How to Build a Sauna In Your Backyard

Constructing a sauna in your yard seems like a dream, doesn’t it? An ideal, cozy escape from the hustle and bustle of each day life. Someplace you may unwind, chill out, and benefit from the therapeutic benefits of heat therapy. Not less than, that’s what I assumed 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 ravishing little oasis of heat and wellness in my yard.

Spoiler alert: I used to be unsuitable.

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 instances with buddies, 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 realized the exhausting manner. From understanding the unique Finnish style 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 realized within the course of.

Why Sauna?

Earlier than we bounce 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.

 In the event you’re something like me, you’ve in all probability learn concerning the quite a few health benefits of sauna use. All the things from bettering circulation and relieving muscle pressure to boosting your immune system and detoxifying your physique. I’ve mentioned many instances 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 instances per week, and for this to be even remotely sensible, a house sauna is de facto useful. After all, there are sauna kits and pre-made saunas, and I hyperlink to all those I’ve tried and preferred beneath. It’s really 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 relation to constructing a sauna. Even with one of the best intentions, issues don’t all the time go as easily as you hope. I assumed I had all the things mapped out completely. I measured the area 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 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 best insulation, all the hassle you place into constructing the construction gained’t consequence within the cozy heat you’re after.

I additionally realized that constructing a sauna is a bit like fixing a puzzle—it requires loads of trial and error. Particularly once you’re working with totally different constructing supplies and determining find out how to match all the things collectively. The method wasn’t quick, and it undoubtedly wasn’t simple, 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 toes 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 identical supplies can be utilized to refinish/repurpose an present 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 Type of Sauna Constructing

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

In a Finnish-style sauna, there are two principal parts that make it actually 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 strong software for selling well being and well-being. When constructing my sauna, I had to consider find out how to 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 usually use wood-burning stoves to generate warmth. Nevertheless, there are different choices, like electrical heaters, that may work simply as effectively. 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.

On the subject 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 gives a “deeper warmth” or helps with detox. But the information is evident that with the correct quantity of warmth and time, sauna could be very helpful. 

For that reason, I knew I had to ensure the sauna may 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. In reality, I shortly realized that warmth alone is just not 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. Check out 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 principal varieties 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 resolution and could be efficient in making certain the air stays contemporary and breathable.
• Guide 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 classes and be capable of host greater teams. By putting in a vent above the heater and a fan beneath the bench, I used to be capable of permit for the right circulation of air and hold the CO2 ranges in test. 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 choice was pushed by a deep respect for the standard Finnish sauna expertise and a need to honor the regulation 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 mushy, enveloping warmth and the sense of heat that fills the area 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 folks 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 person. I ensured that the higher bench can be positioned on the good top by choosing 8-foot partitions. This allowed my toes 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

1. Even Warmth Distribution: The primary purpose I selected a taller sauna was to present the warmth room to rise and unfold evenly. With the higher bench positioned greater than the heater and the person’s toes 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 delicate 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.
2. 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 best 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 easy, enveloping heat that felt prefer it got here from throughout, not simply from the heater beneath.
3. 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 vital in conventional saunas the place guide downdraft air flow performs a vital function in making certain contemporary, breathable air.
4. Snug and Enjoyable: When your toes 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 may actually chill out and really feel the complete advantages of the warmth.

Lesson 4: Selecting the Proper Heater

One of the vital essential selections I made throughout the constructing course of was choosing the proper heater. In any case, that is the guts of the sauna expertise. The correct heater could make all of the distinction in relation to warmth high quality, vitality effectivity, and total expertise.

I did loads of analysis earlier than deciding on 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 take pleasure in lengthy sauna classes with out worrying about excessive vitality payments. It additionally heats up shortly and evenly, offering a cushty and constant temperature.
• Design: The glossy, fashionable design of the HUUM Hive suits completely with the aesthetic I needed for my sauna. It’s minimalist but trendy and provides to the general ambiance of the area.
• Efficiency: The HUUM Hive makes use of high-quality stones to generate warmth. This helps keep a constant temperature and create that mushy, 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 best dimension primarily based on the area I had accessible and the extent of warmth I needed to attain.

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 substitute the heater in my barrel sauna.

Right here’s find out how to calculate the scale of a sauna heater:

• Measure the quantity of your sauna room in cubic toes.
• As a basic rule of thumb, allocate 1 kilowatt (kW) of heating energy for each 50 cubic toes of area. Basically, divide the cubic footage by 50 to get the required heater dimension in kW. At all times spherical as much as the closest accessible heater dimension if needed.
• You may also use a tool like this one to calculate your heater dimension.

Lesson 4: Study Some Endurance 

I feel one of many greatest classes I realized all through this course of is the significance of downtime and patience. When issues don’t go in accordance 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 by means of the undertaking, 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 best way. Now, I’m capable of recognize the top consequence much more as a result of I understand how a lot effort went into making it good.

The Remaining Outcome

After months of labor (and a few occasional setbacks), my yard sauna is lastly full. Properly, apart from the ultimate roof, however that’s a narrative for one more day. It’s a comfortable, heat, and welcoming area 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 fingers.

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

Don’t Wish to Construct?

If my expertise deterred you from wanting to construct one (wouldn’t blame you for that), I’ve additionally tried loads of different varieties of saunas over time. 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!