What can the walls of a summer shower be made of. Summer shower - options and materials

It is unlikely that anyone will agree to deny themselves the pleasure of taking an outdoor shower, which allows them to refresh themselves at the end of a hard day's work. In this article, we will tell you how to make a summer shower with your own hands from various materials (polycarbonate, metal profiles, bricks, wood), show the exact dimensions, and also provide photo and video instructions.

Such an approach to the manufacture of a shower structure will allow you to save on expensive materials, and, no less important, to make a structure that best suits your individual preferences.

Site selection and options

A place for a shower is chosen, as a rule, in an open area, located at some elevation above the general level of a suburban area. Since solar energy is used to heat water in structures of this type, the place under them should not be located in the shade of trees and other high-rise objects.

It is known that summer shower cabins of various architectures are traditionally built in our summer cottages (including quite original designs). In this case, all of them can be reduced to the following versions:

• buildings of a light type without strong side walls;
• lightweight structures equipped with improvised side walls;
• capital shower houses with walls made of polycarbonate or similar material.

Consider each of the above embodiments in more detail.

Shower cubicle dimensions

Inside the shower cabin should be comfortable enough to easily bend over, turn around and stand freely. Therefore, you can build on these sizes:

• Height 2–3 m.
• Length 1.9 m.
• Width 1.4 m.

These sizes are quite comfortable. Considering the thickness of the walls, the room will decrease slightly. At the same time, the shower cubicle itself will have an average size of 1 × 1, as well as a dressing room of 0.6 × 0.4 m.

From improvised materials

The simplest design of a shower made from improvised materials includes a tank with a tap built into it, a standard shower head and a regular watering hose. Such a simple structure is installed near the house, and the tank is mounted on the wall or roof of the building at a height slightly higher than human height.

The location of the tank should be chosen in such a way that the sun's rays linger on it for as long as possible during the day.

After fixing the collection tank, a valve cock is built into it, on which a hose of suitable length is put on with a shower head installed at its end.

The convenience of this option for a summer shower is that in this case you can do without arranging a separate shower stall. The main thing to pay attention to is to protect the wall and roof of the house well from the damaging effects of moisture that accumulates near the tank. To this end, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe building in the area where the latter is located should be isolated with special water-repellent impregnations or simply covered with several layers of ordinary oilcloth.

Note that this embodiment has natural disadvantages, which are as follows:

• the place of taking a shower in this case is completely unprotected from the wind;
• a significant part of the daytime it will be in the shade of the house;
• there is a threat of gradual destruction of the walls of the house from moisture accumulating in this place.

Given all these shortcomings, the use of such structures is, as a rule, limited.

The process of building a wooden summer shower consists of several successive steps. First of all, you need to prepare a place. It must be well ventilated, as under the influence of constant exposure to moisture, the structure can quickly become unusable. Next, you need to dig a hole 1 × 1 m and a depth of 0.4 m. You fill it with rubble. This must be done so that the soapy water does not spread over the summer cottage, but has time to soak into the ground.

If you have organized a drain of sewage waste into a drain pit, then you skip this stage of preparation.

1. Sheathing frame clapboard.
2. Painting.
3. Tank installation.

Frame construction

Take boards with a section of 30 mm × 15 cm and make a 1 × 1 base. Attach 4 side beams to it, the section of which is 100 × 70 mm. They will serve as the basis for installing the tank. They must be installed in the grooves.

Frame sheathing

For sheathing the frame, you can use a false beam, blockhouse or lining. When mounting them, leave a gap of up to 3 mm between each bar. This also applies to the first at the base. In this case, under the influence of moisture, the product will be able to expand freely. If this is not taken into account, then the summer shower will turn into an "accordion".

Painting

When the plating is completed, you can start painting. To do this, the entire surface should be covered with antifungal impregnation. The next layer will be facade acrylic water-borne varnish. It is applied in 3 layers.

You should not save on varnish, so it is better to apply it in sufficient quantity. It is important to ensure that water slides easily over the surface of the walls and does not linger in the shower. Such painting is carried out both outside and inside.

Tank installation

To store water, you can install a tank of 100 liters. The tank can be made of different materials, stainless steel, plastic, etc. You can buy a ready-made tank just for this purpose. Some homeowners often find one or another container to install on an outdoor shower.

In conclusion, it remains to hang the curtain on the hooks. On average, such a shower can be built in 1-2 days.

Photo instructions for making a summer shower from wood

Another option for building a shower is to use polycarbonate. To build it, you will need to purchase the following building material:

• Polycarbonate. The sheet size is 2.1 × 1.2 m. For arranging a shower, a thickness of 8–15 mm will be enough. As for the choice of color, then choose one that is less transparent milky or bronze.
• For fastening, special hardware, tapes and corners will be required.
• Frame material such as wood, metal angle or pipe, brick, aluminum profile, etc.
• Shower tank.
• Shower diffuser.
• If necessary, a plastic pipe for the drain.

We have already discussed the general principle of constructing a frame for a summer shower made of wood above. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to some specific features in working with polycarbonate.

Any material, be it stone, wood or metal, can support the weight of polycarbonate. But there is one caveat. This material is distinguished by its windage, so the frame should be equipped with a sufficient number of cross-shaped, vertical and horizontal jumpers.

The thickness of the frame material for polycarbonate may be less than for wood.

Tank installation

The tank is mounted on an installed frame. Due to this, the water is heated in it by the sun's rays. Usually a flat tank is installed, but there are no strict rules here.

It is better to install a tank in a polycarbonate shower under the roof. Thus, there will be a greenhouse effect and the water will heat up much faster and cool down accordingly.

Installation of polycarbonate

If you want to make a locker room, you will need two sheets of polycarbonate. For walls, use opaque, and for the roof, use transparent, so the water will heat up faster. First of all, make blanks by cutting the sheets to the desired dimensions.

A polycarbonate sheet can be cut with an ordinary knife both along the voids and across.

Be sure to process the cut with sandpaper. Check for sawdust getting inside the comb. If yes, then they can be removed with a vacuum cleaner. To prevent chipping when drilling holes, step back from the edge of 3-4 cm. Drilling should be between the stiffeners. Be sure to cover the edges of the sheet with perforated tape. This is done so that debris, dust, water, etc. do not get inside the cells. As for the end part, use the end profile, H-shaped or angular.

To prevent condensation inside the honeycombs, drill thin holes in several places. Enough 3 holes per 1 m profile.

A photo

Video

In this video you will see how to make a wooden shower:

This video will talk about the possibility of a quick shower construction:

Scheme

Photo instruction of a summer shower on a plank base

The construction of a summer shower for a summer residence is not complete without questions related to the choice of material and the determination of the size of the structure. In addition, I want the building to be heated. This will make it possible to swim on cold days when the water in the tank does not have time to warm up from the sun. An important issue is the organization of drainage and discharge of dirty water. Today we will look at how to build a summer shower with our own hands, and we will try to address all the questions of interest.

A country shower is so simple that it does not require a detailed diagram. Usually withstand the standard dimensions of the booth 1000x1000x2200 mm. It is impossible to build a booth below, since part of the height will be taken by a wooden pallet, plus a watering can above your head. But the width and depth of the structure, it is desirable to individually select the physique of the owners. For example, an obese person in a small booth will be cramped, so the dimensions will have to be increased.

Drawing of a simple summer shower for a summer residence

If you decide to cultivate the building, build a dressing room with a dressing room, install benches and a table in it, drawings will already be needed here. Draw what you want to build, specify all dimensions. When drawing up a detailed diagram, consider the following points:

Wooden shower cubicle

Building a cabin out of wood is the most common option due to its ease of construction. Wood is an environmentally friendly material, easy to process. Its only drawback is susceptibility to moisture and bugs, so it requires additional processing. To build a wooden shower for a summer residence, you will need boards and timber, preferably from coniferous trees. You can, of course, use oak or larch. The material made from these types of wood is more durable, but it is more difficult to process. Having decided on the material, get to work:

1. Since we are building a wooden shower, we will make the frame from wood. The main load on the racks will create a tank of water. If its volume is about 200 liters, then the main racks must be installed from a bar with a section of 100x100 mm. To fix the door, install additional racks made of timber with a section of 50x50 mm. The distance between them is equal to the width of the doors themselves with the door frame.
2. Under all vertical racks, dig holes 80 mm deep. Fill the bottom of the pits with a 100 mm layer of crushed stone and sand.
3. To make the tree rot less in the ground, grease the edges of the timber with bitumen or machine oil. Top wrap with two layers of roofing material. Insert the posts into the pits, level them with a plumb line and concrete.
   
4. Another method to extend the life of the posts is to cast metal bushings. They can be made from pieces of a metal pipe with a diameter of 100 mm. When the concrete hardens, chop off the edges of the square beam with an ax to fit the inner diameter of the pipes and install them in the concrete bushings. Under the door pillars, similarly concrete bushings from a pipe of a smaller diameter.
5. When installing vertical racks, make the front ones from the side of the doors 100 mm higher than the rear ones. The difference in height will help build a pitched roof.
6. Connect the exposed racks around the perimeter from below and from above with horizontal jumpers, securing them with bolts. If you plan to make the floor in the form of a wooden lattice, reinforce the lower lintels with metal mounting corners. The jumpers will be supports for the logs and must support the weight of a person.
7. Now you need to make a frame for the tank from wooden jumpers fixed on top of the frame. A tank filled with water made of any material has an impressive weight, so the frame under it must be made strong.

   

   Flat water tank for water installed on the roof of the shower

8. Sheathe the sides of the cabin frame with a sanded board. Make a door from a board 20-25 mm thick. Cut it to the required length, lay it in a row and sew it with cross bars. Knock down the door frame from a board 40-50 mm thick and fix the door to it with hinges. Now the whole structure can be bolted to the door pillars.
9. Treat the finished booth with an antiseptic and cover with drying oil or varnish. Cover the door from the inside with a film so that water does not get on it.

Variants of wooden cabins for a summer shower

Polycarbonate cabin

It is easier to build a polycarbonate booth than a wooden one, but you will need welding experience. The fact is that for polycarbonate it is necessary to weld a frame from a metal profile. For racks, a profile with a section of 40x60 mm will go, and a smaller section can be used for strapping. The use of a wooden frame for polycarbonate is not desirable, since both materials tend to "play" from changes in weather conditions. From this, polycarbonate sheets can be deformed.

The manufacturing process of a metal frame for polycarbonate is similar to a wooden structure. Concrete the main racks, and then weld the upper and lower jumpers. Three jumpers must be made in the middle of the frame so that the polycarbonate sheets do not sag. The fourth is not needed. She will interfere with the doors. From above, weld the frame under the tank. Make a frame for the door from a profile with a section of 20x20 mm and fix it with hinges to the rack. Paint the entire structure with waterproof paint.

For sheathing, use opaque polycarbonate honeycomb sheets, 6-10 mm thick. Cut a large sheet into fragments according to the size of the booth with a circular saw. Fix the resulting polycarbonate plates to the frame with self-tapping screws with a thermal washer. The door is also sheathed with a sheet of polycarbonate. Bolt the handle and latch to the frame.

Polycarbonate shower option with dressing room

Shower tank

Cabin made of corrugated board

A good option for giving would be to build a cabin from corrugated board. Lightweight, strong and durable material will last for years. For a metal profile, both a metal and a wooden frame are suitable, but always with additional transverse bars. Sheets of corrugated board are soft, and additional emphasis will not interfere with them. We build any of the frames for the metal profile in the same way as the above options. In any case, weld the door frame from a metal profile.

Fastening the corrugated board is done with galvanized self-tapping screws with a sealing washer through one wave. First fix the sheets of corrugated board on the side walls, then sheathe the door. If you need to cut the material, use scissors or a special disc with teeth on the grinder so as not to burn the polymer coating of the corrugated board when cutting.

Cabin made of bricks

The construction of a brick cabin in the country requires the construction of a foundation. To do this, it is enough to dig a trench 200 mm wide and 400 mm deep along the perimeter of the future structure. Fill the trench with a brick battle and fill it with liquid concrete so that it seeps between it. A week after the concrete has set, start laying bricks on the cement mortar. Don't forget to install a box for the door. The door itself can be made of wood or a frame can be welded from a profile and sewn up with a sheet of corrugated board. On the last masonry, wall in wooden blocks across the building, preferably the thickness of the brick. They will lay the roof and fix the tank.

Installing the roof and tank

The material for the roof will need to be hard. Slate or corrugated board is well suited. After fixing the roofing material, drill a hole in the center of the roof. Place the tank on top so that the water supply tube passes through the hole. Screw the tap and watering can onto the tube.

The optimal tank capacity for a country shower is 200 liters. In the store you can buy a plastic or galvanized tank or make it yourself by welding from stainless steel. Any container with a neck for pouring water will serve as a tank. To make a shower for a cottage with heated water, mount a heating element with a power of 2 kW in a metal tank. Paint the top with black paint. The dark color attracts the sun's rays, and the water will heat up faster.

Scheme of the device of the tank for a summer shower with heating

If you install wood-burning titanium in a cabin in the country house, then in addition to hot water, you will get a heated room. Then you will need to install a second tank with cold water next to it.

Arrangement of the floor and drainage

The floor and drainage of the shower for giving can be done in two ways:

Summer shower in a country house

If there is free space, a country shower can be built in the house. To do this, it is better to purchase a shower stall in the store. Make a recess in the concrete floor and install the acrylic tray according to the product instructions. Connect the siphon on the pallet with a corrugated hose to the sewer. Seal the joints of the pallet to the floor with sealant. Further, according to the instructions, assemble the frame from the profile, install the doors, supply cold and hot water from the boiler.

As you can see, you can build a summer shower with your own hands in the country from almost any material. The main thing is to prepare drawings, material, tools and show aspiration.

In contact with

In the summer, many people prefer to spend in the country. And this is not surprising, because it is here that you can hide from the bustle of the city and unbearable heat. But in order to make your stay in a country house as comfortable as possible, you need to think about the construction of such a structure as a country shower. To implement this idea, first of all, you need imagination, because the building should be not only practical, but also beautiful. In addition, it is necessary to decide on the materials from which the construction of the shower will be ordered, because this is one of the main components of the “issue price”.

Some shower cabins do not even have to be built - they are delivered from the store ready-made. Source arhdecor.ru

Pros and cons of a summer shower

Today, for arranging a summer cottage and at home, a summer shower of various designs is used. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. This should be taken into account when choosing a design. Popular options include:

• Film shower. The design consists of metal and wooden elements, which are tightened with a film. The disadvantage of such a soul is its fragility. As for the pros, here you can highlight the ease of installation and mobility. If desired, it can be easily rearranged from one place to another. Often, metal corners are 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 apply and also comes off quickly. As for the shortcomings, it is worth highlighting the vulnerability from negative environmental factors. During operation, the design loses its attractive appearance.

One of the most durable solutions is a polycarbonate outdoor shower. Source demidovo52.ru

So, after analyzing all this, we can note several main advantages of a summer shower:

• profitability;
• ease of installation;
• practicality.

As for the shortcomings, among them one can distinguish 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 operated in the cold season or in bad weather.

Types of summer shower

For the manufacture of a modern shower, various materials and technologies are used. 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 easy to perform. For construction, environmentally friendly material is used, which has many advantages. The only drawback is the low resistance to moisture and insects. Therefore, wooden elements are treated with antiseptics. For construction, timber and boards are used. The best option would be coniferous wood, as it is highly resistant to a humid environment.

Combined options are often offered - a shower plus a 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 a bar, it is worth considering the load that will be created from the storage tank.
• Holes are dug under the racks, the depth of which is 80 cm. At the bottom, a pillow is made of crushed stone and sand, 10 cm thick.
• To protect the beam from rotting in the ground, it is coated with bitumen and wrapped with roofing material. After that, they are installed in the pit and leveled. Additional racks are installed at the door mounting points.
• From below and from above, the racks are connected by horizontal bars. For their fastening, bolts or corners are used.
• The sides of the booth are trimmed with a polished board. After that, all elements, including doors, are treated with paints and varnishes.

During construction, it is worth considering a way to drain waste water. As for its supply, storage tanks are installed on the roof, which have a different shape and volume.

You can order the construction of a full bathroom in the open air Source emupauto.ru

Polycarbonate construction

This design is somewhat easier to build. To perform the work you need a welding machine. This is necessary for the construction of a metal frame. As racks, a profile is used, the cross section of which is 40x60mm. For strapping use smaller products.

The installation of the frame is carried out in a similar way. Racks are concreted in pits. Jumpers are attached between them, which will give rigidity to the structure, and will also be used to fasten polycarbonate. A solid frame is welded on top, on which a water tank will be installed. After that, the entire structure is covered with waterproof paint.

For finishing, opaque sheet polycarbonate is used, the thickness of which is from 6 to 10 mm. A circular saw is used to cut the material.

Polycarbonate shower warms up like a greenhouse Source prosamodelki.ru

Shower from corrugated board

As a summer shower, you can also use a corrugated board structure. This material is lightweight and durable. For the construction of the frame, wooden blocks and a metal profile of a certain section are used.

The construction of the shower is carried out in a similar way. Racks are connected by a transverse profile, which will give the structure rigidity. To fix the finishing material, galvanized self-tapping screws equipped with sealing washers are used. Doors are a frame made of a profile, which is sheathed with corrugated board. To cut the material, use scissors for metal or a grinder with a toothed disk.

Neat booths from corrugated board Source tltext.ru

On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer the service of installation of metal structures. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

brick shower

To build a shower cabin of brick, you need to make a shallow foundation. To do this, a trench 20 cm wide and 40 cm deep is dug around the perimeter. To save on the construction of the base, broken brick or stone is thrown into the concrete mortar.

When the concrete hardens, laying on the cement mortar is performed. At the same time, a doorway of the required size is arranged. The door can be made of wood or a metal frame sheathed 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 capital building Source ydachadacha.ru

Choosing a place on the site and arranging a base for an outdoor shower

When constructing a summer shower in the country, special attention is paid to the choice of location. It is worth considering some factors:

• Water should warm up well. Therefore, the structure is mounted in a sunny place. Trees and buildings will cast a shadow on the cabin, which will negatively affect solar heating.
• When choosing a place, it is worth considering 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 a shower cabin 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 the construction of the soul. First of all, this concerns the need to build a base for the cabin.

It makes sense to install an outdoor shower only in an open sunny place Source domadachi.ucoz.ru

The foundation for an outdoor shower is arranged when it comes to a stationary structure that has significant weight. First of all, this applies to buildings made of bricks, blocks and other materials. A popular option is the arrangement of a tiled foundation, which will also serve as a floor in the cabin. The build process looks like this:

• Marking and cleaning of the place from thickets and debris.
• The pit breaks out. If we are talking about the construction of a brick cabin, then a pit 15 cm deep will be enough.
• A sand cushion no more than 5 cm high is laid on the bottom. It is carefully compacted.
• Concrete is being poured. The surface must be carefully leveled to avoid the need for floor screeding.

Also, for the construction of a summer shower, you can use a columnar and strip foundation. In the first case, with the help of a drill, holes are made 1 m deep, into which support pillars are subsequently installed. If hollow pipes are used for this, then they are poured with concrete mortar.

The foundation must provide holes for draining and supplying water. Source liveinternet.ru

As for the strip foundation, here we are talking about a shallow structure. For the arrangement, you need a trench 40 cm deep and 20 cm wide. When pouring, reinforcement is performed with several reinforcement bars. This will give the structure durability and strength.

Shower cabin installation

A shower cabin in the country can be made on site or purchased at a store. Today, a wide range of ready-made structures is presented on the market. When choosing them, it is worth considering the following factors:

• The size. The shower cabin should be convenient to use for all family members. Therefore, it is worth relying on the most overall user.
• Material. The cabin should optimally fit into the landscape design. Also, the material must 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 stock.
• Price. There are designs on the market in a wide price range. So, you can purchase a product for 5 thousand rubles or for 15 thousand rubles.

Even the most economical option will be quite functional source seattlehelpers.org

The structure is installed on a flat prepared place. It is best to make a monolithic concrete platform, which will give stability to the cabin during operation. During the construction of the cabin, a number of specific processes are performed:

• plum arrangement;
• foundation construction, if necessary;
• the frame is being erected, and its finishing is being carried out;
• a tank is installed and connected to the water.

Construction features directly depend on the material used in the construction, as well as the preferences of the owner of a country house.

Video description

In the following video, you can evaluate 30 summer shower design ideas:

Summer shower insulation

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 competently conduct insulation around the perimeter. For this use:

• Mineral wool. This is an environmentally friendly material that is very easy to install. The mats are laid in the frame, after which it is sheathed from the inside. To prevent moisture from entering the material, it is covered with an impervious film.

source seattlehelpers.org

• Glass wool. If desired, it can be used to warm the shower in the country. Of course, when working with it, you need to be careful, and carefully follow the installation instructions.
• Waterproof foam. It is a modern material that is optimally suited for warming an outdoor shower. To do this, it is enough to use plates with a thickness of 5 cm. They fit into the frame, on top of which the interior walls are finished.

Insulation design allows you to use it even in bad weather. Of course, it should be understood that thermal insulation is relevant only in the case of closed showers.

Installation of a tank for a shower, water supply and heating

The choice of tank should be approached very carefully. In this case, it is worth considering some recommendations of professionals:

• Metal containers heat up faster in the sun. Plastic containers are distinguished by their durability, due to resistance to corrosive processes. They also have a small weight, which will reduce the load on the frame.
• The water tank should be painted in a dark color, which will speed up the heating. This is ensured by better heat absorption.

Most often, a dark-colored shower tank Source eem.ru.net

• The tank must be sealed to prevent dust and dirt from entering the water.
• Before installation, holes are made in the tank for a tap and a water supply.

Today in the store you can find ready-made designs that have a watering can, tube, faucet and fittings in their kit. A sensor for monitoring the water level and its temperature will not be superfluous. The container is installed and fixed on the prepared frame.

Water pipes are used to supply water to the shower:

• A trench is being dug at the pipeline site. Its depth should be greater than the level of soil freezing. This will protect the system from frost.
• The pipeline is being assembled. Particular attention is paid to the junction of pipes. They must be tight and reliable. At the end of the line, a water tap is installed, 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 electrical cable is buried in the same trench with the pipe. This will make the job 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, you can increase the volume of heated water Source fishing-caravan.ru

If necessary, the garden shower can have independent water heating. A common option is to install heating elements. Also, heating is carried out using a boiler or a gas boiler of low power. When installing these heating elements, safety requirements should be taken into account.

Solar panels are also used for heating. This is a glass box with a coil inside. With its help, a greenhouse effect is created, which leads to water heating.

Video description

And a few more options for arranging a summer shower in the following video:

Organization of water drainage in the summer shower

There are several ways to arrange a drain in a summer shower. So, water can be diverted into a filtration well or into a filtration field. In the latter version, channels are arranged between the beds. This will allow you to simultaneously irrigate the site at no extra cost.

Withdrawal is carried out in an open and closed way. In the first option, ditches are made at a slight slope from the collection point. Often this option is used on moisture-resistant soils. The closed method involves laying pipes in the ground.

It is necessary to decide where the used water will drain, given that it will be soapy. Source pol-exp.com

Conclusion

A summer shower in the country is an inexpensive, but in any case, a useful design that is quite simple and does not take long to install. Even if you have not quite decided on the material and design, you can always additionally consult with a manager in a store or a construction company who will tell you incomprehensible nuances and help you make the right choice.

An outdoor shower is one of the most significant buildings on a suburban area. How to equip a shower in the country with your own hands, having built a reliable and durable structure with a minimum of financial investment? Guided by the advice of the master, you can easily cope with the task.

In the hot months, the presence of a summer shower is one of the conditions for a comfortable stay in a suburban area. The shower gives you the opportunity to freshen up after a hard day, removing the accumulated fatigue and energizing for new things.

Summer shower of a simple layout at their summer cottage

There is nothing complicated in building a shower in the country with your own hands. You just need to sketch a drawing and decide on the size of the future structure, prepare the necessary materials and allocate some free time.

Outdoor shower design

There are many options for arranging a summer shower. It could be a simple timber frame structure with a small tank on top and a curtain to keep out the wind and prying eyes. Or a full-fledged cabin with strong walls and a roof that can withstand a heavy barrel filled with water.

Summer shower design options

But in any case, an outdoor shower should be comfortable and spacious. Thinking over the dimensions of the future shower stall, keep in mind that it is necessary to provide a place protected from water splashes for storing bath accessories and hanging clothes. This will require from 40 to 60 cm of floor space.
According to the experience of the masters who have already built a shower in the country with their own hands, for a comfortable adoption of water procedures, there is a sufficient room with a size of 160x100 cm or 190x140 cm and a height of 2.5-5 meters.

Tip: A small drawing or a simple drawing will help you correctly calculate the required amount of building materials, preventing unnecessary costs.

Site selection

The design of the summer shower assumes that the water will be heated from solar heat. Therefore, it is better to allocate a well-lit area for the installation of a shower cabin, where the sun's rays will actively warm up the water tank throughout the daylight hours.

The best place to build a shower is a sunny place.

When choosing a place, it is worth considering the convenience of water supply, ensuring, if possible, automatic filling of the tank.
It would be wise to take care in advance about the flow of water by placing the structure on a natural elevation, or by making a small embankment for this so that after washing it enters the septic tank or sump.

Foundation preparation

When building a lightweight frame structure, laying the foundation is not at all necessary, but when building a stationary summer shower, this stage of work cannot be bypassed.
To carry out the work you will need:

• Roulette and level;
• Pegs and lace;
• Bayonet shovel;
• garden drill;
• Pieces of roofing material;
• Metal grid;
• Crushed stone and sand;
• cement mortar.

Preparing the base for the summer shower

The dimensions of the foundation depend on the building materials from which the building will be built. For the construction of a shower of cinder block or brick for the arrangement of a slab foundation, it will be necessary to dig a pit about 15 cm deep.
The work is carried out in several stages. Having decided on the place for arranging the summer shower, they prepare the site:

1. With the help of a tape measure, pegs and a cord, a site of the required size is marked out.
2. In the designated area, a layer of turf is removed with a depth of 15 cm.
3. Level the base of the pit.
4. The bottom of the pit is lined with a "cushion" of sand and poured with mortar, creating a flat surface.

Tip: If it is planned to use a wooden or metal frame as the floor of the shower room, before pouring the base, it is necessary to prepare a place for racks by installing sticks of the required diameter vertically wrapped with roofing felt.

Foundation laying

When performing a floor screed, it is better to use a level and guides, because only a horizontal surface can become a reliable basis for the entire structure. At this stage of construction, it is also worth taking care of arranging the drain, in parallel with the concrete tie, by completing a gutter reinforced with a metal mesh.

The foundation for the construction of a capital summer shower

Using a columnar or pile foundation for a frame summer shower, you do not have to dig a pit. It is enough to make holes about 1 meter deep using a garden drill at the place of installation of the support pillars.
It is necessary to insert metal racks into them, the height of which is 1.2 m, and D = 90 mm, so that the racks rise above the ground by 20 cm. Hollow pipe columns are filled with cement mortar diluted with crushed stone and sand in a ratio of 1: 5 :3 and wait until it acquires the necessary strength.

Important: To extend the life of metal poles, the ends buried in the ground must be pre-treated with used engine oil.

Drain arrangement

A septic tank for a summer shower is best placed not under the shower cabin, but at a short distance from it. This will prevent it from flooding with large volumes of water, thereby preventing the destruction of the foundation and soil.

For its arrangement, they dig a hole about 2 meters deep, decorating the walls with brick or cinder block masonry. Some craftsmen use car tires for this purpose, laying them on top of each other in the form of a well. A chute is brought to the finished septic tank to drain the water and covered with a shield knocked down from wooden boards.

Option for arranging a drain for a summer shower

It is better to arrange the walls of the gutter for water drainage with a waterproof material: roofing material, hydrostekloizol or ordinary PVC film. It is placed under a slope so that the drain is directed towards the drainage tank.
In the shower stall itself, a metal or enameled tray is installed, which can be purchased at any specialized store without much hassle. From it, water will flow directly into the gutter.

Tip: You can partially solve the issue of soil drainage by planting moisture-loving perennials near the shower stall, such as bathing suit, buzulnik, hazel grouse, iris, loosestrife.

Frame erection

A summer shower made of beams or boards is one of the most popular options for a building that is needed in the household. For the construction of the structure, it is better to use conifers, the main advantage of which is:

• high density;
• moisture resistance;
• High resin content;
• Ability to withstand heavy loads.

Beam shower frame

For the construction of the frame, bars of 100x100 mm are used. First, the lower frame is assembled, fixing it by means of a bolted connection to the support posts or screw piles. When mounting, it is better to use long bolts with full coincidence of the axes.

Having installed vertically wooden supports, perform the upper trim. To give the structure additional stability, the side frames are fixed with spacers.
Planed coniferous wood is excellent as a sheathing. It has a presentable appearance and harmoniously fits into the surrounding landscape.

Important: To extend the life of wood, it is desirable to treat it with an antiseptic and water-repellent composition, or simply coat it with 1-2 layers of varnish for outdoor use.

Building the walls of a wooden summer shower

Special seals will help to ensure a snug fit of the door. The door to the booth also needs to be painted or proliferated.
For interior decoration of the booth, you can use plastic panels, oilcloth or linoleum. Photos with interesting design options can be peeped on the Internet.

Barrel installation

When choosing a barrel of the required volume, they are usually guided by the formula that up to 40 liters of water is enough for one person. To equip a summer shower for a family of three or four, it is enough to install a 200-liter barrel. If you choose between a plastic and metal container, then it is worth noting that plastic is lighter in weight, but metal (painted dark) heats up faster.

Different schemes for supplying water with natural heating

A little trick: To ensure faster heating of water, the outer surface of the roof under the barrel can be lined with reflective material such as galvanizing or foil.
The container is laid on the roof and fixed with straps. It remains only to choose the desired scheme for supplying water to the cabin:

• cut two holes for filling with water and connecting a faucet with a diffuser, fill the container and enjoy water procedures.
• the pedal scheme is similar to the first one, but water is supplied using a pedal and not a valve, as in the first case.

The second option is more complex, but at the same time very economical. water enters the shower dosed and at the right time, which is very convenient. Both options with natural water heating. It is also possible to connect electric water heating. The presence of an electric heater in a barrel entails the rejection of a barrel made of simple plastic (it is better to use metal) and the inclusion of another container for supplying cold water in the circuit.

Scheme for arranging a tank for a summer shower

Cold water will save a lot of electricity, because washing only with heated water is not very practical and convenient, because there is no way to adjust the temperature of the water supply. You will also need a mixer or some kind of circuit with two taps and the need for electricity supply. Although electricity is desirable anyway, it is necessary to light the shower.

Building a shower in the country: video

Naturally heated shower: video

Summer shower in the country: photo

A summer resident who wants to preserve his health and good mood, after field work, should wash off the dust and put on clean clothes. And for this, a shower cabin is needed on the site. You can make such a structure with your own hands, observing all the subtleties of construction.

Types of country shower

The problem of adopting hygiene procedures at their summer cottage can be solved in several ways. Consider them, moving from simple to complex.

portable

The portable device is sold as a set in a suitcase container. There are two varieties:

• with a soft polymer hanging bag with a volume of 16-20 l, equipped with a sprayer;
• with a pump - suction depth up to 1.5 m - to which a shower head is connected with a hose.

A bag or a watering can can be hung just on a tree, but then you will have to wash in a bathing suit or swimming trunks. To bathe completely, you will need to build a kind of shower cabin from an opaque rolled material, such as polyethylene film or polypropylene (PP) tarpaulin, which is more preferable because it does not stick to the body.

Lightweight shower design can be installed anywhere - no foundation required

Such a fence is easiest to place near the wall of the house. Firstly, it is convenient to attach a cornice to the wall for hanging curtains, therefore, racks are not needed; secondly, in this case, the fence is required only on three sides. Thus, the cornice can be made semicircular by bending the heated PP pipe.

Pins or pipe sections are embedded in the wall, on which the cornice will be mounted. You will also need to attach a holder for hanging a bag or shower head with dowels.

The location of the shower near the wall of the house helps to save materials

The advantages of a portable shower are as follows:

• low cost;
• mobility;
• no need not only for any construction, but even for the organization of a cesspool: water can drain directly into a flower bed.

It is clear that one should not expect anything special from this purely hiking option. The disadvantages will be:

• the possibility of operation only in hot weather;
• lack of water heating;
• the impossibility of frequent and long-term use, since the soil at the place where water drains can quickly turn sour.

Modular

A modular shower is a completely finished cabin, often equipped with adjustable legs. The owner of such a shower will also not have to deal with drainage issues, since there is a built-in septic tank inside, the filler of which will need to be changed periodically.

The module is fully equipped and ready for operation.

The only drawback is the significant cost, which not every summer resident is ready to put up with.

Light summer shower

For a summer shower, a frame is made of polypropylene pipes, sheathed with rolled or rigid sheet material. Walls can also be formed from improvised materials, for example, from a willow vine like a wattle fence.

A garden shower with a wicker cabin looks attractive in a summer cottage

But it is best to use matte (non-visible) sheet polycarbonate - it partially transmits solar heat. An attractive feature of this material is that it can be bent to form a rigid, self-supporting wall (prestressed structure). Thus, the frames for the round shower enclosure made of polycarbonate will not be needed - the frame will consist of only two rings of PP pipe (they are also prestressed) located at the top and bottom.

Polycarbonate is not visible, but it transmits sunlight well

Requirements for polycarbonate are minimal: the cheapest 4 mm sheet with a 2R structure from any manufacturer will do.

A small water tank is installed on top of the cab, which may have an electric heater (today such tanks are commercially available).

Water tank can be heated

Being designed for full-scale use, such a shower needs a cesspool, and therefore you cannot attach it to the wall of the house. The cesspool, in order to avoid washing away the foundation with infiltrate, should be at least 15 m away from the house. But construction still cannot be considered difficult, since a foundation is not required for a light and plastic building even with high heaving of the soil.

All that needs to be done is to remove the fertile layer of soil and fill it with sand and gravel in layers of the same thickness (at least 15 cm each), then drive reinforcing bars into the ground, on which the frame will be put on.

In case of skew due to ground movements, the frame is made collapsible, connecting the PP pipes and corners not by welding, but by self-tapping screws (for this, the corners need to be taken a size larger). The shower will be easy to repair by replacing damaged parts. Self-tapping screws must be used phosphated - they can be recognized by their black color. Diameter - 4.2 mm.

As a soft lining, it is best to use PP tarpaulin. In cool weather, in a cabin made of such material it will be warmer than in polyethylene, and in hot weather it will not be so stuffy.

A significant disadvantage of a light shower is suitability for use only in warm weather.

All weather

"All-weather" implies the possibility of use throughout the summer season, including early spring and late autumn, when it is relatively cold outside. The building is also a frame, but in comparison with the previous version, it has a number of improvements:

• in addition to the washing department, there is a dressing room;
• the walls are equipped with insulation;
• there is heating.

The frame must be built from wood or rolled metal - PP pipes have too low strength. Due to the weak resistance of these materials to the effects of dampness, it has to be raised above the ground, which requires a pile or column foundation. Sturdy frame allows you to install a more capacious water tank.

All-weather shower has two compartments

Capital

A building built of brick or foam blocks. Construction is time-consuming and expensive, but in terms of durability, such a shower far exceeds all others.

The foundation can be made in the form of a solid monolithic slab - due to the small size of the structure, it will not require large expenses.

Foundation shower required

Choice of frame material

Before starting construction, you need to choose the frame material. As it was said, plastic pipes disappear due to insufficient strength, so there are two options to choose from: wood or rolled metal.

Wood

Positive sides:

• low cost;
• ease of processing.

The disadvantage is a short service life, explained by susceptibility to decay and drying out.

Bars of a certain section are suitable for the frame

Specifically, you will need the following lumber:

• for the lower harness: insulated shower - timber with a section of 150x150 mm, light - from 60x60 mm (optimal - 100x100 mm);
• for racks, oblique connections and top trim: board with a section of 100x40 mm.

Rolled metal

It is important to understand that in this case we are not talking about galvanized metal profiles with a thickness of 1.5–2.5 mm - this material is not suitable for such tasks. A channel with a height of 50–80 mm is used as the lower trim, racks and other elements of the frame are made of a square pipe from 25x25 mm with a wall of 1.5 mm to 40x40 mm with a wall of 2 mm.

A shower room with such a frame will cost much more than a wooden one, and it’s more difficult to build it - steel is more difficult to process, and electric welding will be needed to connect the parts. But on the other hand, the gain will be significant: the frame will be stronger and more durable.

Metal construction is more durable

Calculation of the dimensions of the shower

The drawing shows the dimensions of the shower

Choosing a waste disposal method

Even if a cesspool or a septic tank for a toilet has already been built on the site, the shower room must be equipped with a separate structure. This is due to the presence of a large amount of alkali and surfactants in the shower drains, which can destroy the beneficial microflora in the septic tank.

Sanitary standards prescribe to make cesspools with a volume of 2 m 3 or more. But such a requirement is relevant for standard drains. In the case of a shower, their size will be much smaller, so the volume of the pit can be reduced. Since, due to the need to heat water, the shower somehow has to be taken with long pauses, its size can be taken equal to the volume of the shower tank for water.

Another important question is to what depth sewage can be dumped into the ground so that the chemistry contained in them does not poison the fertile layer. With a volley discharge of up to 50 l or a gradual discharge of up to 100 l / h, the safe depth is two thicknesses of the fertile layer. The country shower in these figures quite keeps within.

Therefore, instead of a full-fledged cesspool, a drainage well can be made from a metal barrel 0.85 mm high and with a volume of 200 liters. It can be guaranteed that such a height will be enough for sure, since a fertile layer over 40 cm thick is quite rare in summer cottages.

With a small thickness of humus, a smaller plastic barrel can also be used, the main thing is that it should not be smaller in volume than a shower tank for water.

You can build such a well right under the shower.

The wastewater receiver must be at least as large as the storage tank

If you decide, as is often advised, to make a drainage well from old tires, then do not forget to periodically disinfect it with bleach: water will stagnate in the interior of the tires.

Instrument preparation

The builder must have the following:

• pegs and a skein of twine - for marking the territory;
• garden drill;
• shovel and bayonet shovels;
• bubble and water (hose) levels;
• plumb;
• roulette;
• wood saw;
• grinder with a cutting disc for metal;
• drill;
• hammer, screwdriver (or screwdriver);
• marker, chalk or pencil for marking materials.

At the installation site of the shower, the upper fertile soil layer is completely cut off to the underlying one.

Pile foundation construction

Piles must be installed at the corners of the building and, if necessary, along the perimeter so that the distance between adjacent supports does not exceed 1.5 m. -45 cm above the ground. This height is determined by the sum of the heights of the low tray (see below), the siphon attached to it and the ventilation gap, which should be 20–25 cm.

The height of the pile above the ground should be approximately 30-45 cm

Piles should be used bored. They are created in the following way:

If the ground is weak and you need to increase the bearing area, get a camouflage nozzle for the drill. It allows you to make a widening at the base of the well, in which, after pouring concrete, a so-called camouflage heel is formed.

Another option: you can use as piles pieces of steel pipe with a diameter of 60 to 150 mm, the ends of which are flattened by sledgehammer blows. For driving, the same sledgehammer or headstock is used, made from a suitable piece of cast iron. The disadvantage of such piles is the high corrosion rate, which is due to the lack of waterproofing. In a bored pile, the concrete is protected from moisture by a pipe (asbestos must be coated with bituminous mastic).

Construction of a drainage well

The well is built in the following sequence:

1. A pit is dug with a depth equal to the height of the barrel.
2. A barrel with a cut off bottom is installed in a recess. If it does not have a cover, but only has a narrow neck, then an inspection hatch must be cut out in the upper plane. For him, you will need to pick up a tight-fitting lid.
3. Backfilling of the excavation is in progress.
4. Small crushed stone is poured inside the barrel with a layer of 15–20 cm thick.

   Crushed stone is a good filter

5. In a thin stream, a liquid clay solution is evenly poured onto the backfill, prepared at the rate of 1–1.5 kg of clay (any one will do) onto a bucket of water. The pouring of the solution is stopped only when it completely covers the rubble.
6. After the solution has dried (it will take 1-2 days), the filter should be well agitated by repeated piercing over the entire surface with a sharpened reinforcing rod. If there is a welding machine, then for the convenience of work, the upper part of the barrel can be cut off, and after laying the filter, it can be welded again.

   There is a filter inside the plastic container.

Frame construction

You can start building the frame of the soul.

Floor device

The floor in the shower room should be made of tongue and groove board, which is laid along the short side of the building. With a thickness of 40 mm, the boards can have a span without supports up to 1.5 m, therefore, logs are not needed.

The tongue and groove board is laid along the short side of the shower enclosure

To protect wood from moisture and decay, it is best to use the following method:

1. The boards are treated twice with a water-polymer emulsion with a time interval between treatments of about 1 hour.
2. Further, the wood dries during the day. This process can be accelerated by laying the material in the sun. Then, if the weather is warm (in the shade +22 ° C or more), it will be ready by the evening (when processing is done in the morning).
3. The next step is impregnation with an antiseptic. It is desirable that it be warm outside, and the boards warm up well in the sun before processing. Please note that some formulations are designed for pressure treatment - read the instructions carefully.
4. After 4 hours, acrylic varnish is applied in two layers. The second layer - after drying the first (usually dries during the day). When the second layer dries, you can start laying the boards.

In the same way, the frame and outer skin can be processed if they are wooden. Only instead of varnish, heated bituminous mastic should be applied in 2-3 layers.

Pallet installation

Drainage can be arranged using a linear drain installed along the wall, but it would be more rational to install a shower tray in the washing compartment. Recommended Specs:

1. Type: choose a model that installs in a cutout in the floor, not on legs (low tray).
2. Size: the most popular - 100x100 cm.
3. Material: enameled steel (acrylic in the countryside wears out quickly due to the large amount of sand).

You can purchase a pallet with a side length equal to the width of the shower - then it can be supported directly on the bottom trim.

You can install a ready-made tray in the shower

Work order:

If you want to have a lattice without fail wooden, for example, from bars with a section of 30x30 mm, the wood should be processed in the same way as the floor boards. It is advisable, if the costs are not frightening, to use the same composition for repairing bathtubs instead of acrylic varnish - the coating will be more resistant to abrasion by the soles.

The grate is treated in the same way as the floor boards before use.

When entering a low pallet, unlike a high one, the user takes a normal step, as a result of which there is a high probability of slipping. Therefore, it is desirable to lay the same grate in the pallet.

Frame sheathing

Now you can sheathe the walls, install the roof and the door. The sheathing is made double: from the inside, for example, plastic panels are installed, then foam plastic is glued to them and the entire building is sheathed from the outside. The most attractive in the role of outer skin looks professional flooring. Vinyl siding or plastic lining will be more affordable.

An opening window must be provided in the upper part of one of the cabin walls.

An opening window should be provided in the upper part of the wall for ventilation and natural light.

The roof of the shower room is made single-pitched with a slight slope. You can use the same corrugated board, hemming it from below with foam and plastic panels.

You can separate the washing and changing rooms with a curtain. It is desirable that it be waterproof, otherwise, being indoors, the material will dry for a long time and will soon soak. For this reason, a tarp will not work - it is better to use ordinary polyethylene.

Tank installation

A country shower tank can be purchased at the store. In this case, it will only need to be installed on the roof and connected to electricity (if there is a heating element), water supply and a watering can. If you intend to make a tank yourself, consider the following requirements:

1. It is imperative to provide for the presence of sanitary drainage - a tube with a stopcock through which absolutely all the water can be drained (the source is located at the lowest point and flush with the bottom).
2. But the pipe for supplying water to the shower head cannot be placed at the very bottom, otherwise sediment will pour on the user's head.
3. If you plan to connect the tank to the water supply by installing a float valve, then you need to add an overflow with a flow area twice the size of the valve. The tank lid must be at a sufficient distance from the float so that it is guaranteed to be able to rise and completely shut off the tap.

The float must be able to completely shut off the tap

If the user assumes to pour water into the tank manually, the design will be somewhat different.

The manual filling tank differs in the height of the water inlet pipe

As you can see, the pipe for supplying water to the watering can is located at the bottom, since the water level is constantly decreasing during the adoption of the procedure.

Most often, a steel barrel laid horizontally serves as a blank for a homemade tank. Due to the cylindrical surface, the sediment is completely removed from it. At the top, you need to cut out a wide inspection hatch, which will make it possible not only to fill the tank and monitor its condition, but also cover it from the inside with an acrylic composition for repairing bathtubs or enamel for yachts.

You can also use a plastic barrel. Since it is impossible to weld the pipes to it, in this capacity, threaded fittings with a flange are installed on the gaskets, fixed from the outside with a nut and washer. Fortunately, the wide neck, which is equipped with plastic barrels, allows you to do this. It is important that the diameter of the washer and flange is at least 3 times the outer diameter of the fitting (usually products with M12 - M16 threads are used), but at the same time it is not less than 40 mm. Otherwise, the fitting may warp due to temperature deformations.

It is better to install the barrel horizontally

A watering can and water supply are connected (if provided). In this case, the connection can be made not with pipes, but with a reinforced garden hose on clamps - it will be easier and cheaper. A shower head should be chosen special - with a valve.

If a heating element is installed in the tank, heating the water is not a problem. In this case, you will also have to heat the shower inside before visiting with electricity, for example, with a fan heater. However, due to the high cost of electricity, this method of heating water does not suit everyone. In addition, it will not be possible to equip a home-made tank with a heating element in accordance with all the rules, since emergency automation is required (protection against overheating of the heating element with a large amount of sediment and boiling water).

As an alternative, the following solution can be proposed: the tank is connected with the supply and return pipelines to the hot water unit, through which the water will circulate, gradually heating up. Circulation will be provided by a circulation pump similar to those used in heating systems. With a large diameter of pipes in the mains and the heat exchanger, the installation of a pump is not necessary - the water will circulate due to convection. In this case, the heat exchanger must be positioned so that its “hot” side is higher than the “cold” side. In this case, the heated water should be able to immediately rush up.

The role of a water heating unit can be:

1. Solar collector. You can make a simple option yourself by placing a battery of black-painted steel, copper or aluminum pipes in a glass-covered box. A factory-made collector will require purchase costs, but its efficiency is much higher due to the use of modern technologies: some modern models are capable of heating water up to +70 ° C in cloudy conditions and 20-degree frost.

   Solar collector - an economical and environmentally friendly way to heat water using natural energy

2. Solar oven. It is a system of reflectors that focus sunlight from a large area on the coil. Reflectors should be precisely foiled, since an ordinary mirror reflects well only the visible range, and absorbs IR rays.

   The solar oven can be made independently according to the pattern

3. Cooking oven. Quite often, such a structure is erected in country houses in order to cook food. It is possible to embed a hot water register connected to the tank in it.
4. Gas stove. If a stove connected to a gas cylinder is used instead of a stove, then a hot water circuit made of a copper tube with a diameter of 6–10 mm can be laid in the form of loops around the burners. Now the heat that previously simply escaped during cooking will be absorbed by the water in the shower tank.

If there is a water heating unit for heating the washing room, it is necessary to install any thin-walled heating radiator in it and draw a “return” through it.

On this, the process of building an all-weather shower can be considered completed.

Video: building a wooden shower in a summer cottage

Operation features

In rural areas, a wide variety of pathogenic microorganisms always enter the water tank. In order not to turn the shower into a breeding ground for infection, it is highly advisable to regularly empty the container through the sanitary drainage, draining all the accumulated sediment with water. If, however, a break of a week or more is expected in the use of the shower, this procedure must be performed without fail.

A simple factory-made shower cabin costs about 10 thousand rubles. For the same money, or even less, you can build a warm and durable country shower with a dressing room. As you can see, the game is worth the candle, so you can, armed with our advice, get down to business.