Shower cubicle - essential attribute summer cottage, designed to brighten up our stay at the hacienda. How to make a summer shower with your own hands in just one day and without spending much on building materials? We have developed step-by-step installation instructions collapsible design a country hygiene cabin, which can be dismantled for the winter and stored in a protected place.
Requirements for choosing a location
The process of making a summer shower should begin with choosing the location for its installation. We advise you to consider three points:
- you will have to heat the water using solar energy (unless you provide an electric heating option);
- the capacity of a tank designed for bathing 2 - 3 people is about 200 liters of water, so it is necessary to ensure its supply;
- Runoff should not accumulate under the shower or get on plants.
Based on this, when choosing a place to install a summer shower, follow these rules:
- choose a well-lit area where there is no shadow or where it appears for a short time, then the water will warm up well. Also take into account the presence of drafts: the cabin will not be airtight and will not be able to protect you from them;
- It is unlikely that you will want to manually draw water into the shower by carrying it in buckets. Therefore, when choosing the location of a summer shower, take into account the proximity of a tap, well, well and the presence of hoses;
- If you plan to use the shower regularly, take care of the drain hole. She should be away from the booth, so she also needs to be given a place.
To make a summer shower with your own hands, remember some requirements, failure to comply with which can lead to instability and destruction of the structure. Firstly, do not forget that the water tank has a decent weight, and therefore the support posts must be chosen so that they can support it. In addition, they need to be securely fastened: experienced summer residents It is recommended to bury the posts in the ground, or even better, fill them with concrete.
Secondly, you will need to make a drain in the floor and ensure water drainage - for this purpose they usually use a pipe buried in the ground at a slope large diameter. Stagnant moisture threatens you with a putrid odor, as well as an abundance of mosquitoes and midges.
Thirdly, do right choice when purchasing a tank. Metal containers They are more durable, but they are heavier, and the water in them heats up slowly. Plastic ones weigh much less, are easy to wash and help heat water quickly, but have a shorter service life.
Materials used in the decoration of country shower cabins
And now about the materials that you can use if you decide to make an outdoor shower with your own hands. Most often, summer residents make a frame (base) from wooden beams or metal pipes(profile), and used as cladding:
- plastic lining. It has a relatively low price, is not afraid of moisture and is quite resistant to sunlight and cold, is lightweight and does not require additional processing - in general, it is an almost ideal option;
- moisture resistant plywood. Despite the assurances of sellers, this material is still susceptible to moisture and has a shorter service life compared to lining;
- slate (flat or wave). Having an unattractive appearance, this material is characterized by excellent practical properties: reliable, durable, not subject to corrosion, and withstands temperature changes without consequences;
- professional sheet. Due to anti-corrosion coating it is not susceptible to rust, different low cost, but is very attractive to thieves because it is made of metal. So, once you return to the dacha, you run the risk of not finding it in the right place;
- tree. An environmentally friendly material that requires special care as it is susceptible to moisture.
Step-by-step instructions for making a collapsible shower
It's time to tell and show how to make a summer shower with your own hands in just one hour. We offer the option of a collapsible cabin, which can be easily dismantled and stored until the next summer season.
To make it you will need:
- 15.2 m profile pipe cross section 20 x 20 mm;
- 16 pcs. fastenings;
- plastic tank (preferably flat);
- opaque waterproof curtain.
Cut the pipe into 4 pieces of 2.2 m and 8 pieces of 0.8 m.
Prepare fasteners for shower assembly.
Using two 2.2 m pipes and two 0.8 m pipes, assemble a rectangle.
Then make a second rectangle of the same type and connect them together with the remaining 0.8 m long pipe sections.
Install the frame and place the tank on it.
Hang the curtain and your shower is ready. You can use a wooden pallet as a flooring.
If you want a more stable and durable shower for the cottage, you can use the tips from this video:
Summer shower made of metal profiles is an inexpensive, convenient and reliable option for those who like to spend hot weekends not in a stuffy city, but among the greenery of own dacha. A profiled sheet can resist corrosion for up to 50 years, is easy to install, and, most importantly, even a complete beginner in construction can build a summer shower in the country with their own hands. Detailed step by step instructions You will find how to do this in this article.
Summer shower made of corrugated sheets - photo of the wooden version support pillars and decorative top strip
Water drainage: drainage or drainage pit
Construction begins with choosing the most suitable suitable place under a summer shower made of metal profiles. Since it is desirable to make maximum use of solar heat to heat water, the shower should be located on open place, illuminated throughout the day.
- Performing drainage.
- Organization drain hole.
The first method is relevant if a summer shower made of corrugated sheets is needed only to freshen up and is not intended for long-term bathing. Then you can simply level the plot of land and pave it with paving stones, waste stones or crushed stone.
Creating drainage on clay soils
If the soil is clayey, then you should dig a hole 0.5-1 m deep, which then needs to be filled with alternating layers of gravel and sand 10-15 cm thick. Gravel should always be the top layer, and sand should always be the bottom layer. To save money, gravel can be replaced with fine gravel construction waste, For example, broken brick. You can install a shower in your dacha directly on such a drainage.
The second case is when a country shower made of corrugated sheets will be used specifically for the purpose of cleaning off dirt using detergents, not only by you, but also by your family members. Then, to organize the drainage, a small drainage pit for the shower in the country house is installed.
Drain pit for a shower made of corrugated sheets - photo of an already equipped drain on the side with a pipe connected
To prevent collapse, the walls of the drainage pit should be lined with stone or brick, and the bottom should be left to absorb moisture. In addition, a drain for a shower in the country can be organized by digging into the ground plastic pipe or car tires large diameter.
The size of the hole depends on the soil and your needs. If a summer shower for a dacha made of corrugated sheets is needed for a family of 4 people and will be located on sandy soil, then a depth of 1 m is quite enough. If we're talking about about clay, then the best option would be 2 m.
If the size of the area allows, it is better to organize the drain a little away from the shower itself, but if not, then you can do it right under it.
Do-it-yourself shower in the country: drawings and diagrams with dimensions
In order to make a summer shower from corrugated sheets, you need a drawing or, at least, a diagram of the future construction. They do not have to be detailed - it is enough to have basic dimensions, based on which you can plan your purchase with materials and further work with them. In addition, the presence of a diagram allows you to plan the technology and stages of construction.
Drawing of a shower made of corrugated sheets with wooden posts and concrete floor
Drawing country shower, given above, is a simplified version. It shows not only the dimensions, but also the schematic appearance of the shower. The diagram below shows a smaller building with the proposed installation of a tank on the roof, as well as a metal frame. I will consider making a shower of exactly this design in this article.
DIY diagram for a shower in the country: drawings with dimensions
Creating a foundation for a shower from a metal profile
The foundation for a shower in a country house is usually made very simple, since the structure itself is light. Before making the floor, you need to install and concrete racks from a 60x40 mm profile to secure the frame. This will increase the reliability of the structure and ensure that a summer shower in a dacha made of corrugated sheets will not tip over due to strong gusts of wind. The above-ground height of the racks can be from 2 to 2.5 meters, depending on the chosen shower design.
Since you need to make a shower from corrugated sheets as reliably as possible, to install the racks you need to dig holes 1-1.2 meters deep. For middle zone This is enough for Russia, but for northern latitudes it is worth further clarifying the depth of soil freezing in your area and deepening the racks below this value. A small layer of crushed stone should be poured into the bottom of the holes and compacted thoroughly. Then the pillars are placed strictly vertically and the holes are filled with concrete.
Take your time
Before installing a garden shower made of metal profiles on racks, you need to wait about a week. During this time, the concrete will have time to gain at least part of its strength. By doing concrete works When installing racks, it is imperative to use a building level.
Making the floor
Making a floor for a summer shower is a simple process and, first of all, depends on what type of drain is chosen. If this is a drainage, then you need to bring a pipe from the drain to it, if it is located to the side, or put it directly on top of it wooden grate, which will act as the floor in the shower at the dacha.
You can, again, install a wooden grate over the pit, or cover it with a removable concrete lid with a drain hole. Fill the remaining floor area cement mortar, having previously installed formwork around the edges from boards 70-80 mm high. To provide good drain for a shower in the country, it is necessary to make a floor with a slope towards the drain. Otherwise, water may begin to flow down the sides of the concrete screed.
Building a shower in the country with your own hands begins with installing supports and making a floor from concrete or wood
If a summer shower for a dacha made of corrugated sheets is located not above the pit itself, but not far from it, then it is necessary to organize a drain. Again, this can be done by concreted plastic drain and pipe into the floor, or by using special plastic or metal pallets.
In the latter case, you can either fill concrete screed under a country shower from corrugated sheets, or make a floor platform from wooden planks. However, regardless of the material, the platform should not be solid, but with a square hole in the center. Its size should be such that the selected shower tray for the dacha can easily fit there with its deep part, and it should be supported by the protruding sides. The height of the floor can be greater than the depth of the tray if it is made of metal, and should be equal if it is made of plastic.
This is due to the fact that a plastic shower tray for a country house is not very strong, and if you hang it without support, it can simply fall apart under the weight of a person. If the depth of the pallet is small, then the problem is solved with the help of special supports. The cheapest way to do this is to use a regular wooden grate.
Rules for constructing a drain pipe
If you decide to use a concrete screed as the floor, then a drain pipe it is concreted, but if the platform is wooden, then it goes under it.
Frame structure
Before you make a shower from a metal profile, you need to make its frame. For this purpose, installed racks after hardening concrete foundation connect with lungs metal profiles or wooden blocks, while leaving space for installing the door. If the frame for a shower in a country house is made of wood, then it must be treated antiseptic composition, which will prevent its rotting, as well as the appearance of mold and mildew.
There are two ways to secure the harness to the posts. If it is made of metal, then it is most reliable to weld the profiles to the racks. If you don't know how to work with welding machine, and therefore you cannot weld a summer shower with your own hands from corrugated sheets, then for fastening you can use metal screws or screw connections. For the latter, you will need to pre-drill holes in the profile. Wooden crossbars are attached only with self-tapping screws.
Fastening the shower frame frame from a metal profile - photo of a bolted connection
The lower transverse profile must be fixed at the floor level, the second from the top - according to the height of the corrugated sheet used. In order for the frame for a country shower to be sufficiently rigid and reliable, 1-2 more crossbars are installed between them. Finally, the last, uppermost transverse profile is mounted 20-25 cm higher than the previous one. It is needed for making a shower roof from corrugated sheets and installing a tank.
Subtleties of attaching a shower door
When installing the frame frame for a summer shower made of corrugated sheets with your own hands, do not forget about the door. Therefore, only the two upper crossbars are attached on all four sides, and all the rest - only on three. In addition, the hinges for the door must be welded in advance, before the walls are covered.
Thus, making a frame for a shower from a metal profile with your own hands is quite simple. Corrugated sheeting is lightweight and does not require a strong and heavy frame. Even for installing racks, a profile of 40×20 or 60×40 mm is sufficient. Don't be scared by the fact that this entire structure can be movable after assembly. Its rigidity will be provided by walls made of corrugated sheets attached to the frame.
This material is one of best options one of the cheapest and easiest ways to cover a shower in a dacha. It is not only reliable and durable, but is also not afraid of moisture and looks very bright and attractive.
Wall covering
The next step after making the frame is finishing the shower with metal profiles on three sides. To fasten it, again, use self-tapping screws or rivets. It is necessary to fasten the corrugated sheet every two waves. The self-tapping screw must be screwed into the bottom of the wave and must be straight, otherwise the attachment points will quickly corrode.
Sometimes, for greater reliability, the profiled sheet is secured at the bottom and top using a bolted connection. However, if you are building a shower from corrugated sheets with your own hands, then this is difficult to implement physically - you will need help with fixing the sheet. In addition, there is no need to do so, since fastening with self-tapping screws is reliable if done correctly.
Covering the walls of a summer shower with corrugated sheets with bolted connections
For fastening, it is better to use roofing screws with special washers made of self-vulcanizing rubber. WITH inside the attachment point must be sealed with special waterproof sealants or simply painted. Finishing a shower in a country house should be done with screws or rivets that are short enough so as not to pierce the profile of the crossbars right through.
When making a summer shower from a metal profile with your own hands, the last stage of sewing is installing the door.
Door manufacturing and installation
Since corrugated sheeting is made from thin sheets of steel, you cannot simply weld hinges to it and use it as a door - with this application, the sheet very quickly deforms under its own weight. Therefore, in order to make a shower door from corrugated sheets with your own hands, you need to weld a frame, onto which you will then attach a metal profile.
To make the frame, you should use a profile of the same section as for the racks with crossbars. If the width of the side of the summer shower is 1.5 meters or less, then the width of the door should be the same. If the side width is larger, then you need to leave 1.5 meters for the door, install additional profile, parallel to the racks, and sew up the metal shower for the dacha with corrugated sheeting in the remaining part. The height of the frame is determined based on the height of the corrugated sheet.
Trimming parts of the door frame at 45º and checking the correct angle
To make a door frame, you need to measure the profile required length, then cut the joints at 45° and weld. If you are making a door for an outdoor shower from corrugated sheets with your own hands, then before welding, be sure to lay out the profiles on a thick sheet of plywood or OSB (at least 10 mm) and secure them with clamps. If this is not done, then during welding the frame will “lead”, as a result of which it will not be able to be used for its intended purpose.
After the frame is ready, two crossbars and hinges are welded to it, and then sewn up with corrugated sheets. After sewing, a handle is screwed onto the door, and two latches are installed: inside and outside. If desired, you can install a small latch lock directly into the profile, then a shower made of corrugated sheets can be used to store various bath items. In addition, coat hooks can be screwed onto the crossbars.
Roof and tank for country shower
Finally, you have reached the last stage and have almost completed your shower at the dacha with your own hands from corrugated sheets. All the hardest part is over - all that remains is to choose a suitable water tank and install it.
You can buy a flat plastic tank at any construction supermarket. This shape is specially designed for summer showers. A shower container for a country house is usually taken with a volume of 200 liters - this is enough for a small family. Since building a shower in a country house from a metal profile involves a lightweight frame, take metal tank cannot be installed on the roof.
Plastic tank for a country shower with an already built-in fitting with a watering can
Plastic tanks for summer showers for summer cottages are usually sold with a fitting already installed. All you have to do is screw the valve with the shower net into it and you're done.
If there is no fitting, then you will have to make the hole yourself. However, it's not difficult - just follow these steps:
- V in the right place draw a circle of the required diameter;
- drill holes around the circumference with the smallest drill you have;
- With a sharp knife, simply connect the holes;
- insert the pipe into the resulting hole;
- Clamp it well on both sides with washers and rubber gaskets.
If you don’t have a small-diameter drill, you can take a medium one, only the places for drilling will need to be marked in advance, not along the circle itself, but slightly inside it.
You need to install the shower tank in your dacha on the roof. If its dimensions are smaller than the dimensions of the roof, then it is necessary to weld the attachment point. This can be achieved using a single 60x40 profile that is welded parallel to the door so that the tank can be placed on it and the top cross member at the rear, but it should not protrude beyond them.
Installing a tank on a shower made of corrugated sheets - photos of two options of different sizes
Next, around the perimeter of the tank you need to weld or secure with self-tapping screws strips of metal, a profile or wooden blocks. They should protrude from the top, forming sides, and from the bottom of the profile by about 5-7 cm. Thus, you can fix the tank on a summer shower for a summer residence, and also provide the opportunity to attach the insulation from the bottom of the tank. Instead of a combination of profile and steel sheet, you can immediately use corners with a wide shoulder.
After the container for the country shower is installed, the open openings must be covered with corrugated sheeting. It must be installed with a slope so that water drains without lingering on the roof. You need to attach the corrugated sheet in the same way as on the walls.
In order for water heated by the sun to retain heat longer, it is better to insulate the tank. If top part The tank and its walls are illuminated by the sun and serve to heat water, then Bottom part, inaccessible to the sun's rays, only contributes to heat loss. It is this that should be insulated using any material that does not lose its properties when exposed to moisture. In this case, for another 1-2 hours after sunset, a summer shower made of corrugated sheets will delight you with pleasant warm water.
Subtleties of upgrading the tank for more comfortable use of a summer shower
Typically, a shower head for a summer house is chosen from inexpensive - often even plastic - options, since they withstand better street conditions operation. The same applies to the faucet - it is better to take the cheapest Chinese faucet for a country shower with the expectation that it will have to be replaced in a year or two. It is also desirable that soap dishes and shelves for shampoos and other accessories be made of thick plastic and installed on crossbars.
Finally, let's focus on a few subtleties:
- In order for the water from the tank to be warmer, it should be taken not from the bottom, but from the surface, since warm water always rises to the top, and cold water always sinks to the bottom. This is achieved using a flexible plastic tube, one end of which is attached to the pipe and the other to the float.
- You should buy a black tank - it heats up much faster.
- To heat water faster, you can use the roof. Two holes should be cut: 5-10 cm above the bottom of the tank and at the very bottom. Then insert the pipes into them and connect them with a long flexible tube black color. This tube needs to be laid out on the roof of the shower in the form of a coil. Thus, cold water from the bottom will circulate through the tube, heat up and rise to the top.
With my own hands. Let's look at the simplest and most accessible ways to construct such a necessary building.
We often spend our summers at the dacha in order to be closer to nature for some time, away from noisy highways and the speed of the metropolis. But the holiday will not be entirely pleasant if we do not have the opportunity to take an invigorating shower, which allows us to wash away dirt and dust, and also makes us fresh and clean on a hot summer day.
Building an outdoor shower yourself is not so difficult, despite the fact that there are many options for its implementation, some of which are quite simple and do not require serious investments, both time and money. So let's get started.
Ready-made building for a summer residence
If you are too busy a person, or too lazy to build a shower and you have in cash, then you can simply buy ready product. Or order a frame from folk craftsman, and install the tank yourself. And that’s it, you can use this wonderful device!
If warm water is enough for you, you don’t have to use electric heating devices for this. In hot weather, it is enough to install a container of the required volume from available material above the booth, paint it with black paint so that there is better heating by the sun's rays.
The tank will heat up more quickly if you place it in a transparent box made of glass or plastic. Such a structure will allow you to provide yourself with warm water even in cool weather, the main thing is that the sun is not hidden behind clouds.
This option will be the simplest and most convenient for lazy people and money-lovers.
Open design
An outdoor summer shower built with your own hands is suitable for quickly washing away accumulated dirt. This design very simple and easy to assemble from scrap materials.
This open device will help strengthen the body and increase immunity.
It is best to make such a summer shower with your own hands near some wall, installing a supply pipe with a tap on it and. To protect yourself from prying eyes, you can attach a curtain. To do this, you need a pipe bent with an arc with loops for the curtain.
This is possible if your summer cottage, there is running water. If there is no water supply, you can attach a suitable container to the wall and you can take water treatments.
It is also necessary to protect the building wall and floor covering from the destructive process of water. You can line the wall with water-repellent material and put it on the floor fake diamond or other material. Just the material should not be slippery, otherwise there may be a risk of injury.
If the constructed outdoor shower is located next to the developed site, then no equipment is needed - the water used will evaporate and be absorbed into the ground.
How to build a shower in your country house with your own hands?
To begin, select a suitable and empty place in your dacha to install a new building. If you rarely use the shower, then wastewater can be poured directly into the ground.
But in case of frequent washing, you need to think about draining large quantity water to a specific place. If there is a septic tank, then wastewater can be directed there, of course, if the volume of the tank allows.
After earthworks, you can make the frame of a summer shower with your own hands, which must be solid (strong), because it needs to withstand the weight of the tank. The frame can be made from:
- boards (bars) reinforced with metal corners;
- steel angles or pipes.
A metal structure will be more durable, but will require annual painting to eliminate the possibility of corrosion, whereas wooden frame much easier to do.
Do-it-yourself summer shower - drawings for construction:
The material for the walls can be any available means:
- wooden lining;
- plastic panels;
- flat slate and much more.
Look at the photo of a DIY summer shower:
The inside of the cabin will become more beautiful and stronger if it is lined with plastic clapboard, the floor is made of boards in the form of a lattice, treated wood material from splinters
Consider the erosion of the soil under the shower over time. You can install a plastic or iron tray with ebb for the floor.
Or the simplest option is to pour a layer of crushed stone under the floor.
Look interesting video how to make a budget summer shower in the country:
P.S. As you can see, it is possible to build a shower for your dacha on your own and you do not need to buy expensive materials; you can use what is available.
Summer is a great time for country holiday. It can be overshadowed by the lack of a shower, since a person, regardless of whether he is working or resting, needs to perform water procedures.
If the dacha is used only in summer time, then the easiest way to organize a shower is on site. You can make a mobile shower, or build a solid outbuilding.
Portable summer shower
In stores you can find foot showers. There is no need to build or carry out anything to operate it. As a rule, you only need a small container of water to use it.
An existing hose is lowered into the container and connected to the pump. It resembles a small rug. The water comes out through a hose with a watering can, and for it to flow, a person just needs to mark time in one place.
This device is simply irreplaceable, as it is suitable not only for the garden, but also for picnics, and you can take it with you on hikes.
With its help, water procedures can be carried out not only on the street, but also in the house when it is very cool outside.
To do this, you just need to put a basin and wash yourself. Another advantage of a mobile shower is self-adjustment water temperature. Such a shower at the dacha simply cannot be replaced.
Stationary shower
Many summer residents are interested in how to make a stationary shower. This option is quite expensive compared to the first. However, it will serve you for many years.
Before you start construction, you need to think about where the water will drain from it. It’s good to have an antiseptic on site. You can drain the shower into it.
If it is missing, then you need to make a hole and fill the bottom with expanded clay. A family needs a pit measuring 60x60x60 cm.
If the soil is dominated by sand, the walls of the recess will have to be strengthened so that they do not crumble. Suitable for this metal grid or boards that are no longer needed.
Shower base
As a rule, a shower building weighs little. Therefore, there is no point in making a foundation for it; it can be replaced with blocks. They are aligned to the same level so that the structure stands level.
This is much cheaper than a foundation, and takes much less time for construction, since the foundation must dry, and the building can be immediately erected on the blocks.
The blocks should be placed 20 cm from the ground, this is necessary so that the wood does not rot.
If you are going to make a structure from metal, then the blocks do not need to be leveled at a level of 20 cm. Such a frame can be installed on ordinary paving slabs.
Construction
There are two types of construction. The first is when the building is divided into several parts. In one part there is a shower, in another there is a dressing room or technical room where the boiler is installed.
Note!
The second type is a simple shower with a curtain, where only water procedures will be performed. Therefore, the dimensions of the shower are calculated based on what kind of construction is planned.
Types of frame
Metal. The frame can be made of profiled pipe, 3 mm in size. For the work you will need a welding machine.
It is best to weld the pipe joints, this will make the structure stronger. If the device is missing, then the joints can be fastened with special bolts.
Tree. For construction you will need timber. Usually a beam measuring 50x50 mm is used. Before starting construction, you need to make a drawing of the shower in the country.
Shower trim
After the frame has been erected, the shower needs to be covered with material. There are no specific standards for the material. Everyone chooses according to their own pocket.
Let's highlight the most popular materials:
- oilcloth;
- textile;
- wood;
- slate;
- polycarbonate
Water container
Absolutely any container can be used as a tank. Basically, these are metal or plastic barrels. They can be purchased at any construction and country stores.
Note!
When choosing, consider your region of residence. For southern cities, any container is suitable, but for northern regions only a metal one, as it heats up faster.
Shower tray
It is best to purchase a ready-made pallet, since it will have a drain that will directly drain into the pit. The pallet is made of plastic or metal. Metal will last much longer, so it is advisable to choose it.
Making a summer shower in the country is not so difficult. The main thing is to approach the design thoroughly and calculate in advance the amount of material required.
For clarity, you can look at a photo of a summer shower at the dacha with your own hands. It will make your stay comfortable and enjoyable.
Photo of a shower in the country with your own hands
Note!
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of water in human life. Especially during the heat of the sun. A summer shower is exactly what allows you to cheer up and refresh yourself after gardening exploits.
By the way, not every summer resident has a summer shower on his property. But in vain! After all, it can be arranged simply - in the form of a temporary structure (collapsible) or thoroughly, for annual use.
If you are interested in how to make a summer shower with your own hands, then this article will be a good guide, since it contains the subtleties of choosing building materials for the shower and frame, a water tank, a drainage device, as well as drawings and diagrams for quick and inexpensive construction.
But, about everything step by step and in detail.
When planning the construction of a summer shower in the country, you need to pay attention to the choice of materials that will be used in the construction process. Summer shower is not only hygienic procedures, it is also decorative element in landscape design of the site. Not every dacha has a minimalist style, so let’s first consider what types of showers there are.
Types of summer shower for a summer residence
Simple outdoor shower
Structurally simple shower consists of a tank with a tap, which is installed at human height.
You can install the shower tank on a tree or lay a watering hose, securing it to a special stand, and throw a rubber mat on the ground. As a one-time measure, such a shower, of course, will do.
But, if you use it often, the bathing place will turn into a mud bath, which will make suburban area looking like a swamp, which is certainly not part of our plans.
Frame shower for a summer residence
Outdoor summer shower with remote tank
The photo shows an outdoor shower with the tank installed away from the bathing area. This is due to the fact that the shower frame cannot support the weight of the container filled with water.
Closed frame summer shower with tank
This design can already be called a shower house (or country shower cabin). It is this type that has become most widespread among owners of private houses, despite the great complexity and cost of production. Therefore, we will dwell on their device in more detail.
Types of frame showers differ from each other mainly in material exterior finishing. As evidenced by reviews on the forums, the most popular are:
Its peculiarity is absolute mobility and low cost. To make such a shower, it is enough to make a collapsible (or solid) frame and a screen from thick PVC film (or tarpaulin). Portable shower moves easily from one place to another.
However, it cannot be seriously considered as a long-term construction, because... service life is limited by the quality of the film (polymer rolled web). Usually it is changed every season, or even several times per season.
Such a construction, as well as all subsequent ones, can already be considered capital (stationary). The best option use of lumber - cladding with planed boards or frame cladding wooden clapboard. Can be used with moisture resistant OSB boards(OSB) or plywood, but not advisable due to hygroscopicity.
The tree is good because it is natural material. But its use requires proper processing and constant care. A wooden shower will last from 5 to 15 years. Using wood as a finishing material does not exclude the possibility of creating a unique project.
Finished garden showers are shown in the photo. Corrugated sheet is a profiled sheet made of thin metal. For a shower, a painted sheet with a metal thickness of at least 0.45 is suitable. This type of shower is resistant to moisture, but is more expensive and deforms due to mechanical damage.
Please note that in summer steel structure it gets very hot (one might even say it gets hot) and, as a result, it is hot and stuffy inside, therefore, you need to provide good ventilation. The service life is determined by the warranty period of the sheet and ranges from 10 to 25 years.
Tip: If you decide to use corrugated board, give preference to a matte finish. Its service life will be up to 25 years.
Polycarbonate shower
Thanks to the ability to use the “greenhouse effect”, polycarbonate is becoming one of the most popular and available materials for the construction of a shower.
To install a summer shower, it is better to use opaque cellular polycarbonate, 8-16 mm thick, special profile and washers for fastening. A polycarbonate shower will last you from 3 to 10 years (depending on the quality of the sheet).
Brick shower
An outdoor shower made of stone or brick can no longer be called a temporary summer shower, since usually they try to install water supply and electricity to it. A brick shower house, with properly organized drainage, can be used for quite a long time.
Choosing a place for an outdoor shower on the site
To use the shower for a long time and without problems, you need to place it correctly on the site, for this you need to consider:
- distance from home. On the one hand, it is advisable to place the shower closer to the house, so that on a cool evening you can quickly move to a warm room. But on the other hand, water drainage may not have the best effect on the foundation of nearby buildings.
Advice: do not place the shower next to a well, this will have a bad effect on the quality of drinking water.
- water supply. Typically, an outdoor shower is equipped with a tank. But water must be pumped into the container somehow. In a private house, water is supplied using a hose. At the dacha - most often by hand.
- draining. By installing the shower on a hill, you can simplify the drainage of used water.
- appearance. A thoughtful design of a summer shower will allow you to add a certain touch to the overall decor of the site.
- illumination Considering the fact that the water in the tank is planned to be heated from the sun's rays, it is better to place the shower in a place where the sun will shine longer;
- drafts. You should also consider when choosing a place for the shower. Otherwise, instead of pleasure, users will have a constant cold.
How to make a summer shower with your own hands - instructions
Stage 1 – material and tools
Shower frame material
- wood frame. It is advisable to use durable, dry wood coniferous species. The thickness of the bar depends on the thickness of the polycarbonate and the weight of the water tank. It would be optimal to use timber no thinner than 50x50 mm. When using wood in your work, you need to take care to extend its service life. To do this, it is worth covering the wood with special solutions: antiseptic, primer, treating it with wood bug protection, etc.;
- frame made of metal corner or pipe. To make vertical racks A pipe with a diameter of 40 mm is suitable. with a wall thickness of 2 mm. To strengthen the structure, intermediate connections can be installed. A 25mm pipe is suitable for them. with a wall thickness of 1.2 mm.
You can also use a corner measuring 40x60 with a metal thickness of over 2 mm.
Please note that the metal must also be treated with solutions that protect against corrosion.
- frame made of aluminum profile. Most purchased products are made from aluminum profiles. It is not subject to corrosion, but its cost is higher than the price of wood or metal.
- frame made of brick, stone or concrete pillars. Brick, rubble or concrete frame enough a rare event when constructing a polycarbonate shower.
Advice: despite the assurances of manufacturers, it is better not to use plastic pipes to make the frame of a summer shower. Along with high windage facing material(for example, polycarbonate), such a design will not be sufficiently stable.
Finishing material
It has already been mentioned above. It is important that the material is prepared for use in the conditions high humidity and the influence of atmospheric factors. For example, buy greenhouse film; it lasts for at least two years. The tree must be treated with an antiseptic, primer, or solution that prevents damage to the wood by bark beetles. Polycarbonate must have a protective layer that can withstand exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Corrugated sheeting is a high-quality polymer coating, otherwise rust will appear after the first season.
Shower tank (container)
The choice of tank is influenced by:
- the number of consumers for whom the shower is designed;
- manufacturing material. The tank can be steel, plastic or aluminum. Containers made from different materials, heat up at different rates and, accordingly, cool down differently;
- tank weight. The material of the frame depends on this;
- volume of the tank. There are tanks on the market with a volume from 50 to 220 liters;
- possibility of heating water in the tank;
- the presence of a central or private water supply, otherwise you will have to fill the barrel manually;
- possibility of transportation. You can buy a large tank, but it cannot be disassembled, and therefore the issues of transportation, lifting and installation of the tank should be taken into account in advance;
- tank color. The most common tanks are black or blue. These colors don't fade Sun rays, due to which the water in them warms up faster;
- The shape of the tank - round or flat - depends on how the frame for the tank is constructed. But users advise using a flat tank because it heats up faster and more evenly. In this case, the volume of a flat tank does not exceed 140 liters, and a cylindrical tank does not exceed 1000 liters.
Tip: you can make a water tank yourself. Any clean container with a filler neck with a screw cap will do for this. Most often, summer residents use a barrel.
- faucet, shower head, hose and fittings (for water supply).
It should be remembered that the water in the summer shower flows by gravity, so expect some pressure. But summer residents usually do not worry about this.
- pipe for draining water. If it is necessary to install it, it is better to give preference to a plastic pipe.
- The tool depends on what material will form the basis of the frame and what material will be used to finish the shower.
Stage 2 – summer shower scheme
It is quite possible to make a drawing of a summer shower on your own, but to have something to build on, we will give several options as an example.
When developing a shower design, decide in advance on the finishing material. Some types, for example, corrugated sheets or polycarbonate, are characterized by significant windage, and, therefore, it is necessary to provide for the installation of additional jumpers for structural rigidity.
Also consider the volume of the tank; the frame must be able to support the weight of the container filled with water.
Consider the size and installation location of the door that should open outward.
Stage 3 – design (dimensions of the summer shower)
Of course, an outdoor shower is not capital construction, but, nevertheless, it is worth taking a responsible approach to its design.
The dimensions of the shower depend on the preferences of the users, but are usually:
- width – 1000-1200 mm.
Tip: when designing the width of the shower, take into account the width of the door and the gap of 70-100 mm. for installing a door frame.
- length – 800-1200 mm.
If the shower also serves as a locker room, then it is better that its dimensions be at least 1000 by 1200. If a locker room is provided, then the shower itself can be reduced to 800x800, and the locker room can be arranged in accordance with its owner’s vision. If a toilet is expected, then the width is added accordingly and the device is taken into account cesspool or sewer line.
- height from 2000 mm. This option is not standard because it depends on:
- height of the tallest user with arms extended upward;
- location for installing the water tank. It is often installed directly below the shower ceiling;
- presence/absence of a shower tray.
- configuration. The summer shower has a predominantly square shape. However, polycarbonate allows you to make a shower round shape. And the developer’s imagination can generally go beyond the standards and build an unusual and beautiful summer shower from familiar (available) materials.
Advice: when creating a summer shower project, select its dimensions taking into account the consumption of material, especially those with standard sizes. For example, corrugated sheets or polycarbonate. It will be a shame if 100 mm is not enough or half is left unused, but they saved on the dimensions of the shower room.
Stage 4 – shower frame and water drainage
The drawings above show that the shower frame is a simple structure.
Regardless of the frame material, the manufacturing process will be approximately the same. But, nevertheless, there are several ways to make and install a frame.
Tip: a shower with a changing room (or with a toilet) requires the installation of additional vertical posts due to the fact that it has large dimensions compared to a shower without a changing room.
Option 1. Primitive shower frame
Weld the structure and secure it in the ground using metal rods. Rods more than a meter long, bent in half, are driven through the lower edge of the frame into the ground. This option is not widespread among users due to the fact that it does not provide the opportunity to organize drainage. The water used in the shower will wash away the rods and soon the frame can be overthrown even by a slight wind.
Option 2. Shower frame on a columnar foundation
First you need to install the vertical posts. To do this, using a drill, a layer of soil 500-800 mm deep is removed. Place a sand-crushed stone cushion at the bottom of the holes, install mortar-treated posts and fill them with concrete. In this case, the racks are set strictly according to the level.
Advice: wooden racks It’s better to tar it or wrap it in a layer of roofing material. This way the tree will be less susceptible to rotting.
After the concrete has hardened, they are attached to the vertical posts (by welding or hardware for metal frame, nails or special staples for wood) horizontal jumpers that will hold the tank, as well as lower jumpers. Their purpose is to hold the bottom edge of polycarbonate sheets or sheet metal and take on part of the weight of the entire frame.
Tip: when making the frame, you need to provide additional horizontal posts to install the door.
Additional oblique jumpers will add rigidity to the structure.
To ensure the drainage of used water, it is necessary to install a tray for a summer shower. To do this, you need to remove the soil from a surface with an area equal to the shower area plus 100 mm. The depth of the excavation will be 300-350 mm. Place a layer of crushed stone and sand at the bottom. Optimal height layer 150-200 mm. Inside the frame we make a bandage that serves as the base for the floor. Next, you can install a pallet or make a slatted floor.
To make a lattice floor, you need to lay logs on the horizontal lintels, and on them - boards 50-100 mm wide. The size of the gap depends on the width of the board and usually ranges from 5 mm (for 30x30 mm timber) to 20 mm (for boards 10 mm wide or more).
Advice: the gap should ensure rapid drainage of water and eliminate the possibility of injury to the legs.
Attention: in cool weather, the air flow from below (from under the floor) will make taking a shower not very comfortable.
Option 3. Shower frame on a foundation
For these purposes, it is better and easier to pour a foundation in the form of a monolithic slab. To understand how to make a foundation for a shower, you need to decide where the used water will go. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of the drainage pit.
Construction of a foundation for a summer shower
It is necessary to remove soil from a surface with an area equal to the shower area plus 100 mm. The excavation depth will be 300-350 mm. Fill the bottom of the hole with a layer of crushed stone and sand. The optimal height of the sand and gravel cushion is 150-200 mm. Tamp well and water with water. Then fill this cushion with concrete solution, taking care first to arrange the water drainage. To do this in concrete slab needs to be built in polymer pipe, and pour the foundation itself at an angle. So that the water flows by gravity into the pipe. And then it went either into the ground (in case of low frequency of use of the shower by several users) or into a special hole (in the event that many people use the shower). The second option to ensure water drainage would be to pour the foundation at an angle to the surface and install drainage at the place where the water drains.
After all the work has been completed, all metal and wooden parts of the frame are once again treated with primer or paint.
Tip: the paint must be suitable for use in conditions of high humidity.
User opinions. As for pouring the foundation, user opinions vary. Some believe that a polycarbonate shower, as a lightweight structure, does not require a foundation; it is enough to simply deepen the vertical posts of the frame and make a backfill of gravel. And some are convinced that the foundation will make the shower more reliable. In any case, it won’t hurt, the only thing is that it will entail slightly higher construction costs.
Stage 5 – floor for a summer shower
The construction of the floor involves the construction of a wooden flooring or the installation of a pallet.
Tip: A car mat placed on a concrete floor is suitable as a one-time measure.
Stage 6 – installation of a water tank
The tank is installed in a place previously prepared for it in the frame and attached to it.
Tip: You can speed up the heating of water in the tank by covering it with film or laying a polycarbonate sheet on top.
Stage 7 – electrical wiring
Supply of electricity and wiring, installation of heating elements (heated tank - heating element).
Finally, interior and exterior decoration is performed.
Conclusion
Thanks to this step by step instructions, now you know how to build a summer shower for your dacha with your own hands. Enjoy the coolness of the water in the midst of the hot summer.