How to Build a Sauna In Your Backyard

Constructing a sauna in your yard appears like a dream, doesn’t it? An ideal, cozy escape from the hustle and bustle of day by day life. Someplace you possibly can unwind, chill out, and benefit from the therapeutic advantages of warmth remedy. Not less than, that’s what I believed once I determined to tackle the undertaking of constructing my very own sauna.

I envisioned a fast weekend undertaking, a day of hammering away, and earlier than I knew it, I’d have a lovely little oasis of heat and wellness in my yard.

Spoiler alert: I used to be incorrect.

Seems that constructing a sauna isn’t so simple as throwing some wooden collectively and plugging in a heater. It’s a course of that requires planning, endurance, and a complete lot of studying alongside the best way. I’m so glad I caught with it, regardless of the challenges and setbacks. The ultimate result’s greater than value it, plus I obtained some nice occasions with mates, and also you get to learn this overly-detailed weblog submit!

On this submit, I stroll you thru my sauna-building journey, sharing the teachings I discovered the laborious means. From understanding the distinctive Finnish model of sauna constructing to picking the right warmth supply (and sure, a LOT about air flow). So, seize a cup of tea, get comfy, and let’s dive into how I constructed my very own out of doors sauna—and what I discovered within the course of.

Table of Contents

Why Sauna?

Earlier than we leap into the step-by-step of constructing a sauna, let me let you know why I made a decision to tackle this undertaking within the first place.

Should you’re something like me, you’ve most likely learn in regards to the quite a few well being advantages of sauna use. Every part from bettering circulation and relieving muscle pressure to boosting your immune system and detoxifying your physique. I’ve mentioned many occasions that if the sauna have been a tablet, we’d all take it. However because it isn’t, I made a decision to construct one!

A 2015 Finnish research checked out the advantages of sauna 4-7 occasions every week, and for this to be even remotely sensible, a house sauna is basically useful. After all, there are sauna kits and pre-made saunas, and I hyperlink to all those I’ve tried and appreciated under. It’s really an embarrassingly great amount. However I like doing issues the powerful means, so DIY it was.

Lesson 1: Planning Is Key (And Even Then, It’s Nonetheless Arduous)

The primary lesson I discovered was that planning is essential with regards to constructing a sauna. Even with the very best intentions, issues don’t at all times go as easily as you hope. I believed I had all the things mapped out completely. I measured the house in my yard, researched supplies, and even watched a number of YouTube movies on do it your self sauna constructing. A DIY sauna undertaking can be a weekend undertaking—nothing too loopy, proper?

However right here’s the factor: it’s simple to miss all of the small particulars once you’re caught up within the pleasure. The complexity of the sauna development began to develop into clear fairly shortly. There are such a lot of components to think about once you construct it your self, from the inspiration to the insulation to the sauna door. One of many greatest challenges I encountered was getting the sauna to be correctly insulated. Saunas are all about retaining warmth. With out the proper insulation, all the hassle you set into constructing the construction gained’t outcome within the cozy heat you’re after.

I additionally discovered that constructing a sauna is a bit like fixing a puzzle—it requires a number of trial and error. Particularly once you’re working with completely different constructing supplies and determining how one can match all the things collectively. The method wasn’t quick, and it positively wasn’t simple, however the satisfaction of finishing one thing by handcrafted all of it value it ultimately. (Unrelated: I additionally discovered that I’m not the very best at spacial drawing and mapping out dimensions. Fortunately, that ended up all being fixable, although the sauna grew a few ft within the course of… whoops!).

The constructing supplies I used after a lot analysis:

Untreated pine lumber because the body
Smartside siding on the surface for sturdiness
Mineral wool as a non-toxic insulation contained in the partitions (as an alternative of fiberglass)
Aluminum vapor barrier on the within as soon as insulation was put in
Exhaust fan for mechanical downdraft
Alder wooden and a few cedar for the inside and sauna benches
Two 4-light infrared panes from Creatrix for crimson gentle and close to infrared: https://www.creatrixaffiliates.com/208.html (sure, this technically breaks the foundations of a pure conventional Finnish sauna, however my pores and skin loves it, so it’s staying)
Huum heater (extra on that later)

These similar supplies can be utilized to refinish/repurpose an current outbuilding. Simply be certain all handled wooden and something that may offgas is sealed inside the vapor barrier. Or, as I did, these supplies can be utilized to construct a sauna from scratch.

Lesson 2: The Finnish Model of Sauna Constructing

One of the vital vital issues I found throughout this undertaking was the Finns model of sauna constructing. Finland is the birthplace of the sauna, and their conventional saunas are the gold commonplace for sauna fanatics worldwide. To really respect the artwork of sauna constructing, I knew I needed to perceive the ideas behind it.

In a Finnish-style sauna, there are two fundamental components that make it actually distinctive: warmth and air flow.

Warmth: The Secret to Sauna Remedy

The warmth in a sauna is what offers you that satisfying, enjoyable expertise. It’s additionally what makes the sauna such a robust instrument for selling well being and well-being. When constructing my sauna, I had to consider how one can generate the proper of warmth. This wasn’t nearly selecting a heater (we’ll get to that later) however about creating an atmosphere the place the warmth can be evenly distributed all through the room.

Conventional Finnish saunas typically use wood-burning stoves to generate warmth. Nevertheless, there are different choices, like electrical heaters, that may work simply as properly. The secret is to make sure the warmth is ready to flow into successfully, making a constant temperature. That is the place the right design and insulation come into play and the place I bumped into a number of hiccups early on.

Relating to the well being research on sauna advantages, the primary mechanism studied and recognized is the warmth itself. It’s up for debate if infrared sauna supplies a “deeper warmth” or helps with detox. But the information is obvious that with the correct amount of warmth and time, sauna may be very useful.

Because of this, I knew I had to verify the sauna may get to 170 levels at a minimal. I then added the infrared/crimson lights as a bonus.

Correct Air flow: The Lacking Piece in Many Saunas

Now, right here’s one thing I didn’t absolutely respect earlier than I began constructing my sauna: it’s not simply the warmth that makes a sauna efficient, it’s the air flow. In reality, I shortly discovered that warmth alone will not be sufficient to forestall fatigue or discomfort throughout sauna use. It’s really the CO2 buildup within the room that may trigger us to really feel drained or lightheaded. Take a look at my podcast with Mike Feldstein the place we delve extra into CO2 right here.

To keep away from this, it’s important to have correct air flow. That is the place the downdraft system is available in. There are two fundamental forms of downdraft: mechanical downdraft and guide downdraft.

Mechanical downdraft makes use of a fan or vent system to flow into the air and take away extra CO2 from the sauna. It is a extra fashionable answer and may be efficient in making certain the air stays recent and breathable.
Guide downdraft is the normal strategy, the place you depend on strategically positioned vents to permit recent air to move into the sauna naturally. Many pre-made saunas both don’t have air flow or depend on this kind.

I selected the mechanical downdraft methodology for my sauna as a result of I knew we’d wish to have longer sauna periods and be capable of host larger teams. By putting in a vent above the heater and a fan underneath the bench, I used to be capable of enable for the right move of air and hold the CO2 ranges in test. This setup not solely made the sauna extra comfy to make use of but additionally ensured that the warmth remained environment friendly.

Lesson 3: The Legislation of Löyly – Why I Selected Taller Partitions and an Elevated Bench

One of many key design selections I made when constructing my sauna was to go for a taller construction with 8-foot partitions. This determination was pushed by a deep respect for the normal Finnish sauna expertise and a want to honor the legislation of löyly—the tenet of sauna warmth distribution.

In Finland, the sauna is rather more than only a room with a heater; it’s a ritual and a science. The Finnish idea of löyly refers back to the smooth, enveloping warmth and the sense of heat that fills the house when the sauna is correctly designed. It’s all about making a harmonious stability between the temperature and the airflow. This fashion, the warmth circulates evenly all through the room. The legislation of löyly emphasizes the significance of warmth rising to the higher benches, making certain that the particular person sitting there enjoys the very best of the sauna’s warmth.

In conventional Finnish saunas, the higher bench—the place folks usually sit to benefit from the sauna—is positioned above the heater, permitting the physique to be uncovered to the most popular air. To make this occur, the sauna should have sufficient peak to permit the warmth to rise naturally and envelop the consumer. I ensured that the higher bench can be positioned on the good peak by choosing 8-foot partitions. This allowed my ft to sit down at or above the extent of the sauna rocks, the supply of the warmth.

It wasn’t nearly creating extra room; it was about aligning the sauna with the ideas of löyly. This positioning permits the warmth to rise and flow into across the physique, creating an immersive expertise of heat with out overheating or discomfort.

The Advantages of Taller Partitions and Elevated Benches

Even Warmth Distribution: The primary purpose I selected a taller sauna was to provide the warmth room to rise and unfold evenly. With the higher bench positioned increased than the heater and the consumer’s ft positioned at or above the extent of the sauna rocks, the nice and cozy air naturally fills the higher a part of the sauna. The air then creates a extra constant and mild warmth. This setup encourages higher warmth circulation. Your physique additionally stays heat from head to toe whereas avoiding the discomfort of sizzling spots or cool zones.
A Extra Genuine Finnish Expertise: In Finland, saunas are an artwork type, and the expertise is all about stability. Taller partitions and correct bench positioning make sure you’re sitting in the proper place to really feel the true essence of löyly. The rising warmth ought to fill the room naturally, creating that signature soothing heat important to the Finnish sauna expertise. Once I sat on the higher bench of my sauna for the primary time, I instantly felt the distinction. There was a clean, enveloping heat that felt prefer it got here from throughout, not simply from the heater under.
Improved Air flow and Airflow: By permitting the warmth to rise and flow into freely all through the sauna, the design additionally helps with air flow. Taller partitions create an area the place the hotter air rises naturally and the cooler air flows downward, selling the perfect alternate of air. That is particularly vital in conventional saunas the place guide downdraft air flow performs an important position in making certain recent, breathable air.
Snug and Stress-free: When your ft are positioned at or above the extent of the sauna rocks, it additionally permits for a extra relaxed sitting posture. You’re not sitting too low to the bottom, which implies you’re uncovered to extra of the nice and cozy, rising air. This setup helps create a extra comfy and therapeutic sauna session. Right here you possibly can actually chill out and really feel the total advantages of the warmth.

Lesson 4: Selecting the Proper Heater

One of the vital essential choices I made throughout the constructing course of was selecting the best heater. In spite of everything, that is the center of the sauna expertise. The correct heater could make all of the distinction with regards to warmth high quality, vitality effectivity, and total expertise.

I did a number of analysis earlier than selecting a heater, and finally, I went with the HUUM Hive heater. Right here’s why:

Vitality Effectivity: The HUUM Hive is designed to be extremely energy-efficient. This implies I can get pleasure from lengthy sauna periods with out worrying about excessive vitality payments. It additionally heats up shortly and evenly, offering a snug and constant temperature.
Design: The smooth, fashionable design of the HUUM Hive matches completely with the aesthetic I wished for my sauna. It’s minimalist but trendy and provides to the general ambiance of the house.
Efficiency: The HUUM Hive makes use of high-quality stones to generate warmth. This helps preserve a constant temperature and create that smooth, enveloping heat I like.
Measurement: The HUUM Hive is available in varied sizes, which was good for my sauna. I used to be ready to decide on the proper measurement primarily based on the house I had out there and the extent of warmth I wished to realize.

The heater measurement may be very particular to the dimensions of the sauna and the specified temperature. This heater wouldn’t be acceptable for smaller saunas and there are extra budget-friendly choices for heating smaller saunas. I used this heater from Vevor once I needed to exchange the heater in my barrel sauna.

Right here’s how one can calculate the dimensions of a sauna heater:

Measure the quantity of your sauna room in cubic ft.
As a basic rule of thumb, allocate 1 kilowatt (kW) of heating energy for each 50 cubic ft of house. Primarily, divide the cubic footage by 50 to get the required heater measurement in kW. All the time spherical as much as the closest out there heater measurement if obligatory.
You may as well use a instrument like this one to calculate your heater measurement.

Lesson 4: Study Some Persistence

I feel one of many greatest classes I discovered all through this course of is the significance of downtime and endurance. When issues don’t go in keeping with plan, it’s simple to get annoyed. Nevertheless, taking a step again and permitting issues to come back collectively slowly could make all of the distinction. There have been loads of days once I was tempted to hurry via the undertaking, however ultimately, I’m so glad I didn’t.

The method of constructing my sauna took longer than I anticipated, nevertheless it gave me the chance to make changes, enhance my design, and be taught alongside the best way. Now, I’m capable of respect the top outcome much more as a result of I understand how a lot effort went into making it good.

The Last Consequence

After months of labor (and a few occasional setbacks), my yard sauna is lastly full. Effectively, aside from the ultimate roof, however that’s a narrative for one more day. It’s a comfy, heat, and welcoming house the place I can escape from the world and concentrate on my well-being. Each time I step inside, I’m reminded of the teachings I discovered, the errors I made, and the enjoyment of constructing one thing with my very own palms.

Should you’re contemplating constructing your personal sauna, I hope this submit has given you some useful insights and sensible suggestions. Constructing a sauna isn’t simple, however the finish result’s completely value it.

Don’t Need to Construct?

If my expertise deterred you from wanting to construct one (wouldn’t blame you for that), I’ve additionally tried a number of different forms of saunas through the years. These have included varied sizes of transportable, pre-made, indoor saunas, and build-from-kit saunas. A few of these embrace wooden burning saunas, whereas others are transportable, private saunas (like a blanket).

These are those I’ve tried and would suggest:

Do you employ a sauna? Is that this one thing you’d prefer to strive or incorporate extra into your well being routine? Depart a remark and let me know!

How to Build a Sauna In Your Backyard Leave a comment