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, loosen up, and benefit from the therapeutic advantages of warmth remedy. A minimum of, 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 gorgeous little oasis of heat and wellness in my yard.
Spoiler alert: I used to be flawed.
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 mates, 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 discovered the exhausting means. 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 discovered 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 mission within the first place.
When you’re something like me, you’ve in all probability learn in regards to the quite a few well being advantages of sauna use. The whole lot from enhancing circulation and relieving muscle stress to boosting your immune system and detoxifying your physique. I’ve stated many occasions 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 examine checked out the advantages of sauna 4-7 occasions per week, and for this to be even remotely sensible, a house sauna is absolutely 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 means, 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 on the subject of constructing a sauna. Even with one of the best intentions, issues don’t all the time go as easily as you hope. I believed I had the whole lot 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 mission could be a weekend mission—nothing too loopy, proper?
However right here’s the factor: it’s straightforward to miss all of the small particulars while you’re caught up within the pleasure. The complexity of the sauna building began to develop into clear fairly rapidly. There are such a lot of components to contemplate while 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 fitting insulation, all the trouble you place into constructing the construction received’t consequence within the cozy heat you’re after.
I additionally discovered that constructing a sauna is a bit like fixing a puzzle—it requires quite a lot of trial and error. Particularly while you’re working with totally different constructing supplies and determining the way to match the whole lot 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 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 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 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 purple gentle 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 identical supplies can be utilized to refinish/repurpose an present outbuilding. Simply ensure 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
Probably the most 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 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 components 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 device 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 atmosphere the place the warmth could be evenly distributed all through the room.
Conventional Finnish saunas usually use wood-burning stoves to generate warmth. Nonetheless, 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 correct 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 principle 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 info is evident that with the correct amount of warmth and time, sauna could be very helpful.
For that reason, I knew I had to verify the sauna might get to 170 levels at a minimal. I then added the infrared/purple 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 rapidly discovered that warmth alone will not be sufficient to forestall 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. 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 principal kinds 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. This can be a extra trendy answer and could be efficient in making certain the air stays recent and breathable.
- Handbook downdraft is the normal strategy, the place you depend on strategically positioned vents to permit recent air to movement into the sauna naturally. Many pre-made saunas both don’t have air flow or depend on this kind.
I selected the mechanical downdraft technique for my sauna as a result of I knew we’d wish to have longer sauna classes and have the ability to host larger teams. By putting in a vent above the heater and a fan beneath the bench, I used to be capable of permit for the proper movement of air and maintain the CO2 ranges in verify. 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 Regulation 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 resolution was pushed by a deep respect for the normal Finnish sauna expertise and a want 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 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 stability 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 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 person. I ensured that the higher bench could be positioned on the excellent top by choosing 8-foot partitions. This allowed my toes 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 principle motive 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 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 scorching 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 fitting 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 easy, 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 essential in conventional saunas the place guide downdraft air flow performs an important function in making certain recent, breathable air.
- Snug and Stress-free: 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 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 loosen up and really feel the total advantages of the warmth.
Lesson 4: Selecting the Proper Heater
Probably the most essential selections I made through the constructing course of was selecting the best heater. In spite of everything, that is the center of the sauna expertise. The fitting heater could make all of the distinction on the subject of warmth high quality, vitality effectivity, and general expertise.
I did quite a lot of analysis earlier than selecting a heater, and in the end, 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 vitality payments. It additionally heats up rapidly and evenly, offering a snug and constant temperature.
- Design: The modern, trendy 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 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 like.
- Dimension: The HUUM Hive is available in varied sizes, which was excellent for my sauna. I used to be ready to decide on the fitting dimension primarily based on the area I had out there and the extent of warmth I needed to realize.
The heater dimension 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 substitute 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 toes.
- As a common 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. All the time spherical as much as the closest out there heater dimension if crucial.
- You may also use a device like this one to calculate your heater dimension.
Lesson 4: Be taught Some Endurance
I believe one of many greatest classes I discovered all through this course of is the significance of downtime and persistence. When issues don’t go in keeping with plan, it’s straightforward to get pissed off. Nonetheless, 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 mission, however in the long run, I’m so glad I didn’t.
The method of constructing my sauna took longer than I anticipated, but it surely gave me the chance to make changes, enhance my design, and study alongside the way in which. 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 excellent.
The Last 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 comfy, heat, and welcoming area the place I can escape from the world and give attention to 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 arms.
When you’re contemplating constructing your individual sauna, I hope this put up has given you some useful insights and sensible suggestions. 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 quite a lot of different kinds of saunas over time. These have included varied 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 wish to strive or incorporate extra into your well being routine? Go away a remark and let me know!
