Constructing a sauna in your yard seems like a dream, doesn’t it? An ideal, cozy escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Someplace you possibly can unwind, loosen up, and benefit from the therapeutic advantages of warmth remedy. No less than, that’s what I assumed once I determined to tackle the venture of constructing my very own sauna.
I envisioned a fast weekend venture, a day of hammering away, and earlier than I knew it, I’d have a fantastic little oasis of heat and wellness in my yard.
Spoiler alert: I used to be mistaken.
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, persistence, and an entire lot of studying alongside the way in which. I’m so glad I caught with it, regardless of the challenges and setbacks. The ultimate result’s greater than value it, plus I bought some nice occasions with associates, and also you get to learn this overly-detailed weblog put up!
On this put up, I stroll you thru my sauna-building journey, sharing the teachings I realized the laborious manner. From understanding the distinctive Finnish type of sauna constructing to selecting 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 outside sauna—and what I realized within the course of.
Why Sauna?
Earlier than we leap into the step-by-step of constructing a sauna, let me inform you why I made a decision to tackle this venture within the first place.
In the event 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 enhancing circulation and relieving muscle rigidity to boosting your immune system and detoxifying your physique. I’ve stated many occasions that if the sauna had been a capsule, we’d all take it. However because it isn’t, I made a decision to construct one!
A 2015 Finnish examine checked out the advantages of sauna 4-7 occasions every week, and for this to be even remotely sensible, a house sauna is actually useful. In fact, there are sauna kits and pre-made saunas, and I hyperlink to all those I’ve tried and preferred under. It’s truly an embarrassingly great amount. However I like doing issues the robust manner, so DIY it was.
Lesson 1: Planning Is Key (And Even Then, It’s Nonetheless Exhausting)
The primary lesson I realized was that planning is essential in the case of constructing a sauna. Even with one of the best intentions, issues don’t at all times go as easily as you hope. I assumed I had every part 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 venture can be a weekend venture—nothing too loopy, proper?
However right here’s the factor: it’s straightforward to miss all of the small particulars if you’re caught up within the pleasure. The complexity of the sauna building began to develop into clear fairly shortly. There are such a lot of elements to think about if you construct it your self, from the muse 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 appropriate insulation, all the trouble you set into constructing the construction received’t outcome within the cozy heat you’re after.
I additionally realized that constructing a sauna is a bit like fixing a puzzle—it requires plenty of trial and error. Particularly if you’re working with completely different constructing supplies and determining the way to match every part collectively. The method wasn’t quick, and it positively wasn’t straightforward, however the satisfaction of finishing one thing by handcrafted all of it value it in the long run. (Unrelated: I additionally realized that I’m not one of the 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 a substitute 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 pink mild and close to infrared: https://www.creatrixaffiliates.com/208.html (sure, this technically breaks the principles 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 ensure all handled wooden and something that may offgas is sealed throughout the vapor barrier. Or, as I did, these supplies can be utilized to construct a sauna from scratch.
Lesson 2: The Finnish Fashion of Sauna Constructing
Probably the most vital issues I found throughout this venture was the Finns type of sauna constructing. Finland is the birthplace of the sauna, and their conventional saunas are the gold normal for sauna lovers 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 major parts that make it really distinctive: warmth and air flow.
Warmth: The Secret to Sauna Remedy
The warmth in a sauna is what provides you that satisfying, stress-free 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 the way to generate the correct of warmth. This wasn’t nearly selecting a heater (we’ll get to that later) however about creating an surroundings 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’s 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.
With regards to the well being research on sauna advantages, the principle mechanism studied and recognized is the warmth itself. It’s up for debate if infrared sauna gives a “deeper warmth” or helps with detox. But the info is evident that with the correct quantity of warmth and time, sauna will be very helpful.
Because of this, I knew I had to ensure the sauna might get to 170 levels at a minimal. I then added the infrared/pink lights as a bonus.
Correct Air flow: The Lacking Piece in Many Saunas
Now, right here’s one thing I didn’t totally 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 truth, I shortly realized that warmth alone shouldn’t be sufficient to stop fatigue or discomfort throughout sauna use. It’s truly 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 major 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 will be efficient in guaranteeing the air stays contemporary and breathable.
- Handbook downdraft is the standard strategy, the place you depend on strategically positioned vents to permit contemporary air to circulation 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 need to have longer sauna periods and have the ability to host larger teams. By putting in a vent above the heater and a fan below the bench, I used to be in a position to enable for the right circulation of air and hold the CO2 ranges in examine. This setup not solely made the sauna extra comfy to make use of but in addition 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 decisions 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 standard Finnish sauna expertise and a want to honor the legislation of löyly—the tenet of sauna warmth distribution.
In Finland, the sauna is far more than only a room with a heater; it’s a ritual and a science. The Finnish idea of löyly refers back to the gentle, enveloping warmth and the sense of heat that fills the house when the sauna is correctly designed. It’s all about making a harmonious steadiness 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, guaranteeing that the individual sitting there enjoys one of the 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 top to permit the warmth to rise naturally and envelop the consumer. I ensured that the higher bench can be positioned on the excellent top by choosing 8-foot partitions. This allowed my ft to take a seat 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 motive I selected a taller sauna was to provide the warmth room to rise and unfold evenly. With the higher bench positioned greater 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 scorching spots or cool zones.
- A Extra Genuine Finnish Expertise: In Finland, saunas are an artwork kind, and the expertise is all about steadiness. Taller partitions and correct bench positioning make sure you’re sitting in the appropriate 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 best alternate of air. That is particularly vital in conventional saunas the place guide downdraft air flow performs an important position in guaranteeing contemporary, breathable air.
- Comfy and Enjoyable: 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 suggests 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 really loosen up and really feel the complete advantages of the warmth.
Lesson 4: Selecting the Proper Heater
Probably the most essential selections 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 in the case of warmth high quality, vitality effectivity, and total expertise.
I did plenty 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 cushty and constant temperature.
- Design: The smooth, fashionable design of the HUUM Hive suits completely with the aesthetic I needed for my sauna. It’s minimalist but fashionable 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 gentle, enveloping heat I like.
- Measurement: The HUUM Hive is available in varied sizes, which was excellent for my sauna. I used to be in a position to decide on the appropriate measurement based mostly on the house I had obtainable and the extent of warmth I needed to attain.
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 change the heater in my barrel sauna.
Right here’s the way to calculate the dimensions of a sauna heater:
- Measure the amount 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. Basically, divide the cubic footage by 50 to get the required heater measurement in kW. At all times spherical as much as the closest obtainable heater measurement if mandatory.
- You too can use a instrument like this one to calculate your heater measurement.
Lesson 4: Be taught Some Persistence
I believe one of many greatest classes I realized all through this course of is the significance of downtime and persistence. When issues don’t go based on plan, it’s straightforward to get pissed off. Nevertheless, taking a step again and permitting issues to return collectively slowly could make all of the distinction. There have been loads of days once I was tempted to hurry by the venture, however in the long run, 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 study alongside the way in which. Now, I’m in a position to respect the tip outcome much more as a result of I understand how a lot effort went into making it excellent.
The Ultimate Consequence
After months of labor (and a few occasional setbacks), my yard sauna is lastly full. Nicely, apart from the ultimate roof, however that’s a narrative for an additional day. It’s a comfy, heat, and alluring 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 realized, the errors I made, and the enjoyment of constructing one thing with my very own palms.
In the event you’re contemplating constructing your individual sauna, I hope this put up has given you some useful insights and sensible ideas. Constructing a sauna isn’t straightforward, 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 plenty of different forms of saunas over time. These have included varied sizes of moveable, pre-made, indoor saunas, and build-from-kit saunas. A few of these embrace wooden burning saunas, whereas others are moveable, 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 wish to strive or incorporate extra into your well being routine? Go away a remark and let me know!
