Creating a Hammam: From Design to Construction
“Temperature: 40 °C to 50 °C — Humidity: 80% to 100% relative humidity”
Sauna Dekor designs, manufactures and installs hammams and Turkish baths in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across the UAE, and has done so since 1987. We build in marble, travertine and Turkish glass mosaic, with a heated göbektaşı engineered for high-volume hotel and spa use. Design, in-house manufacturing, shipping and on-site installation come from one contractor, under one warranty. Derived from the Arabic word "Hamm," meaning warmth, hammams have been an integral part of cultures like the Ottoman Empire. Today, these zones of spas not only provide a relaxing retreat but also contribute to overall well-being.
1. Understanding the Tradition: Delve into the historical roots of hammams, influenced by the grandeur of Roman baths. Explore the fusion of Turkish and Anatolian bath cultures, defining the essence of crucial water structures.
2. Initial Stages in Construction:The journey of hammam construction begins with thorough exploration and examination of the chosen site. Client collaboration plays a pivotal role, shaping the project according to their vision. The meticulous design of the heating system and model dimensions ensures a functional and aesthetically pleasing.
3. Construction Process:
a. Quality Materials and Functional Design: Emphasize the importance of using quality materials during hammam construction, incorporating both traditional Turkish bath materials and cutting-edge technology. Hygienic and easy-to-clean materials are crucial, especially in high-heat zones like the navel stone section..
b. Heating Options: Discuss the heating options available, such as hot water pipes or electric systems, considering individual needs. Ensure proper design alignment, effective heating, and ventilation systems for optimal performance.
01 01
Stages of Production
Outline the key steps in constructing a dream Turkish bath
a. Survey and Prep Phase: Initiate the process with a thorough survey and preparation.
b. Material Choices: Involve clients in decisions on marble, plumbing, and heating systems for the best results.
c. Ergonomic Solutions: Strike a balance between aesthetics and function, utilizing services like water jet and CNC cutting for marble.
02 02
Important Factors in Construction
Highlight critical factors for a successful design:
a. Optimal Marble Heating: Focus on heating marble optimally for a luxurious bathing experience.
b. Ventilation and Insulation: Plan for an efficient ventilation system and use high-quality insulation for durability.
c. Aesthetics and Durability: Implement stylish elements like vaults, domes, stretch ceilings, and fiber LEDs, while ensuring durability with steel mesh and compressed panels.
03 03
Materials Used in Construction
Explore the significance of using heat-resistant materials, especially in the navel stone section. Discuss the role of faucets, both traditional and modern types, in enhancing the overall design.
04 04
Cost of Construction
a. Determining Factors: Explain the parameters affecting a project costs, including marble quality, faucet types, and function.
b. Budget Flexibility: Highlight the versatility of hammam projects, accommodating both low and high budgets based on individual needs.
05 05
Models and Prices
Introduce three distinctive experiences – Turkish, Moroccan, and Modern. Explore the unique features and costs associated with each type. Encourage readers to seek expert guidance from Sauna Dekor for a personalized dream project. Embark on a journey to create the perfection, where tradition meets modern luxury. Contact us for expert assistance in turning your vision into reality.
Explore Related Wellness Solutions
Complement your hammam with our professional steam room designs. Add a luxury massage room, or complete the experience with our salt room solutions and custom shower systems.
Hammam types, operating conditions and build time
| Type | Temperature | Relative humidity | Heated göbektaşı | Build time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish hammam | 40–50 °C | 80–100 % | Yes | 6–10 weeks |
| Moroccan bath | 40–50 °C | 80–100 % | Optional | 6–10 weeks |
| Modern steam hammam | 42–48 °C | 100 % | Yes | 6–10 weeks |
| Room | Internal area | Room volume | Steam generation | Connected load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villa steam hammam, glass mosaic | 2.3 m² | 5.2 m³ | Condair Sigma 8 · 8 kg/h | 6.0 kW · 400 V 3-phase or 230 V 1-phase |
| Villa hammam, natural travertine | 4.1 m² | 9.5 m³ | Condair Sigma 15 · 15 kg/h | 11.3 kW · 400 V 3-phase |
| Hotel steam room, Dubai tower | 5.5 m² | 12.6 m³ | Condair Sigma 15 · 15 kg/h | 11.3 kW · 400 V 3-phase |
| Hotel steam room, Dubai tower | 6.5 m² | 14.9 m³ | Condair Sigma 23 · 23 kg/h | 17.3 kW · 400 V 3-phase |
| Hotel hammam hall, resort spa | 64–69 m² | 153–166 m³ | Two steam generators, 20 kW + 5 kW | 76–79 kW including floor, wall and bench heating |
Steam demand follows room volume, not floor area. We allow 0.5–0.6 kg/h of steam per cubic metre in an acrylic cabin, 0.75–1.0 kg/h per cubic metre in a tiled and insulated room, and 1.0–1.4 kg/h per cubic metre in marble or stone, because stone stores cold and needs the extra output at start-up. Every square metre of glass adds roughly 1.2 m³ to the design volume.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hammam and how is it different from a sauna?
A hammam is a wet heat room finished in marble or mosaic, held at 40–50 °C with 80–100 % relative humidity, centred on a heated marble platform called the göbektaşı. A sauna is dry heat at a much higher temperature. In a hammam you are washed and scrubbed; in a sauna you sweat and cool.
Who builds hammams in Dubai?
Sauna Dekor designs, manufactures and installs hammams in Dubai and across the UAE. We manufacture in our own facility, ship to site and install with our own team, so the marble, the heating, the waterproofing and the ventilation are one contract rather than four suppliers.
How much does a hammam cost in Dubai?
Cost is driven by marble selection, room size, whether the göbektaşı is heated, and whether the room is new-build or a retrofit into an existing wet area. We price each hammam against its own drawings rather than a rate card — send us the plan and we will quote it. Hotel hammams are priced per project. We issue a fixed price after a site survey.
How long does it take to build a hammam?
A single hammam or steam room runs 6–10 weeks from design approval to commissioning. A complete villa spa package with several rooms runs 12–16 weeks. Hotel projects run longer because approvals and MEP coordination sit on the critical path, not manufacturing.
What materials are used in a Turkish hammam?
Marble or travertine for the floor, walls, basins (kurna) and the göbektaşı; Turkish glass mosaic where a lighter finish is wanted; a full waterproofing membrane behind everything; steam-resistant adhesive and grout; and insulation under the heated slab. The dome and its light openings are structural, not decorative.
What is a göbektaşı and does it have to be heated?
The göbektaşı is the raised marble platform at the centre of the hammam where the scrub and foam massage happen. It is heated from below. An unheated platform changes the treatment completely — the heat is what opens the skin before keseleme — so we build it heated as standard.
Do I need approvals to build a hammam in Dubai?
Yes. Electrical work needs DEWA approval, the fit-out needs Dubai Municipality sign-off, and a commercial facility needs Dubai Civil Defence approval. In an apartment or a managed community you will also need the building owner’s consent. We prepare the documentation as part of the scope.
What is the difference between a Turkish hammam and a Moroccan bath?
A Turkish hammam is a built room — marble, dome, heated göbektaşı — and the ritual is scrub and foam. A Moroccan bath is primarily a treatment, using black soap and rhassoul clay, and it can be delivered in a steam room without a göbektaşı. Many UAE clients build both.
