Important nuances when building a hammam with your own hands. Construction of a Turkish bath (Hamam) Do-it-yourself Turkish bath in an apartment

A Turkish bath is not just a place where you can wash yourself. This is a palace of cleanliness for pleasant relaxation and recuperation. In recent years, there has been a passion for building Turkish baths in country houses and even apartments. Many people want to reproduce a piece of Turkey at home as a keepsake of the beautiful country.

The possibilities for building a hammam are unlimited: any building materials, decorative elements and oriental interiors, equipment for heating and steam supply, all of this is available for sale in a huge assortment. The lack of a large room is also not a problem; even a small shower room can be equipped into a cozy “bathroom”.

What is hamam

Turkish baths trace their centuries-old history back to the ancient Roman baths - thermal baths. The Turkish bath has a beneficial healing effect on the human body. A distinctive feature of the Turkish bath is that the container with boiling water is located in a separate room, and the steam enters the steam room through special outlets.

In addition to the steam room and technical block, the Turkish bath has a relaxation room. Hamam differs from other types of baths: Russian, Japanese and Finnish saunas in its mild microclimate: comfortable temperature, high humidity.

In the Turkish bath, a gentle massage with soap foam is used and there are no stressful procedures such as contrast dousing, patting with brooms, or hot steam. Thanks to its mild, delicate action, the hammam bath can be used by people with diseases of the cardiovascular system.

The whole environment in the hammam: the design of the rooms, heated floors and sun loungers, the supply of warm steam with aromatic oils, diffused light, helps to create an unusually pleasant atmosphere of relaxing rest.

How does a classic hammam work?

The classic oriental bathhouse consists of several rooms arranged in radials around the central hall. In the main hall there is a chair or table for massage - gebek. The adjacent rooms contain: a locker room, technical equipment with a steam generator, steam rooms and a relaxation room.

In a traditional Turkish bath, as a rule, there are several paired compartments with varying degrees of heating, so that visitors can choose a comfortable temperature regime for themselves. The principle of the design and operation of a Turkish bath is quite simple: heat emanates from the surrounding surfaces of the walls, floor and benches and soft, moist steam with aromas is supplied.

The classic hammam has three pools. The first pool is filled with warm water, the second with neutral water and the third with cold water.

Turkish baths are distinguished by rich decoration in oriental style: walls and floors made of marble, massage tables and sun loungers, qurnas (washbasins without drainage), fountains, all kinds of marble and mosaic panels, spectacular lighting in the form of twinkling stars.

Hamam bath ceremony

The Turkish bath consists of three halls. The first room, the Jamekian, serves as a locker room. In the dressing room, the body is preheated and prepared for further procedures; the air temperature here is maintained at 30 - 35 degrees Celsius.

The next step in the bath ceremony is the “hararet” steam room. Steam is thrown into the hammam's steam room at a temperature of approximately 45 degrees. The saturation of the air with steam is such that nothing is visible at a distance of more than one meter.

The steam room provides procedures for cleansing and renewing the skin: peeling and soap massage.

The procedures alternate with water washes. For a more pronounced effect, steam is saturated with essential oils.

The shape of the hammam bathhouse is similar to a hand: a round platform with a massage table in the center, a chebek-tashi, resembles a palm, and paired niches resemble fingers. Each bath niche creates high humidity and different temperatures - from 70 to 100 degrees.

Lastly, they go to the rest room, “soguklyuk,” where you can lie down, relax, and drink tea.

The healing properties of the Turkish bath

Enlarges pores, improves skin breathing, cleanses, moisturizes and rejuvenates.
Cleansing the body of toxins and harmful substances.
Muscle relaxation and recuperation.
Normalization of the respiratory system, prevention and treatment of colds.
Analgesic effect.
Relieving stress, improving sleep.
Improved digestion.
Reducing excess weight.
Getting rid of cellulite.

How to build a hammam yourself

A Turkish hammam is a wonderful addition to your home that you can build with your own hands in 1-3 months. The main condition when creating a hammam is to take into account the features of a Turkish bath. The hammam differs from our traditional Russian bathhouse not only in its design in an oriental style, but also in the method of heating and supplying steam.

The vat with boiling water is located in a separate room, and the steam flows through special outlets into the steam compartment.

To obtain the moist, soft and warm steam for which the hammam is so famous, it is important to avoid mistakes at the design stage and correctly select the necessary materials and equipment. Modern Turkish baths are certainly different from their ancient predecessors thanks to the use of modern building materials and automated equipment.

But the general principles of the hamam structure remain the same. Not everyone has the desire or time to go to a public bath. And not everyone has the opportunity to allocate a large area for the construction of a classic hammam with many separate rooms. To do this, it would be necessary to erect an entire building with various communications and special conditions for thermal and waterproofing.

A simpler, budget option is also possible using inexpensive building materials that imitate marble, affordable bath accessories, and the necessary set of equipment. As a rule, private Turkish baths consist of 2-3 rooms. Many homeowners want to have their own hammam-style steam room in their own home, albeit small.

If you have construction and technical skills, and are not intimidated by the prospect of becoming a builder, plumber, electrician and designer at the same time, then you can build a hammam of a simple design yourself.

Choosing a place to build a hammam

The construction of a hammam begins with choosing a location. The big advantage of a Turkish bath is that there is no need for a separate building. Buildings of any type are suitable for placing a Turkish bath: cottages, apartments, health centers, provided that the technical requirements are met: water supply and sewerage, electricity and ventilation.

You should know that you will have to arrange two rooms. An economical option for a hammam is a steam room and a utility room. A more comfortable hammam - with an additional relaxation room. At the same time, there is no need to allocate significant areas for a bath, so a Turkish hammam can be successfully built even in a small apartment.

In one room of the hammam there is the bathhouse itself, in the other there is a technical unit with the necessary equipment: an aroma generator, a cleaning filter, a steam generator for Turkish baths, a light projector, an internal heating system for the surface of the steam room - the floor, beds and walls, an independent electrical panel.

The size and shape of the steam room are completely determined by the preferences of the owner. Even a tiny storage room can be used as a technical compartment.

The area of the utility room is approximately 1m2. It is advisable that the technical room is located close to the main room. If this is not possible, then no further than 15 meters. When choosing a place for arranging a Turkish bath, you should take into account the fact that after finishing work the internal dimensions of the room will decrease by 15 cm.

What materials are needed to build a hammam?

Construction stores offer a wide selection of special materials for creating a hammam. Unlike a Russian bath, a Turkish hammam never uses wood, only stone and metal.

General requirements for materials for a Turkish bath: high structural strength, heat and moisture resistance.

Natural marble

Marble is considered the ideal choice for finishing a hammam. Since ancient times, natural marble has been the main material for cladding walls and beds.

It is pleasant to the touch, retains heat for a long time, reduces sudden temperature changes, is durable, and emphasizes the status of the home owner. The only drawback is the high cost. Soapstone chlorite is considered comparable in price, but superior in heat capacity. An excellent replacement for expensive natural stone is glass mosaic and ceramic tiles.

Smalt

Smalt is often used to decorate hammam. This is a small multi-colored glass mosaic of more than 80 shades, which makes up beautiful and original paintings with oriental ornaments. It is very decorative, has the property of internal glow, and creates a shimmer of color.

Smalt is produced in the form of plates or tiles of different sizes from 1cm2 to 5cm2. It can be rough, transparent, smooth and matte.

Smalt is laid on both flat and curved surfaces. Smalt is a dense, non-porous material with almost zero water absorption. It is frost-resistant and heat-resistant. Italian smalt made from Venetian glass is especially famous.

Laying out patterns with smalt is quite painstaking work, but the result is worth it. In addition, modern materials now exist in the form of ready-made mosaic panels, which greatly facilitates such finishing.

Ceramic tile

Ceramic tiles are the most affordable and easy-to-work finishing material for Turkish baths. Currently, tiles successfully compete with other materials for hammam, providing an alternative to marble and smalt. Ceramic tiles are a common material; many people know how to lay them. A wide variety of decor and tile sizes allows you to create a very beautiful interior, get the most intricate shapes and makes it possible to build an inexpensive and perfectly functioning Turkish hammam with your own hands.

How finishing work is performed

The construction of a Turkish hammam requires particularly careful finishing, which must meet the main requirements - high-quality thermal insulation and waterproofing of the room.

List of construction works:

installation of thermal insulation;
installation of waterproofing;
laying reflective vapor barrier;
conducting all communications;
finishing with plaster and laying screed;
final waterproofing;
covering floors, walls, tables and sunbeds with ceramic tiles, mosaics, marble and other materials.

During construction work in the hammam, the thickness of the walls and floor finishing is approximately 70 - 100 mm due to laying insulation, installing reflective thermal insulation, waterproofing surfaces, installing a water or electric heating system, applying a layer of leveling plaster or screed, finishing waterproofing, finishing with facing materials.

The order of finishing work

The finishing of the hammam room begins with the application of a plaster layer in order to provide additional waterproofing. Next, thermal insulation is carried out: they are covered with a special adhesive-based insulation. Then a reinforcement frame is installed, to which the road and plaster mesh is attached at a certain interval. The frame is used to install a heating system for walls, floors and beds.

Another method of constructing a Turkish bath has been developed, in which the load-bearing frame is made of special rigid foam polystyrene panels. Now this is a very popular material for the construction of hammam. High-strength polystyrene is used, its density is comparable to wood. The shapes and methods of using such panels are very diverse. Not only the walls of the hammam are made from this material, but also curved sunbeds and a ceiling dome, fonts, cornices, pallets and even columns and podiums are cut out. Foamed polystyrene is an environmentally friendly material with a long service life.

Such panels create complete sound, hydro and thermal insulation of the steam room and do not require additional processing. When finishing a steam room with foam panels, the air warms up faster, the load on the floors is reduced, the construction time for the hammam is significantly reduced, but financial costs increase.

This technology uses foreign-made materials: Wedi, Doit, LuxElement panels. A thermal circuit made of plastic pipes and then a steel mesh are installed on top of the foamed polystyrene panels. Next, a layer of plaster is applied to finish the room.

What should the floor be like in a Turkish bath?

The floor in the hammam bath must be equipped with a heating system and a slight slope must be maintained for reliable water drainage.

A shut-off device is installed in the drain drain, which prevents the penetration of unpleasant odors from the sewer system. The floor in a Turkish bath consists of two layers of cement-sand screed with waterproofing between them. The final floor covering is made of marble or ceramic tiles, smalt.

Features of the ceiling in a Turkish bath

The ceiling of a steam room in a hammam is often built in the form of a dome. The height of the room must be at least 2.5 m. The dome is not just an original stylistic solution or a tribute to oriental exoticism, but also a design technique that has quite practical significance. Thanks to the dome-shaped shape, the steam rising upward during condensation does not drip down from the ceiling, but flows down from the gently sloping vaults along the walls. The unusual shape of the ceiling complicates construction somewhat.

Other, less expensive than a dome, options for ceiling structures are also possible: arched, vaulted and any other shape except flat. Columns are often used in the architectural design of Turkish hammam.

What are the different ways to heat a hammam?

In the modern interpretation of the Turkish bath, temperature and humidity are created by internal heating of the room. Heat comes from heated walls, floors, and beds. The steam is started by a steam generator.

Depending on the chosen heating method, installation is carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and heating of all surfaces of the steam room is provided: floor, walls, tables, benches.

There are two types of heating for a Turkish bath - water and electric heating. Electric heating is organized similarly to the “warm floor” system, when electric heating elements are laid under the surfaces. In terms of operational characteristics and material costs, water heating is better and more profitable. Regardless of the type of heating chosen, the heating of the hammam must be separate.

If an autonomous heating system is installed in a country house, it is recommended to provide an additional circuit for the hammam, so that in the summer you do not have to specifically turn on the general heating system just to heat the steam room. The construction of a Turkish bath with water heating involves laying a network of small-diameter water pipes with constantly circulating hot water in the floor, walls and beds. A small electrically heated boiler is located in the technical department. From it comes a distribution of several circuits of metal-plastic pipes, which are laid under the surfaces of the floor, walls and seats.

It is recommended to maintain a constant temperature in the hammam steam room, at least 30C. Six hours before the bath procedure, the heating temperature is set on the sensors to 45°C. It is easier to regulate the heating temperature of surfaces with water heating.

Lighting and power supply for Turkish bath

Due to the high humidity in the steam room, lighting requires careful attention and precautions. For safety reasons, waterproof low-voltage lamps with a voltage of no more than 24V and a degree of protection of at least IP 65 are installed, intended for lighting swimming pools.

The “starry sky” spot lighting system, which is built into the ceiling and consists of fiber-optic lamps, looks very elegant. Lighting is one of the main techniques for designing a Turkish bath. Thanks to the thoughtful selection and placement of lamps, the feeling of an oriental fairy tale is created.

Sewerage

The sewage system in a Turkish hammam is equipped with a drain with a locking device to prevent unpleasant odors from entering the bathhouse. The Qurna (marble ablution bowl) does not drain into the sewer. The sewage system of the hammam bathhouse is connected to the common house one.

Ventilation

The presence of a ventilation hood is a prerequisite for the construction of a hammam. For a comfortable stay in the steam room, where the humidity reaches 100%, the air needs to be renewed every 10 minutes. The steam generator regularly releases steam into the room, which turns into condensate. If you integrate ventilation into a common cycle with other rooms of the house, then water will condense in the ventilation system and can form leaks in living rooms. Therefore, if long-term use of the bathhouse is expected, more than 2 hours, the ventilation is connected to the general house system, and a steam separator is installed to dry the moist air.

The adjustable ventilation valve is usually located on the ceiling and is always open.

Special equipment for Turkish bath

The success of turning an ordinary room in a country house into an oriental corner depends not only on the correct selection of building materials, but also additional technical equipment.

Steam generator

The main device in a Turkish bath is a steam generator.

The Turkish hammam is characterized by high humidity, which is maintained using a steam generator. The power of the device is selected based on the size of the bath room. The steam generator is equipped with a temperature sensor that regulates the injection of steam. If the air temperature in the steam room exceeds 55 degrees, then the steam supply to the steam room is blocked. Therefore, in order for steam to flow uninterruptedly and the steam generator not to turn off, the internal heating system is designed and assembled with the expectation of an air temperature of no more than 40-50 degrees. The steam generator is placed in the technical department, and the control panel of the steam generator is located at the entrance to the bathhouse; a display indicating the actual air temperature is installed in the steam room. The steam nozzle is located in the sauna under the bench.

The remote control has a button for turning on the interior lighting and a block for setting the temperature with two keys. The steam generator is connected to the central water supply and electrical network. It is strictly forbidden to water the device with water or cover it with a damp towel.

The domestic market of steam generators mainly includes products from the Swedish company Tylo and the Finnish company Helo, Harvia.

The steam generator is turned on 1-1.5 hours before the start of the bath procedures.

The latest models of steam generators are equipped with an automatic flushing and draining system, so you should not disconnect the device from the voltage or turn off the water supply valve.

Some of the latest steam generator models are equipped with self-cleaning electrodes.

Flavoring

The use of aromatic essential oils during bath procedures gives an unforgettable sensation. Many of them have a healing effect. An automatic aromatherapy system is used to spray various phytoessences. The fragrance consists of a matte stainless metal flask with a fan, a wick and a remote control panel. All bottles with aromatic oils are replaceable and are represented by a wide range of phytoessences.

How to build a Turkish bath hammam video

Accessories for Turkish hammam

Despite the rich oriental decoration, there is nothing superfluous in the hammam: every object and architectural element is functional.

Qurna

Steam comes from under benches equipped with special dispersing nozzles. Since being in the hammam causes increased sweating, a water source is provided directly inside the steam room - a kurna, a wall-mounted bowl for ablution that does not have a drain.

Kurna is not only a traditional decorative element; incense and a special soap solution for massage are prepared in it. Usually qurnas are made of marble. The kurna has beautiful copper taps with hot and cold water, made in the ancient oriental style. Sometimes a “tropical shower” shower is installed in the steam area, creating a plentiful, uniform flow of water and then you can wash without leaving the steam room.

A door made of heat-resistant tempered glass with a magnetic door seal is installed in the doorway. An important condition for the door design is the presence of a gap under the glass.

Massage table and beds

After installing the kurna, benches and a massage table are arranged in accordance with the dimensions specified in the project. The massage table and benches are usually made of brick. They must be heated. The surface area of the table can be different: from classic, allowing you to accommodate several people, to narrow, designed for one person.

Table height 80 cm for comfortable work of the massage therapist. The last stage is facing with mosaic, marble or ceramic tiles. Bath experts recommend choosing natural marble for finishing sunbeds, seats and massage tables. Marble heats up quickly and is more durable.

Design

To ensure that the hammam is designed in a true oriental style, the floor and ceiling are decorated with mosaics, decorative panels and ceramic paintings with traditional patterns. Both marble tiles and multi-colored mosaics are used for wall cladding.

The interior design of a Turkish bath is determined by the taste preferences of the owner and the imagination of the designer.

Rules for safe use of hamam

Loungers, seats, walls and floors are heated to a comfortable temperature that is pleasant to the body.
For electrical wiring, heat-resistant and moisture-resistant electrical cable is used.
To illuminate the hammam, special lamps with low voltage and moisture-proof and heat-resistant functions are fixed to the walls and ceiling.
The sewage system in a Turkish hammam is equipped with a check valve to prevent odor penetration.
The heating of the hammam is turned on several hours before using the steam room and the air temperature level is programmed to 45-50 degrees.
The steam generator is turned on 1.5-2 hours before the start of the bath ceremony. After completing the procedures, it is not disconnected from the network so that the automatic flushing system works. The automatic flushing machine sprays disinfectant through a sprinkler.
After finishing using the bathhouse, clean it using detergents.
Twice a year, a preventive inspection of technical equipment is carried out and the steam generator is cleaned.

Ancient traditions and modern management

The control of the technical equipment of the Turkish bath is becoming more and more automated. To do this, it is enough to program the desired operating mode and the automation will do everything itself: heat and maintain the set temperature, supply steam, regulate ventilation. There is even automatic disinfection and rinsing of the bath.

How much does an oriental fairy tale cost?

It is difficult to say how much it costs to build a hammam. The cost of construction depends on many factors: the cubic capacity of the premises, the materials and equipment used, construction and installation work. You should start by choosing a place for a Turkish hammam, consult with specialists, look at the prices on the websites of various companies that produce building materials and equipment for Turkish baths, and then decide on the amount.

A visit to the Turkish bath is a real holiday for body and soul. Washing, massage and conversations over tea in the hammam help to take a break from everyday routine affairs, restore physical strength and mental balance. A hammam built in your own home and with your own hands will become a favorite corner for the whole family and a pleasant surprise for guests.

Reading time ≈ 5 minutes

The Turkish bath is fundamentally different from traditional Russian and Finnish baths, which are intended for use in areas with cold climates. The hammam is designed for visitors who live in a country with a hot climate, therefore thermal bath procedures are carried out at a temperature that is comfortable for a southern person. At the same time, high humidity ensures profuse sweating and cleansing of the entire body. Any family member, including small children and grandparents, can use such a bathhouse.

The main feature of the hammam is that the room where the main bathing procedures take place is finished with marble. Therefore, the floor, walls and sun loungers must be heated. Steam is supplied to the steam room through channels from a steam generator. The shower room must be equipped with a rain shower. Well, the rest room and bathroom are not much different from competitors. If you want to build a hammam with your own hands, then it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the recommendations given below.

Drawings of the hamam device

Where to start building a hammam?

It is hardly possible to build a hammam in a house or apartment with your own hands without a simple project or at least a drawing. You can develop it yourself or find a standard design if the hammam will be built as a separate building. In this case, it will be necessary to take into account that the bathhouse will need to be supplied with water, sewerage, gas, electricity or other heat sources, for example, solid fuel.

You also need to first decide on the heating system and heating of the bath. If heating is carried out with hot water from a boiler installation, then the design of the heated floor and sunbed will be the same, but if you use a “warm floor” made from a heating cable or infrared films, then it will be different. The most optimal, safe and inexpensive way is to heat the bathhouse with a water heating system.

Since the hammam bath will have very high humidity and abundant condensation will form, which can drip from the ceiling onto people, the ceiling itself must be domed so that the drops flow down the wall. If the main directions are determined, then you can begin building the hammam.

Stages of construction of a Turkish bath

Considering the fact that these buildings have very high humidity, the construction of the hammam must be made from traditional stone materials, for example, brick, foam concrete, cinder block, etc. Therefore, the foundations must be designed for such loads.

It is important to keep in mind that high humidity indoors requires high-quality horizontal waterproofing of the foundations, and backfilling should be done in stages with dense clay with layer-by-layer compaction. If the groundwater level in the area is high, coating vertical waterproofing of the outer walls of the foundations will be necessary. Also, do not forget to leave holes for the passage of underground communications.

If the foundations are installed and backfilling with compaction is completed, then proceed to laying the walls, which must have a thickness of at least 40 cm. When making an attic floor, it is necessary to take into account that the main heat losses occur through the ceiling, so it is advisable to use a monolithic structure made of expanded clay concrete. The roof of a Turkish hammam is best done combined, without wooden structures.

It is important to create a good slope using expanded clay. Be sure to install a vapor barrier under the insulation from one or two layers of roofing material or rubemast. The roof can be constructed from several layers of rubemast with fused bitumen.

After the frame and roof of the Turkish bath are completed, you can begin finishing and installation work. It is advisable to install windows from metal-plastic or glass blocks. The domed ceiling in the hammam can be made of moisture-resistant plasterboard.

Before preparing the floors, it is necessary to install the sewerage, water supply and heating pipelines. It is also necessary to lay all the cable wiring that will run along the walls and ceiling.

It is important to take into account that concrete preparation for floors has some features. The floor itself in the bath and shower must have appropriate slopes to ensure water drainage. The entire floor structure must have good waterproofing, therefore it is made of two layers of expanded clay concrete preparation.

A two-layer waterproofing from the TechnoNIKOL series is glued onto the first preparation layer 15 cm thick, then a second preparation layer 5 cm thick is placed, on which a heat-reflecting screen made of foil-coated material is laid. Plastic heating pipes are installed on the finished preparation, which are covered with a cement screed.

A good substitute for marble is porcelain stoneware, from which the flooring is made. The walls are insulated with polystyrene foam over a metal frame, to which polymer pipes from the heating system are attached. Then this entire covering is covered with tiles, preferably mosaic.

The lounger in the hammam is made of expanded clay concrete. Then a heating coil made of polymer pipes is mounted on all its surfaces and covered with facing tiles. The horizontal plane of the sunbed must have a minimum slope for water drainage. The seating shelves also have the same design. In the steam room, the floor and seats are also heated by a common heating system. All surfaces must be tiled.

The floor in the bathroom, the shower floor and walls are heated, and everything is also tiled. The rest room can be decorated to your liking or use the services of a designer. But the floor should also be warm and the air not too humid. Therefore, it is necessary to provide supply and exhaust ventilation, which will create the necessary comfort.

The technical room should be divided into two sections. In one of them there is a boiler for heating the entire building and a central electrical panel, and in the second there is a steam generator with aromatizer.

Conclusion

In any case, before making a hammam with your own hands, you need to thoroughly prepare, since the amount of work is quite impressive. Therefore, before building a hammam, it is necessary to determine at least the approximate cost of the project. Sustainable financing will help prevent hammam construction from becoming a long-term construction project. You can see more clearly how to build such a bathhouse if you look at the attached photos and videos.

Video: how to build a hammam with your own hands

What is hamam

How does a classic hammam work?

The classic hammam has three pools. The first pool is filled with warm water, the second with neutral water and the third with cold water.

Hamam bath ceremony

The steam room provides procedures for cleansing and renewing the skin: peeling and soap massage.

The procedures alternate with water washes. For a more pronounced effect, steam is saturated with essential oils.

Lastly, they go to the rest room, “soguklyuk,” where you can lie down, relax, and drink tea.

The healing properties of the Turkish bath

Enlarges pores, improves skin breathing, cleanses, moisturizes and rejuvenates.
Cleansing the body of toxins and harmful substances.
Muscle relaxation and recuperation.
Normalization of the respiratory system, prevention and treatment of colds.
Analgesic effect.
Relieving stress, improving sleep.
Improved digestion.
Reducing excess weight.
Getting rid of cellulite.

How to build a hammam yourself

The vat with boiling water is located in a separate room, and the steam flows through special outlets into the steam compartment.

Choosing a place to build a hammam

The size and shape of the steam room are completely determined by the preferences of the owner. Even a tiny storage room can be used as a technical compartment.

What materials are needed to build a hammam?

Construction stores offer a wide selection of special materials for creating a hammam. Unlike a Russian bath, a Turkish hammam never uses wood, only stone and metal.

General requirements for materials for a Turkish bath: high structural strength, heat and moisture resistance.

Natural marble

Marble is considered the ideal choice for finishing a hammam. Since ancient times, natural marble has been the main material for cladding walls and beds.

Smalt

Smalt is produced in the form of plates or tiles of different sizes from 1cm 2 to 5cm 2. It can be rough, transparent, smooth and matte.

Ceramic tile

How finishing work is performed

The construction of a Turkish hammam requires particularly careful finishing, which must meet the main requirements - high-quality thermal insulation and waterproofing of the room.

List of construction works:

installation of thermal insulation;
installation of waterproofing;
laying reflective vapor barrier;
conducting all communications;
finishing with plaster and laying screed;
final waterproofing;
covering floors, walls, tables and sunbeds with ceramic tiles, mosaics, marble and other materials.

The order of finishing work

What should the floor be like in a Turkish bath?

The floor in the hammam bath must be equipped with a heating system and a slight slope must be maintained for reliable water drainage.

Features of the ceiling in a Turkish bath

What are the different ways to heat a hammam?

Lighting and power supply for Turkish bath

Sewerage

Ventilation

The adjustable ventilation valve is usually located on the ceiling and is always open.

Special equipment for Turkish bath

The success of turning an ordinary room in a country house into an oriental corner depends not only on the correct selection of building materials, but also additional technical equipment.

Steam generator

The main device in a Turkish bath is a steam generator.

The domestic market of steam generators mainly includes products from the Swedish company Tylo and the Finnish company Helo, Harvia.

The steam generator is turned on 1-1.5 hours before the start of the bath procedures.

The latest models of steam generators are equipped with an automatic flushing and draining system, so you should not disconnect the device from the voltage or turn off the water supply valve.

Some of the latest steam generator models are equipped with self-cleaning electrodes.

Flavoring

How to build a Turkish bath hammam video

Accessories for Turkish hammam

Despite the rich oriental decoration, there is nothing superfluous in the hammam: every object and architectural element is functional.

Qurna

A door made of heat-resistant tempered glass with a magnetic door seal is installed in the doorway. An important condition for the door design is the presence of a gap under the glass.

Massage table and beds

Design

The interior design of a Turkish bath is determined by the taste preferences of the owner and the imagination of the designer.

Rules for safe use of hamam

Loungers, seats, walls and floors are heated to a comfortable temperature that is pleasant to the body.
For electrical wiring, heat-resistant and moisture-resistant electrical cable is used.
To illuminate the hammam, special lamps with low voltage and moisture-proof and heat-resistant functions are fixed to the walls and ceiling.
The sewage system in a Turkish hammam is equipped with a check valve to prevent odor penetration.
The heating of the hammam is turned on several hours before using the steam room and the air temperature level is programmed to 45-50 degrees.
The steam generator is turned on 1.5-2 hours before the start of the bath ceremony. After completing the procedures, it is not disconnected from the network so that the automatic flushing system works. The automatic flushing machine sprays disinfectant through a sprinkler.
After finishing using the bathhouse, clean it using detergents.
Twice a year, a preventive inspection of technical equipment is carried out and the steam generator is cleaned.

Ancient traditions and modern management

How much does an oriental fairy tale cost?

The bathhouse is one of the favorite “Russian pastimes”. Today, the “geography of bath traditions” has expanded significantly. And although the classic Russian “steam room” and Finnish sauna did not give up their leading positions, they now have a very serious competitor. It became a Turkish bath, better known as a hammam. So today, many owners of dachas and country houses are puzzled by how to pamper themselves with the softer, but no less healthy, steam of the Turkish hammam. We will talk about the features of building just such a “non-Russian” bathhouse in this article.

But before we move on to a description of the technology, let's get acquainted with the main features and advantages of a Turkish bath, as well as the structure of a classic hammam.

The main advantages of a Turkish bath

Classic Turkish bath

Turkey is a southern country, so there was no need for a high-temperature bathhouse among its indigenous population. The average temperature in the hammam is only 50–60 C°, which at first glance will seem like child’s play to those who like to “warm their bones” in a Finnish sauna, the temperature in which can reach 110–150 C°. However, the Turks compensated for the lack of temperature with increased humidity and additional heating of the body provided by hot stone shelves.

Like any bathhouse, the hammam perfectly removes waste and toxins from the body, helps cleanse and rejuvenate the skin.

Foam peeling is the ‘calling card’ of hammam. This procedure perfectly cleanses the skin.

But at the same time, the atmosphere of the hammam is not only not contraindicated, but even favorable for people with cardiovascular diseases and diseases of the kidneys, liver and stomach. Soft, moist steam improves metabolism and has a great effect on the nervous system.

In a word, hammam provides an excellent opportunity to improve your health and relax after a tiring workday.

Construction of a traditional hammam

If we compare a hammam with a Russian bath, we will not find many similarities.

The main material used to decorate a Turkish bath is stone, and not the wood we are used to. Classic hammams were made of marble, and onyx, a semi-precious mineral, was used as decorative inserts.

If in a Russian bath the heating element is a “heater” located directly in the steam room, then in a hammam the required temperature is achieved due to hot steam and heating of almost all surfaces. Moreover, the source of steam is placed outside the steam room. In the old days, this function was performed by a special boiler, the steam from which passed through special channels, thereby heating the floor, walls and tables.

An obligatory element of the hammam is the qurna. These are special stone bowls with hot and cold water for washing.

A classic hammam with a modern design may look something like the one shown in the following figure.

In a modern hammam, a boiler with hot water is replaced by a steam generator and a heating system

Construction of a hammam

It’s worth clarifying right away that building a hammam, especially if we are talking about a separate structure, is a very difficult task, so you cannot do without a detailed study of many aspects, special tools and fairly good construction skills. Moreover, even in this case, it is possible that in some matters you will have to resort to the help of professionals. So our article will give you only a general idea of all stages of hammam construction. You can decide whether to entrust all this work to specialists or take on some part of it yourself.

Project

A hammam, even if it is built in a ready-made building, is a complex engineering structure. Therefore, its construction begins with the preparation of a detailed project, which includes not only the layout of the premises, but also the steam and heating system, plumbing and electrical wiring, and so on.

It is better to order an individual hammam project from a construction company. In this case, the specifics of your situation will be taken into account and the optimal solution will be found for each possible problem. Although if you are building a hammam from scratch, you can use a ready-made project.

Approximate plan of a Turkish bath (excluding technical premises)

As you can see, it is almost impossible to create such a project on your own, without special knowledge. And although ordering such a document from a specialized company will not be cheap, it will allow you to avoid many problems that may arise during construction. So, “savings” on the project can result in more serious expenses when correcting mistakes during the construction of the hammam.

Premises requirements

Regardless of whether you are building a hammam from scratch or trying to adapt an existing premises, you must meet a number of mandatory requirements:

the hammam must consist of at least four rooms: a steam room (harar), a shower room, a technical room and a relaxation room;

If the hammam is made in the house, then the technical room can be moved outside it (but no further than 15 meters), and any suitable room, not necessarily adjacent to the hammam, can be used as a rest room.

the floor, ceiling and walls must be adapted for subsequent cladding with natural stone or ceramic tiles;

To build a hammam, it is better to use brick or cinder block. If you are making a hammam in a wooden house, then all surfaces will need to be pre-prepared.

the premises must be equipped with ventilation and sewage systems;
recommended ceiling height is at least 2.5 meters;

The ceiling in the hammam must be made in the form of a dome

The ceiling in the hammam must certainly be domed. And the point is not at all about respect for Turkish traditions, but about the fact that drops of condensation will inevitably collect on it. A ceiling of this shape will allow them to flow down the walls, rather than drip onto the floor and on your head.

Stages of hammam construction

In terms of the number of layers required, the walls of a Turkish bath resemble a Napoleon cake.

After the room for the boor is ready, its further construction consists of the following stages:

insulation (with a mandatory layer of reflective foil);
waterproofing;
installation of a heating system;
screed and final waterproofing;
decorative finishing.

Insulation

First of all, the room in which the hammam will be located should be insulated. This will allow you to save significant energy costs in the future. Today, there are various insulation technologies, some of which you can familiarize yourself with by reading the article “Warm house” on our website.

Waterproofing

In terms of humidity, a hammam can easily be compared to a bathroom, and the amount of moisture settling on the ceiling and walls will be several times higher. Therefore, naturally, you cannot do without high-quality waterproofing. The technology for installing it is practically no different from similar work in a regular bathroom, so you can use it as instructions.

Both water and electric systems can be used as a heating system for the hammam. You can read more about their installation.

Water heating can be “powered” from a central hot water supply system (if, of course, it is present in the house) or from a separate electric boiler, which can be located in a technical room along with a steam generator.

Hamam water heating system

For electric heating, it is most logical to use mats of the “warm floor” system. For safety reasons, it is better to move the system control panel to a technical room or rest room.

Please note that electric mats or heating pipes must be laid not only on the floor, but also on the walls and under the central pedestal of the hammam.

Decorative finishing

The classic hammam is finished with natural marble, and a solid stone slab is used for the bed. But since this option is quite expensive, ceramic tiles are often used in modern hammams. Such finishing will cost much less and will have virtually no effect on the quality of the steam room.

Mosaic with an oriental pattern is an excellent option for decorating a hammam

Small mosaic tiles are suitable for finishing the hammam. It would probably be redundant to say that the pattern should be based on oriental motifs.

Lighting

Considering the fact that the humidity level in the hammam will be extremely high, it is necessary to use only special moisture-proof lamps for lighting.

The level of protection of lamps, as well as sockets and switches must be at least IP 65.

LED lamps are perfect for lighting the hammam.

In addition to high humidity, there are also significant temperature changes in the hammam, so all electrical wiring must be made of a special heat-resistant cable.

Functional arrangement of hammam

Hamam is impossible without steam. Therefore, you cannot do without a steam generator. This device is installed in a technical room and from it, through special channels, steam enters the harar steam room.

A modern steam generator for hammam is an easy-to-install and operate device

The construction market offers a very wide range of steam generators, so you can easily choose a device that best suits the requirements of your bathhouse.

Sun lounger

The main element in the harar steam room is a stone lounger. Most often it is placed in the center of the room, but narrow stone benches can also be installed along the walls.

A stone lounger, or table, performs several functions at once. Firstly, the heated stone perfectly warms up the muscles and joints, and secondly, you can take a special foam procedure on it, which is one of the distinctive features of hammam. And finally, the lounger can be used as a massage table, especially since pre-warmed muscles will find this procedure very useful.

The ceiling in the hammam should be in the form of an arch or domed. Due to high humidity, condensation forms on the ceiling. This type of ceiling is needed so that drops do not drip onto the heads of visitors, but flow down the walls.

A frameless dome can be in the form of an arch, skullcap, envelope or sphere.

→

We make the dome from reinforced Deluxe or Teplof panels. They are made from rigid extruded polystyrene, reinforced on both sides with fiberglass mesh with a waterproofing polymer-cement coating. Or from rigid foam plastic PSB-50. This is expanded polystyrene foam (white, beads), the densest and hardest of all produced (with or without reinforcement).

Expanded polystyrene / polystyrene foam not only creates a shape, but also acts as insulation, retaining heat in the room.

Expanded polystyrene/foam plastic does not rot, does not absorb moisture, and is impenetrable to water vapor. Easy to install - an ideal material for making a dome.

Regardless of what material the dome is chosen from, it will most likely arrive to you disassembled into several segments. So that you can bring it indoors or place it in your car upon delivery. At the stage of ordering the product, our consultant will definitely discuss this point with you. If you have the opportunity to bring in the entire dome, we will deliver it assembled.

Installation

In the room of the future hammam, the segments of the product are glued together with polystyrene foam glue.

If you plan to install a starry sky, go to the “” section for details, and then come back here.

After the foam glue has dried, the dome must be raised and secured to the ceiling (temporarily). After installing the wall panels (), polystyrene foam adhesive is applied to the upper end of the wall panels, and the dome is lowered onto them and glued.

If you ordered a reinforced ceiling, it must be covered with a waterproofing compound (3 layers).

If it is made of PSB-50 without reinforcement, then it must be reinforced with fiberglass alkali-resistant facade mesh with a density of at least 145 g/sq.m. and glue for reinforcement, for example Ceresit ST 85 or an analogue. After drying, it must be coated with a waterproofing compound (3 layers).

When the waterproofing composition has dried, the dome is ready for laying the mosaic. The ceiling must be water and vapor insulated to the maximum. It, like the floor, bears the maximum hydraulic load, so we recommend grouting the mosaic with transparent epoxy grout.

→ Domes made to measure

Features of installing the Sphere dome

If you ordered a sphere dome made of PSB-50, you will additionally need Deluxe or Teplof panels with 2-sided reinforcement, 50 mm thick. The panels are laid out and glued together in such a way that they cover those places where the dome itself will not cover the ceiling (corners and sides). A hole is cut in the middle for the sphere.

Triangular structures made from guides need to be attached to the wall. The dome structure with panels rises up and is screwed along the entire perimeter with self-tapping screws and washers to these triangular guides - the panels are below, and the triangular structures are on top, hidden behind the ceiling