Hello friends,
We are currently planning a single-family house and want to create a large "recreation" area in the basement next to the utility room and technical room, where people will enjoy spending time.
We have planned a large room with a whirlpool/sauna and a small fitness studio. I wanted to ask here if anyone who has done this before might have tips on what works well and what you definitely should or should not do?
Here is what I have gathered so far:
Sauna:
- A 2-person wooden sauna is planned → Requires a high-voltage power supply
- A bathtub/whirlpool is planned → Needs water supply and drainage, possibly a lift station; is that always necessary?
- Underfloor heating is a MUST (no one wants a cold wellness basement) and of course at least one window/light well, preferably two, to allow air to circulate and prevent dampness
- I will consider a network connection for a Sonos speaker or similar for relaxing music
- As much tiling as possible is preferred
- Does anyone have further tips or information?
Fitness studio:
- A small setup with short and long dumbbells, weight bench, one cardio machine (stepper or treadmill), mats, and wall mirrors is planned
- I’m unsure here: tiles or laminate? I plan to cover the entire floor with a protective mat anyway, but which option is more resistant if a heavy weight accidentally falls? Could tiles break?
- We also plan to have a window here, as it might get stuffy during workouts 😀
I would really appreciate any tips and DO’s and DON’Ts!
Best regards
Elias
We are currently planning a single-family house and want to create a large "recreation" area in the basement next to the utility room and technical room, where people will enjoy spending time.
We have planned a large room with a whirlpool/sauna and a small fitness studio. I wanted to ask here if anyone who has done this before might have tips on what works well and what you definitely should or should not do?
Here is what I have gathered so far:
Sauna:
- A 2-person wooden sauna is planned → Requires a high-voltage power supply
- A bathtub/whirlpool is planned → Needs water supply and drainage, possibly a lift station; is that always necessary?
- Underfloor heating is a MUST (no one wants a cold wellness basement) and of course at least one window/light well, preferably two, to allow air to circulate and prevent dampness
- I will consider a network connection for a Sonos speaker or similar for relaxing music
- As much tiling as possible is preferred
- Does anyone have further tips or information?
Fitness studio:
- A small setup with short and long dumbbells, weight bench, one cardio machine (stepper or treadmill), mats, and wall mirrors is planned
- I’m unsure here: tiles or laminate? I plan to cover the entire floor with a protective mat anyway, but which option is more resistant if a heavy weight accidentally falls? Could tiles break?
- We also plan to have a window here, as it might get stuffy during workouts 😀
I would really appreciate any tips and DO’s and DON’Ts!
Best regards
Elias
Well, the power outlets could be placed at the highest point, while the floor drain would naturally be at the lowest point. The area where the appliances stand probably wouldn’t be sprayed with water anyway. I was thinking more about the sauna/wellness area. If you’ve ever made a mess with massage oil, having something like this would definitely be practical.
E
Elias_dee19 Jan 2022 13:19Hello! Thanks again for the tips. Here are a few details:
Sauna:
- About 20 m² (215 sq ft), planned to be equipped with a whirl tub (not really a hot tub), a wooden sauna, a built-in shower, and 2 loungers. There will probably be a window facing north and one facing east, allowing for natural ventilation.
- Regarding the drain: since we are already planning a small built-in shower, could we just sweep everything into it, so no additional floor drain is needed?
- We are planning a decentralized ventilation system anyway, so it wouldn’t hurt to install a unit in the sauna as well, right?
Fitness area:
- About 15 m² (160 sq ft)
- True, a floor protection mat and underfloor heating are counterproductive. However, I plan to install the underfloor heating anyway (in case the room is used differently in the future) but probably never turn it on. The fitness basement is supposed to be cool rather than warm.
- Ventilation: as mentioned for the sauna, a unit of the decentralized ventilation system is planned here as well.
Does this sound reasonable? What do you think?
Sauna:
- About 20 m² (215 sq ft), planned to be equipped with a whirl tub (not really a hot tub), a wooden sauna, a built-in shower, and 2 loungers. There will probably be a window facing north and one facing east, allowing for natural ventilation.
- Regarding the drain: since we are already planning a small built-in shower, could we just sweep everything into it, so no additional floor drain is needed?
- We are planning a decentralized ventilation system anyway, so it wouldn’t hurt to install a unit in the sauna as well, right?
Fitness area:
- About 15 m² (160 sq ft)
- True, a floor protection mat and underfloor heating are counterproductive. However, I plan to install the underfloor heating anyway (in case the room is used differently in the future) but probably never turn it on. The fitness basement is supposed to be cool rather than warm.
- Ventilation: as mentioned for the sauna, a unit of the decentralized ventilation system is planned here as well.
Does this sound reasonable? What do you think?
Elias_dee schrieb:
We are planning a decentralized ventilation system anyway, so it wouldn’t hurt to install a unit in the sauna as well, right? Yes, you can ventilate... but honestly, do you want to? You have to ventilate regularly, which means running down to the basement two to three times a day to open windows and then close them again after a few minutes.
You want to install a sauna, a whirlpool, etc., and a decentralized ventilation system? Why is that?
Install a central mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery. Decentralized systems are just a compromise.
For a whirlpool, you will also need additional dehumidification in that room.
You haven’t mentioned anything about accessibility yet.
But honestly, where is the large room here?
These will be rather tiny basement rooms without any wellness character. That’s okay for training and such, but after your introductory remarks, I expected something different.
Lighting also plays a major role.
I hope you are aware of the cost of a professional cross trainer, for example. At least five figures (and then there’s the issue of transporting it inside the house). Dumbbell sets for short and long bars each cost four figures, and so on. It adds up significantly.
Just as a reference: we have a fitness room of nearly 70m2 (750 ft2) and I wouldn’t call that large yet. The equipment is certainly very high-end.
I don’t want to discourage you, but carefully consider whether you are prepared to make this investment and whether you will actually use it in the basement. Better start by installing a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery first. Landscape the garden, etc. You can have high-voltage wiring installed later for the sauna.
For a whirlpool, you will also need additional dehumidification in that room.
You haven’t mentioned anything about accessibility yet.
But honestly, where is the large room here?
These will be rather tiny basement rooms without any wellness character. That’s okay for training and such, but after your introductory remarks, I expected something different.
Lighting also plays a major role.
I hope you are aware of the cost of a professional cross trainer, for example. At least five figures (and then there’s the issue of transporting it inside the house). Dumbbell sets for short and long bars each cost four figures, and so on. It adds up significantly.
Just as a reference: we have a fitness room of nearly 70m2 (750 ft2) and I wouldn’t call that large yet. The equipment is certainly very high-end.
I don’t want to discourage you, but carefully consider whether you are prepared to make this investment and whether you will actually use it in the basement. Better start by installing a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery first. Landscape the garden, etc. You can have high-voltage wiring installed later for the sauna.
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