Pros and cons of a summer shower
Today, summer showers of various designs are used to furnish summer cottages and houses. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. This is worth considering when choosing a design. Popular options include:
- Film shower. The structure consists of metal and wooden elements that are covered with film. The disadvantage of such a shower is its fragility. As for the advantages, we can highlight ease of installation and mobility. If desired, it can be easily moved from one place to another. Metal corners are often used for construction.
- Frame construction. The shower is a stable and monolithic product that has a long service life. The design is well ventilated, and the water heats up quickly. It is easy to serve and comes off just as quickly. As for the disadvantages, it is worth highlighting the vulnerability to negative environmental factors. During operation, the structure loses its attractive appearance.
One of the most durable solutions is a summer shower made of polycarbonate Source demidovo52.ru
So, having analyzed all this, we can note several main advantages of a summer shower:
- efficiency;
- ease of installation;
- practicality.
As for the disadvantages, among them we can highlight the limitation of use. The fact is that in such structures, water heating is most often carried out from solar energy. Therefore, they cannot be used in the cold season or in bad weather.
Choosing a suitable place
The open area promotes uniform heating of water throughout the daylight hours
Before starting work, choose the location of the shower. It must be easy to maintain and comply with legal regulations. For this purpose, a secluded corner, located at a great distance from the wells and wells, is suitable.
An area open on all sides, not cluttered by trees and tall bushes, will provide access to the sun during the day.
Types of summer shower
Various materials and technologies are used to make a modern shower. When choosing, you should rely on financial capabilities and other equally important factors.
Wooden shower
A wooden cabin is a popular and common option. This is due to the fact that it is very simple to implement. For construction, environmentally friendly material is used, which has many advantages. The only drawback is low resistance to moisture and insects. Therefore, wooden elements are treated with antiseptics. Timber and boards are used for construction. The best option would be coniferous wood, as it is highly resistant to humid environments.
Combination options are often offered - shower plus toilet Source seattlehelpers.org
A wooden shower in the country is performed in the following sequence:
- The shower is a frame structure, which consists of racks of a certain section. When choosing timber, it is worth considering the load that will be created by the storage tank.
- Holes are dug under the posts, the depth of which is 80 cm. A cushion of crushed stone and sand, 10 cm thick, is made at the bottom.
- To protect the timber from rotting in the ground, it is coated with bitumen and wrapped with roofing felt. After this, they are installed in the hole and leveled. Additional racks are installed in the places where the doors are mounted.
- The racks are connected at the bottom and top by horizontal bars. Bolts or angles are used to fasten them together.
- The sides of the cabin are finished with sanded boards. After this, all elements, including doors, are treated with paints and varnishes.
During construction, it is worth considering a method for draining waste water. As for its supply, storage tanks are installed on the roof, which have different shapes and volumes.
You can order the construction of a full-fledged open-air bathroom Source emupauto.ru
Polycarbonate construction
This design is somewhat simpler to construct. To perform the work you will need a welding machine. This is necessary for the construction of a metal frame. A profile with a cross-section of 40x60mm is used as racks. Smaller products are used for strapping.
Installation of the frame is carried out in the same way. The racks are concreted in pits. Jumpers are attached between them, which will add rigidity to the structure and will also be used to fasten the polycarbonate. A durable frame is welded on top on which the water tank will be installed. After this, the entire structure is covered with waterproof paint.
For finishing, opaque polycarbonate sheets are used, the thickness of which ranges from 6 to 10 mm. A circular saw is used to cut the material.
A polycarbonate shower warms up like a greenhouse Source prosamodelki.ru
Corrugated shower
As a summer shower, you can also use a structure made of corrugated sheets. This material is lightweight and distinguished by its durability. To construct the frame, wooden blocks and a metal profile of a certain cross-section are used.
The construction of the shower follows a similar pattern. The racks are connected by a transverse profile, which will add rigidity to the structure. To fix the finishing material, galvanized self-tapping screws equipped with sealing washers are used. The doors are made of a profile frame, which is sheathed with corrugated board. To cut the material, use metal scissors or a grinder with a toothed disc.
Neat booths made of corrugated sheets Source tltext.ru
See also: Contacts of construction companies that offer metal structures installation services.
Brick shower
To build a shower stall from brick, you need to make a shallow foundation. To do this, dig a trench 20 cm wide and 40 cm deep along the perimeter. To save on the construction of the foundation, broken brick or stone is thrown into the concrete solution.
When the concrete has hardened, laying is done with cement mortar. At the same time, a doorway of the required dimensions is arranged. The door can be made of wood or a metal frame covered with corrugated board. Bars are laid on top of the masonry, which will serve as the basis for the roof and the installation of a water tank.
Brick is a permanent building Source ydachadacha.ru
Polycarbonate construction
This type of shower is a little simpler to build than the previous one. For assembly you will need a welding machine. It is used to build a frame, which is made of metal. A profile with a cross-section of 40x60mm is used as racks, and the strapping is made from a profile with a smaller size.
During installation, the racks are concreted. They are connected to each other by jumpers. They make the structure more rigid. A frame is built at the top to install a water tank. The entire structure is painted, thereby protecting the metal from moisture.
The walls are assembled from opaque polycarbonate with a thickness of no more than 10 mm. Cut polycarbonate sheets using a circular saw. Finishing is carried out
Choosing a location on the site and installing a base for a summer shower
When building a summer shower at the dacha, special attention is paid to the choice of location. It is worth considering some factors:
- The water should warm up well. Therefore, the structure is mounted in a sunny place. Trees and buildings will cast shadows on the cabin, which will negatively affect solar heating.
- When choosing a place, you should consider your preferences. So, the structure can be placed near the house, in the garden or near the pool, if there is one on the site.
- It is better to install the shower stall on a flat area, near which there is a place for water discharge. Otherwise, you will have to do complex wiring.
- The structure should be located near the house.
To make the right choice, you need to carefully inspect your site. It is also worth considering the features of constructing a shower. First of all, this concerns the need to build a foundation for the cabin.
It makes sense to install an outdoor shower only in an open, sunny place Source domadachi.ucoz.ru
Where to begin?
First of all, you need to understand what you want to get in the end. What qualities, amenities and functionality should a shower stall for a summer cottage have? How many people will use the shower? The choice of tank capacity and the need for drainage depend on this.
An important factor is the characteristics of the landscape and soil of the site. If there is an elevation, it is better to make a shower there. This will save you from having to drain the water. It is advisable that the sun shines on this place all day. If you have automatic water supply, you can automatically fill the tank.
Installing an elevated shower stall
It’s also worth deciding. What material will you use to make the shower stall for your dacha? The frame is made of metal round or profile pipes. You can opt for wooden blocks. Wall materials can be very varied. It all depends on your imagination and budget. Suitable for these purposes: tarpaulin or any thick fabric, plastic film, slate, wood, lining, metal sheets, brick, etc.
A summer shower cabin for a summer cottage with your own hands can be attached to a country house, made into a separate building or mobile. The latter option does not require a foundation, and if necessary, the structure can be disassembled to free up space. In this case, the shower is sheathed with light material.
Think in advance about how the water tank will be arranged. Do you want to make it heated or will you be satisfied with one in which the water is heated by the sun's rays. Draining the water is also important. The drainage system should be considered before construction begins.
Plan the dimensions of the shower stall for your dacha to be spacious. After all, you will need to put down bath accessories and put away your things. It must be at least 2 m in height, and the base must be at least 1x1 m.
Installation of a shower cabin
A shower cabin in a country house can be made locally or purchased in a store. Today the market offers a wide range of ready-made structures. When choosing them, it is worth considering the following factors:
- Size. The shower stall should be easy to use for all family members. Therefore, it is worth relying on the largest user.
- Material. The cabin should fit optimally into the landscape design. The material must also be highly resistant to negative environmental influences.
- Storage tank size. On average, one person consumes 35 liters of water while taking a shower. Therefore, when choosing a tank, you should rely on the number of family members. The container should have a small reserve reserve.
- Price. There are designs on the market in a wide price range. So, you can purchase a product for 5 thousand rubles or 15 thousand rubles.
Even the most economical option will be quite functional Source seattlehelpers.org
Insulating a summer shower
Why insulate a simple summer shower if it is used in the warm season? The fact is that carrying out thermal insulation work will significantly extend the life of this structure. The main thing is to properly insulate the perimeter. For this use:
- Mineral wool. This is an environmentally friendly material that is very easy to install. The mats are laid into the frame, after which it is sheathed from the inside. To prevent moisture from entering the material, it is covered with an impermeable film.
Shower frame prepared for installation of insulation Source seattlehelpers.org
- Glass wool. If desired, it can be used to insulate the shower at the dacha. Of course, you need to be careful when working with it and carefully follow the installation instructions.
- Waterproof foam. It is a modern material that is optimally suited for insulating outdoor showers. To do this, it is enough to use slabs 5 cm thick. They are laid in a frame, on top of which the interior walls are finished.
The insulation of the structure allows it to be used even in bad weather. Of course, it is worth understanding that thermal insulation is only relevant in the case of closed shower stalls.
Construction process
They choose a place, clean it and make markings.
They dig a pit. When making a brick shower stall, the depth of the pit is approximately 15 cm. 5 cm of sand is poured onto the bottom.
Concrete is poured. The surface must be made smooth. This will avoid making a screed.
Installing a shower tank, water supply and heating
You should approach the choice of tank very carefully. It is worth considering some recommendations from professionals:
- Metal containers heat up faster in the sun. Plastic containers are distinguished by their durability due to their resistance to corrosive processes. They are also lightweight, which will reduce the load on the frame.
- The water container should be painted a dark color, which will speed up heating. This is achieved through better heat absorption.
Most often the shower tank is dark in color Source eem.ru.net
- The tank must have a sealed design to prevent dust and dirt from entering the water.
- Before installation, holes are made in the tank for the tap and water supply.
Today in the store you can find ready-made designs that include a watering can, pipe, tap and fittings. A sensor for monitoring the water level and its temperature would also be useful. The container is installed and secured to the prepared frame.
To supply water to the shower, water pipes are used:
- A trench is dug at the site where the pipeline is laid. Its depth should be greater than the freezing level of the soil. This will protect the system from frost.
- The pipeline is being assembled. Particular attention is paid to the pipe joints. They must be sealed and reliable. A water tap is installed at the end of the pipeline, with the help of which water will be supplied to the pipeline.
- The pipeline is insulated with mineral wool and laid in a trench. If it is necessary to supply electricity, the electric cable is buried in the same trench with the pipe. This will make your work easier.
At the final stage, the pipeline is connected to the water source and to the storage tank. In the latter case, polyethylene pipes or a garden hose can be used.
Water tanks can be installed separately - in this case, the volume of heated water can be increased Source fishing-caravan.ru
If necessary, the garden shower can have independent water heating. A common option is to install heating elements. Heating is also carried out using a boiler or a low-power gas boiler. When installing these heating elements, it is worth considering safety requirements.
Solar panels are also used for heating. This is a glass box with a coil installed inside. With its help, a greenhouse effect is created, which leads to heating of water.
Pedal washbasin for workshop
Alexxnew
I have a workshop on my personal plot, into which there is a water main - a pressure branch PND20 pipe, the discharge into the pit is an ordinary sewer pipe "fifty". Because I'm constantly making and fixing things, and I have to wash my hands often. Walking back and forth to wash your hands gets boring, and most importantly, you don’t want to grab the valve and stain it with dirt. Need to do something. I began to think that I could make something miniature and convenient for washing my hands. I was exploring the portal and came across this solution - pedal water supply. Those. a spring-loaded ball valve is installed, a cable is pulled, you press the pedal with your foot - the water flows, when you release it, it stops. I liked the idea, but I wanted something more technological.
After some thought, the user bought a special hydropedal for medical offices.
All that remains is to assemble the washbasin, for which Alexxnew purchased an inexpensive bedside table.
I reinforced it with wooden blocks and metal corners, and covered all raw cuts with sealant.
I had to build the bedside table itself. A false panel was created from the front of the drawer under the tabletop.
They made a normal bottom from the shelf for the cabinet instead of the standard and flimsy one, made of a material more reminiscent of thick cardboard.
The factory legs were set wider, and the holes for the outlets of the eyeliners and corrugations were cut out using crowns.
Additionally, Alexxnew bought a budget stainless steel sink measuring 380x380 mm.
A mixer was also required.
The sink was secured to the countertop by pressing it through a double self-adhesive “profileD” type seal and tearing off the “oak” base one.
The foot pedal was secured to two wooden blocks, screwing it to a galvanized metal plate at the required height.
Several short screws were used for fastening. This is necessary to avoid cracking of the wood.
Installed pedal.
Completely finished washbasin.
Alexxnew
The system works as it should. Mixer valves are needed only to limit the maximum amount of water supply. Next, you can control the flow by pressing the pedal with your right foot.
Organization of water drainage in a summer shower
There are several ways to arrange a drain in a summer shower. Thus, water can be discharged into a filtration well or into a filtration field. In the latter option, channels are installed between the beds. This will allow you to irrigate the area at the same time without any special costs.
Diversions are carried out in open and closed ways. In the first option, ditches are made at a slight slope from the collection site. This option is often used on moisture-resistant soils. The closed method involves laying pipes in the ground.
We need to decide where the used water will flow, given that it will be soapy. Source pol-exp.com
About the pallet
To prevent water from accumulating inside the shower stall, use a tray. The choice of tray depends on what type of floor is needed in the shower stall. There are several options for pallets.
- Wooden boards with gaps.
An option that does not require large expenses, since the drainage flows through the cracks directly into the drainage pit. This type of tray has a drawback: cold air is blown in through the cracks in the floor.
- Tray with drainage hole.
The outflow of water is ensured by homemade or purchased products made of iron, wood or acrylic. For fixation, the tray is screwed to the wall of the booth. It is necessary to maintain a slope towards the drain. A wooden ladder or mat on a pallet will protect your feet from the cold.