company. Which bathhouse is better and more practical to use? What is better to do: build it yourself, hire a team of carpenters, order turnkey construction? How much money will be required in this or that case? It is impossible to answer these questions unambiguously. It is important to think through many details, determine all the criteria and requirements that future owners have for the bathhouse, and take into account all the financial needs and capabilities of the client.

Frame bathhouse and its features

In deciding whether a frame or timber bath is better, consideration of the key features of each of them is not least important. The main criterion in this is the design differences. So, in the first version, the structure is a set of posts, beams and crossbars connected into a single architectural form.

The frame can have any base - metal, plastic, but often preference is given to wood - boards or bars. The skeleton of the structure is built on a primitive foundation. Then, depending on the required characteristics, it is sheathed on the outside and inside with sheet material - chipboard, plywood and others. If necessary, cavities formed in the walls are filled with inexpensive insulation, for example, polystyrene foam or mineral wool.

Start of construction of a frame bath Source pikabu.ru

The main advantages of such a structure include:

Speed and ease of construction without the use of complex equipment and special equipment.
Light weight and the ability to install without a foundation or with its basic modification.
There is no shrinkage of the walls, which allows for interior and exterior finishing immediately after construction.
Versatility in the choice of building materials.
A wide selection of design projects - by size, interior design, architecture, type of materials, facade.
Sufficient resistance and durability.

At the same time, the frame structure is not without its disadvantages:

The latest heat-insulating materials are quite expensive, despite the fact that the construction of the frame itself can be cheap.
In terms of composition, not all insulation materials are environmentally safe, especially under operating conditions at elevated temperatures and humidity.
The operation of a frame bath in winter is limited or requires significant modification. For use in severe frosts, the structure must be well insulated.

Important! When choosing insulation for a bath, preference should be given to non-flammable compounds. This is especially true in areas of increased fire danger - in places of contact with the chimney, next to the firebox, in the area of the stove.

Small frame bathhouse covered with boards Source okarkasnih.ru
See also: Projects of wooden and frame bathhouses

Advantages of a log steam room

A timber structure is a solid, dense structure that will last a very long time in any climatic conditions. Timber is a type of log used by ancestors in the construction of bathhouses.

Of course, lumber material is not cheap, but if you compare the costs with the irrefutable advantages of this material, it becomes clear that a real powerful wooden structure is more profitable than “liquid” prefabricated structures.

Advantages:

beautiful appearance that does not require extra costs for finishing work;
ease of installation - the timber masonry is equipped with grooves necessary for strong fastening;
speed of construction.

The material prevents the penetration of excess moisture into the holes between the beams, which guarantees the absence of rotting at elevated bath temperatures. A bathhouse made from solid wood compares favorably with competitive materials.

Timber is a lumber that is excellent for a bathhouse because it does not require additional finishing costs, is easy to install, prevents wood from rotting, and is quick to install and stable.

timber

Bathhouse made of timber - pros and cons

Undoubtedly, in deciding which bathhouse is better from timber or frame, from the point of view of traditions and classics, the first option wins. The structure is based on a log house. It is based on a foundation, strip or other type suitable for the terrain conditions. At the same time, modern technologies for the production of building materials allow the use of 4 main types of timber:

Standard.

It is characterized by low cost, but if not prepared correctly it can shrink, deform and crack, worsening the operational parameters of the structure.

Profiled.

It has a higher price, but makes it possible to create a log house with better strength than in the case described above.

Glued.

Quite an expensive option. Allows you to create a reliable, durable structure.

Combined.

It is characterized by aesthetics, durability and high thermal insulation parameters.

Bathhouse made of timber, attached to the house Source thewalls.ru

Owner reviews

The majority of 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 independently build a bathhouse. The simplicity and ease of construction are noted, which is not at all surprising, because the calibrated logs are conveniently adjusted to each other, facilitating the installation process.

Some bathhouse owners chose this particular material for its appearance and fairly inexpensive prices. The low cost of logs allows you to approach the design of a bathhouse on a grand scale.

There are reviews about the absence of heat loss in the steam room, which is important for a bathhouse. In addition, owners of saunas made from calibrated logs save on heating costs, since correctly fitted beams eliminate the possibility of blowing through the walls.

Many people worry that wooden baths are a fire hazard and are afraid to build buildings from finished logs. However, fears are completely unfounded, since modern methods of wood processing make it possible to achieve an excellent fire-resistant coating that well protects the walls of the building from fire.

Some owners complain about the long period of shrinkage of logs, which delays the construction process. It is worth noting that this is not entirely true, because the shrinkage period largely depends on the specialists who will be involved in the construction of the building. Properly fitted logs, a competent approach and the experience of the craftsmen will reduce the time to several months.

Criterias of choice

Which bathhouse is better to build, frame or timber - everyone decides for himself. However, there are rational selection criteria for each option.

A sauna on a frame is better suited in the following circumstances:

It is necessary to complete construction as quickly as possible.
When there is no time to wait for the material to shrink before finishing.
There is no need to create a permanent structure.
There is no possibility of attracting special equipment and complex equipment.
There are no conditions for the formation of a full-fledged foundation.

It is better to build a structure made of timber under the following conditions:

It is necessary to build a traditional Russian bathhouse in a classical design.
The steam room will be used for health and therapeutic procedures.
Lifting equipment and a construction team will be available during construction.
The supplier is ready to provide properly prepared and dried timber.
There is a time and place to build a solid foundation.
The finishing of the premises and façade can be completed by next season.

Advice! Before you decide what kind of bathhouse, frame or beam it will be, and begin its construction, you need to carefully consider the budget of the entire enterprise. As a rule, only a third of its volume is spent on the main material. The rest is spent on finishing, insulation and hiring a team with equipment.

Which one is easier to build?

A frame bathhouse is built faster and is easier to erect . Its design gives greater freedom for interior planning and finishing. This advantage is not the only advantage inherent in frame buildings.

The construction of a structure from a solid log is a more labor-intensive process , requiring significant effort and time.

Variety of architectural forms

Baths are usually built in a regular rectangular or square shape. For this form, it does not matter what technology was used to build the structure.

Photo from the website ]Modultron[/anchor]

If we are talking about building an original shape - polygonal, with curves, complex shapes, with decorative elements, it is better to give preference to frame technology.

Constructing buildings of unusual shapes from timber is much more difficult and expensive.

Possible defects

If all stages of construction are carried out in compliance with technology, no defects should appear. The table below shows possible defects and ways to prevent or eliminate them.

timber	Frame
In a timber building, cold can come from cracks at the joints of the crowns. They appear when insulation is of poor quality, or if the lumber initially had high humidity and decreased in size as it evaporated.	When constructing walls, cavities (cold bridges) may form. In a frame building, cold bridges can run across the entire thickness of the wall. To cover them, an additional layer of insulation is applied.
Solid lumber can dry out over time. Cracks appear on it. If treated incorrectly or untimely, bugs may appear in the tree structure.	If the insulation was installed incorrectly and not hermetically sealed, the vapor barrier was damaged and the material began to get wet, and the room would begin to rot from the inside. To avoid such problems, you need to properly arrange the ventilation system and use only high-quality materials for insulation.

Important!

Correcting defects in the walls of a frame bath requires opening the structure and removing the finishing. This is quite an expensive process!

Errors in construction

The construction team will quickly determine what the bathhouse, timber or frame should be like - what is best to offer to the customer, based on his requirements, suggestions, features and terrain conditions. However, to avoid common mistakes, professionals should consider the following number of factors:

Wood harvesting time. Only winter wood contains a minimum of moisture and does not crack.
The type of material used in construction - when is it better to use traditional, and in which case the newest.
Features of the terrain. The appropriate type of foundation and, accordingly, the possibility of constructing a suitable bathhouse option will depend on this.
Operating time: seasonal, all year round.
Financial capabilities of the customer.

Which one is more environmentally friendly?

A bathhouse made from natural logs is always more environmentally friendly. It has a characteristic smell of fresh wood. It's a pleasure to be in it. She “soars and gives health.”

The frame is insulated with insulation containing various artificial materials. Only its supporting structure, the frame itself, will be environmentally friendly.

Glued laminated timber contains chemicals. Obviously, a building made from natural lumber meets these parameters best.

Briefly about the main thing

When deciding what kind of bathhouse should be - made of timber or frame, what to choose so as not to go beyond the budget and not infringe on personal preferences, it is necessary to take into account the following series of criteria:

Estimated amount of expenditure.
When will the operation take place - in summer or winter.
What are the terrain conditions?
What are the parameters of the future construction - dimensions, arrangement, design.
When will construction be completed and operation begin?

Frame baths are built easier, cheaper and faster, but safe, good insulation can cost a hefty sum. An analogue made of timber takes longer to build, but it does not require insulation, and it can do without finishing. A favorable healing microclimate is created inside such a bath.

Ratings 0

Read later

Which one is warmer?

A properly insulated frame bathhouse warms up well. Panels laminated with foil on one side retain heat well. The doors to the steam room need to be vapor-proofed, and the front door also needs to be waterproofed. The greatest attention is paid to the insulation of the steam room.

However, the frame cannot accumulate heat; it is not heat-intensive, unlike timber. If you stop heating such a bathhouse, the room will quickly cool down. On the other hand, due to the same heat capacity, it will take more time and fuel to warm up the frozen timber.

Important!

During the cold season, the performance characteristics of baths are significantly reduced: the room cools very quickly.

Good quality timber is able to maintain high indoor temperatures for a long time. If its quality does not meet the standards, cracks and crevices will gradually appear inside, through which cold air will enter the room. The defect can be eliminated by re-caulking.

Windows can be installed to ventilate the room. The main thing is that they are small and not located too high from the floor, so that warm air does not escape through them.

Beautiful examples

A sauna with a swimming pool inside will be a great place to relax at any time of the year. To make your vacation comfortable and enjoyable, you should take care of installing high-quality waterproofing, cleaning, and heating systems. The shape of the pool can be any: 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. An eco-style terrace, complemented by vintage lamps, will become a favorite relaxation spot. In addition, this is where you can place a barbecue or grill.

For a review of a sauna made from rounded logs, see the video below.