A simple off-grid shower/laundry room, how to build?

[cederbusch]

Shower under the open sky is all well and good, but I want to build a small structure where I can fit a bathtub to shower in as well as a small washing machine. I haven't planned to furnish it as a wet room, but I also don't want the wind to blow straight through. If possible, I want to be able to heat it up a bit before a shower in the winter, and if I run a wash.

Frame up a simple structure with 45 mm wood fiber insulation, and asfaboard for wind protection? Or is that just a waiting mold bomb? I would appreciate advice on how to best build this.

 

[Testarn]

I would be hesitant to have a washing machine in an unheated (frost-free) space unless I was sure that the washing machine really empties all the water and doesn't freeze.

Otherwise, it should be possible to do as you think; occasional showers do not generate a lot of moisture, so as long as you make sure the water doesn't splash on walls and floors, it should be fine. Maybe install a solar-powered or wind-driven ventilation system like those used on boats?

Some form of wall covering on the inside is probably a must, with the asfaboarden on the outside, insulation inside that, then some board/panel, and preferably a vapor barrier.

 

[fribygg]

Have you considered designing it like a sauna, i.e. sparse decking flooring, windproof walls with paneling on both the outside and inside, and wood-fired heating when needed?

 

[cederbusch]

I would be hesitant to have a washing machine in an unheated (frost-free) space unless I was sure that the washing machine actually drains all the water and doesn't freeze.

Otherwise, it should be possible to do as you think, occasional showers don't generate a lot of moisture, so as long as you make sure the water doesn't splash on walls and floors, it should be fine. Maybe install a solar-powered or wind-powered ventilation system like those used on boats?
Some form of interior wall covering is probably a must, with the asfaboard on the outside and insulation inside that, then a board/panel on top and preferably a vapor barrier.

Yes, I probably don't imagine a regular washing machine. Rather one that is built for the purpose, i.e., no hidden containers/hoses filled with water.

 

[cederbusch]

Have you considered designing it like a sauna, i.e. sparse slatted floor, windproof walls with cladding on both the inside and outside, and wood-fired heating when needed?

Yes, and that's where my thoughts lie a bit, whether it's enough to build that way, or if I should consider it to be tighter and with some insulation. But I'd love to discuss with you about how you think.

My need is that I, or one of the kids, want to be able to take a quick shower and that it should be possible to heat it up temporarily so you don't stand there shivering. So I originally thought of a simple construction without insulation, well-ventilated but windproof so you don't stand in the draft. So kind of asfaboard and panel on the outside, and some wall covering on the inside. Simple metal or plastic roof. And preferably, as you describe, I would have a slatted floor that is insensitive to water. But don't you think it would pull up very cold then?

But surely with such a construction, it's quite possible to quickly get it warm with a small stove? It feels a bit overkill to insulate. And if I do, maybe I need to think about a moisture barrier.

 

[fribygg]

Yes, and that's where my thoughts lie, whether it's enough to build that way, or if I should consider making it tighter and with some insulation. But I'd be happy to discuss how you're thinking.

My need is that I, or one of the kids, should be able to take a quick shower and it should be possible to heat it temporarily so you don't shiver. So I originally thought of a simple construction without insulation, well-ventilated but windproof so you're not standing in the draft. So, like asfaboard and cladding outwards, and some wall covering on the inside. Simple roof of sheet metal or plastic. And ideally, I'd have, as you describe, a decking floor that's insensitive to water. But won't it get very cold with that, do you think?

But surely, with such a construction, you can quickly get it warm with a small stove?
It feels a bit overkill to insulate. And if I do that, perhaps I need to consider a moisture barrier.

I have good experiences with sparse decking floors in a sauna, when you heat it or have heated it, it's pleasant, and otherwise, it's airy and dries excellently.

Personally, I would rather put some decimeters of insulation in the ceiling, especially if you're going to sauna, as that's where most of the heat escapes.

 

[cederbusch]

I have good experiences with sparse decking floors in saunas, when firing or having fired it is pleasant and otherwise it is airy and dries excellently.

Personally, I would rather put some decimeters of insulation in the ceiling, at least if you are going to sauna that is where most of the heat escapes.

Can you describe how you would build it?

Like pressure-treated floor joists with decking with a gap down to the ground?
Frame of pressure-treated/non-treated?
Any sheeting plus panels on the outside, or tongue and groove boards outwards and inwards?
Any ventilation besides the floor?

 

[fribygg]

Can you describe how you would have built it?

Like a pressed floor joist with decking with a gap down to the ground?
Frame made of treated/untreated wood?
Some board plus panel outwards, or tongue-and-groove boards outwards and inwards?
Any ventilation besides the floor?

Built the sauna with a wooden floor joist on lecasten, no treated wood or board materials, just home-sawn, unplaned, untongued wood, örnpapp, reused window and outer door.
Sparse floor and stove on a couple of garden paving stones for ventilation and heat, uninsulated flue going straight up, double doors, the inner one in glass and the outer one in the changing room should probably have been too.

 

[cederbusch]

Built the sauna with a wooden floor frame on lecasten, no pressure-treated wood or panel material, just home-sawn, unplaned, unsurfaced wood, örnpapp, reused window and exterior door
Sparse floor and stove on a couple of garden slabs for ventilation and heat, uninsulated flue pipe straight up, double doors, the inner one in glass and the outer one in the dressing room should probably have been too.

Might there still be a difference if it's more of a shower than a sauna? Thinking that if it's not cold, you wouldn't be heating it, meaning you wouldn't get the help of the heat to push out and dry up the moisture. But maybe that's a non-question in such an open construction.

If you're going to shower there, perhaps you should still protect the material against too much water splash?

 

[fribygg]

Might there still be a difference if it's more of a shower than a sauna? I'm thinking that if it's not cold, you won't be lighting a fire there, meaning you won't get help from the heat to push out and dry up moisture. But maybe that's a non-issue in such an open construction.

If you're going to shower there, perhaps you should protect the material from too much water splashing?

How will you heat the shower water when the sun can't do it for you?

I'm not the least worried that standing untreated panel would be damaged by showering; it lasts about a hundred years outdoors and should therefore have sufficient lifespan even in a shower/laundry room. If you're cautious, you might consider getting a glass shower cabin.

 

[cederbusch]

How are you going to heat the shower water when the sun can't do it for you?

I'm not at all worried about untreated vertical paneling being damaged by showering, it lasts about a hundred years outdoors and should therefore have enough lifespan even in a shower/laundry room. If you're anxious about it, you should probably get a glass shower cabin.

I'm going to build my outdoor kitchen adjacent to the shower hut, so my plan is to build a rocket stove and have one of my 30-liter pots there. Then I can connect a hose directly into the shower. In the winter when I burn wood in the indoor stove, I'll have such a pot there with hot water constantly. So the stove in the shower hut is not for heating water but just for comfort heat.

Good input. I like your reasoning.

My only complaint with such a solution is that it's cold on the feet. But on the other hand, a cold storage room is also cold on the floor even if you've warmed it a bit higher up, I guess.

 

[Testarn]

I will build my outdoor kitchen adjacent to the shower hut, so my plan is to build up a rocket stove and place one of my 30-liter pots there. Then I can connect a pipe directly to the shower. In winter, when I use the wood stove inside, I will have one of those pots with hot water constantly. So the stove in the shower hut is not for heating water but just for comfort heat.

Good input. I like your reasoning.

My only issue with such a solution is that it's cold on the feet. But on the other hand, a cold storage room is also cold on the floor even if the temperature is warmer a bit higher up, I suppose.

Cold feet can be solved with a seat pad made of the same material as a traditional sleeping pad. It works for placing on the ice when winter swimming, so no problems here.

 

[cederbusch]

Cold feet can be solved with a sitting mat made of the same material as traditional sleeping pads.
Works to put on the ice when winter swimming, so no problems here.

Smart!

 

[fribygg]

My only issue with such a solution is that it's cold for the feet

Foppatofflor or clogs recommended.

 

[cederbusch]

Foppa sandals or clogs are recommended.

I wear Foppa when I shower, perfect.