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 possibly can unwind, loosen up, and benefit from the therapeutic advantages of warmth remedy. At the least, 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 lovely 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 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 obtained some nice instances 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 arduous manner. From understanding the distinctive Finnish model 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 leap 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. Every thing from enhancing 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 admittedly useful. In fact, there are sauna kits and pre-made saunas, and I hyperlink to all those I’ve tried and preferred beneath. It’s truly an embarrassingly great amount. However I like doing issues the powerful manner, 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 with regards to constructing a sauna. Even with the perfect 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 just a few 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 straightforward to miss all of the small particulars if you’re caught up within the pleasure. The complexity of the sauna development began to change into clear fairly rapidly. There are such a lot of elements to contemplate if you construct it your self, from the muse to the insulation to the sauna door. One of many largest challenges I encountered was getting the sauna to be correctly insulated. Saunas are all about retaining warmth. With out the suitable insulation, all the hassle you set into constructing the construction gained’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 quite a lot of trial and error. Particularly if you’re working with completely different constructing supplies and determining methods to match all the things collectively. The method wasn’t quick, and it undoubtedly wasn’t straightforward, however the satisfaction of finishing one thing by handcrafted all of it price it ultimately. (Unrelated: I additionally discovered that I’m not the perfect 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 present outbuilding. Simply make certain 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 Model of Sauna Constructing
One of the vital issues I found throughout this mission was the Finns model of sauna constructing. Finland is the birthplace of the sauna, and their conventional saunas are the gold normal for sauna fans worldwide. To actually admire the artwork of sauna constructing, I knew I needed to perceive the rules behind it.
In a Finnish-style sauna, there are two important 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, enjoyable expertise. It’s additionally what makes the sauna such a strong instrument for selling well being and well-being. When constructing my sauna, I had to consider methods 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 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 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 just a few 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 obvious that with the correct quantity of warmth and time, sauna may 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/pink lights as a bonus.
Correct Air flow: The Lacking Piece in Many Saunas
Now, right here’s one thing I didn’t absolutely admire 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 rapidly discovered that warmth alone isn’t 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. 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 important 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 resolution and may be efficient in making certain the air stays recent and breathable.
- Handbook downdraft is the standard method, the place you depend on strategically positioned vents to permit recent air to stream into the sauna naturally. Many pre-made saunas both don’t have air flow or depend on this sort.
I selected the mechanical downdraft methodology 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 in a position to enable for the proper stream of air and preserve 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 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 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 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 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 stability between the temperature and the airflow. This manner, 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 the perfect of the sauna’s warmth.
In conventional Finnish saunas, the higher bench—the place folks sometimes 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 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 cause I selected a taller sauna was to offer 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 type, and the expertise is all about stability. Taller partitions and correct bench positioning make sure you’re sitting in the suitable 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 beneath.
- 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 change of air. That is particularly vital in conventional saunas the place guide downdraft air flow performs a vital function in making certain recent, 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 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 really loosen up and really feel the total advantages of the warmth.
Lesson 4: Selecting the Proper Heater
One of the essential choices I made through the constructing course of was selecting the best heater. In any case, that is the guts of the sauna expertise. The correct heater could make all of the distinction with regards to warmth high quality, power effectivity, and total expertise.
I did quite a lot 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 power payments. It additionally heats up rapidly and evenly, offering a cushty and constant temperature.
- Design: The modern, 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 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.
- Dimension: The HUUM Hive is available in numerous sizes, which was good for my sauna. I used to be ready to decide on the suitable dimension based mostly on the house I had out there 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 applicable 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 methods to calculate the scale of a sauna heater:
- Measure the quantity of your sauna room in cubic ft.
- As a common 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 dimension in kW. All the time spherical as much as the closest out there heater dimension if obligatory.
- You can too use a instrument like this one to calculate your heater dimension.
Lesson 4: Study Some Endurance
I feel one of many largest classes I discovered 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 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 way of the mission, however ultimately, I’m so glad I didn’t.
The method of constructing my sauna took longer than I anticipated, however it gave me the chance to make changes, enhance my design, and be taught alongside the best way. Now, I’m in a position to admire the top end result much more as a result of I understand how a lot effort went into making it good.
The Remaining End result
After months of labor (and a few occasional setbacks), my yard sauna is lastly full. Nicely, aside 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 arms.
When you’re contemplating constructing your personal 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 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 quite a lot of different forms of saunas through the years. These have included numerous sizes of moveable, pre-made, indoor saunas, and build-from-kit saunas. A few of these embody wooden burning saunas, whereas others are moveable, private saunas (like a blanket).
These are those I’ve tried and would advocate:
Do you utilize a sauna? Is that this one thing you’d wish to strive or incorporate extra into your well being routine? Depart a remark and let me know!