Constructing a sauna in your yard appears like a dream, doesn’t it? An ideal, cozy escape from the hustle and bustle of each day life. Someplace you’ll be able to 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 mission of constructing my very own sauna.
I envisioned a fast weekend mission, 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 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 price it, plus I bought some nice instances with pals, and also you get to learn this overly-detailed weblog publish!
On this publish, I stroll you thru my sauna-building journey, sharing the teachings I discovered the laborious method. From understanding the distinctive Finnish type of sauna constructing to picking the proper 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.
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 mission within the first place.
For those who’re something like me, you’ve most likely learn in regards to the quite a few well being advantages of sauna use. The whole lot from enhancing circulation and relieving muscle rigidity to boosting your immune system and detoxifying your physique. I’ve mentioned many instances that if the sauna have been a capsule, 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 instances every week, and for this to be even remotely sensible, a house sauna is admittedly 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 really an embarrassingly great amount. However I like doing issues the robust method, so DIY it was.
Lesson 1: Planning Is Key (And Even Then, It’s Nonetheless Exhausting)
The primary lesson I discovered was that planning is essential in relation to constructing a sauna. Even with one of the 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 couple of YouTube movies on do it your self sauna constructing. A DIY sauna mission can be a weekend mission—nothing too loopy, proper?
However right here’s the factor: it’s simple to miss all of the small particulars whenever you’re caught up within the pleasure. The complexity of the sauna development began to turn into clear fairly shortly. There are such a lot of components to contemplate whenever 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 appropriate insulation, all the hassle you place into constructing the construction received’t end result within the cozy heat you’re after.
I additionally discovered that constructing a sauna is a bit like fixing a puzzle—it requires a variety of trial and error. Particularly whenever you’re working with completely different constructing supplies and determining 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 price it in the long run. (Unrelated: I additionally discovered 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 skin 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 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 present outbuilding. Simply make sure 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
One of the essential issues I found throughout this mission was the Finns type of sauna constructing. Finland is the birthplace of the sauna, and their conventional saunas are the gold commonplace for sauna fanatics worldwide. To actually recognize the artwork of sauna constructing, I knew I needed to perceive the rules 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 offers you that satisfying, enjoyable expertise. It’s additionally what makes the sauna such a strong device for selling well being and well-being. When constructing my sauna, I had to consider generate the proper 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 nicely. The bottom line 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 couple of hiccups early on.
In terms of 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 offers a “deeper warmth” or helps with detox. But the information is evident that with the correct quantity of warmth and time, sauna may 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 absolutely recognize earlier than I began constructing my sauna: it’s not simply the warmth that makes a sauna efficient, it’s the air flow. Actually, I shortly discovered that warmth alone isn’t sufficient to stop 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. Try 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 sorts of downdraft: mechanical downdraft and handbook 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 trendy answer and may be efficient in making certain the air stays contemporary and breathable.
- Guide downdraft is the normal method, 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 wish to have longer sauna classes and be capable to host greater 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 circulation of air and maintain the CO2 ranges in verify. 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 Regulation 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 normal Finnish sauna expertise and a need to honor the regulation of löyly—the guideline 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 comfortable, 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 regulation of löyly emphasizes the significance of warmth rising to the higher benches, making certain that the particular person sitting there enjoys one of the best of the sauna’s warmth.
In conventional Finnish saunas, the higher bench—the place individuals usually sit to benefit from the sauna—is positioned above the heater, permitting the physique to be uncovered to the most well liked air. To make this occur, the sauna will need to 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 good top 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 rules 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 principle motive I selected a taller sauna was to offer the warmth room to rise and unfold evenly. With the higher bench positioned larger 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 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. After 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 trade of air. That is particularly essential in conventional saunas the place handbook downdraft air flow performs an important function in making certain contemporary, 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’ll be able to really chill out and really feel the total advantages of the warmth.
Lesson 4: Selecting the Proper Heater
One of the essential selections I made in the course of the constructing course of was choosing the proper heater. In spite of everything, that is the center of the sauna expertise. The suitable heater could make all of the distinction in relation to warmth high quality, power effectivity, and total expertise.
I did a variety of analysis earlier than deciding on a heater, and finally, I went with the HUUM Hive heater. Right here’s why:
- Power Effectivity: The HUUM Hive is designed to be extremely energy-efficient. This implies I can take pleasure in lengthy sauna classes with out worrying about excessive power payments. It additionally heats up shortly and evenly, offering a snug and constant temperature.
- Design: The glossy, trendy design of the HUUM Hive matches completely with the aesthetic I needed 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 comfortable, enveloping heat I really like.
- Dimension: The HUUM Hive is available in numerous sizes, which was good for my sauna. I used to be in a position to decide on the appropriate dimension based mostly on the house I had accessible and the extent of warmth I needed to realize.
The heater dimension may be very particular to the scale 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 calculate the scale of a sauna heater:
- Measure the amount of your sauna room in cubic ft.
- As a normal 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 dimension in kW. All the time spherical as much as the closest accessible heater dimension if essential.
- You can too use a device like this one to calculate your heater dimension.
Lesson 4: Be taught Some Endurance
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 based on plan, it’s simple 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 way of the mission, 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 be taught alongside the best way. Now, I’m capable of recognize the tip end result 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, 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 discovered, the errors I made, and the enjoyment of constructing one thing with my very own palms.
For those who’re contemplating constructing your individual sauna, I hope this publish has given you some useful insights and sensible suggestions. Constructing a sauna isn’t simple, however the finish result’s completely price 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 variety of different sorts of saunas through the years. These have included numerous sizes of transportable, pre-made, indoor saunas, and build-from-kit saunas. A few of these embody 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 attempt or incorporate extra into your well being routine? Go away a remark and let me know!
