Constructing a sauna in your yard feels like a dream, doesn’t it? An ideal, cozy escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Someplace you possibly can unwind, chill out, and benefit from the therapeutic advantages of warmth remedy. No less than, that’s what I believed after 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 lovely 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, 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 price it, plus I acquired some nice occasions with associates, 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 discovered the laborious means. From understanding the distinctive Finnish model of sauna constructing to selecting the proper warmth supply (and sure, a LOT about air flow). So, seize a cup of tea, get snug, 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 bounce into the step-by-step of constructing a sauna, let me inform you why I made a decision to tackle this undertaking within the first place.
Should 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 part from bettering circulation and relieving muscle stress to boosting your immune system and detoxifying your physique. I’ve mentioned many occasions that if the sauna have been a tablet, 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 occasions per week, and for this to be even remotely sensible, a house sauna is basically useful. After all, there are sauna kits and pre-made saunas, and I hyperlink to all those I’ve tried and appreciated under. It’s really an embarrassingly great amount. However I like doing issues the powerful means, so DIY it was.
Lesson 1: Planning Is Key (And Even Then, It’s Nonetheless Onerous)
The primary lesson I discovered was that planning is essential relating to constructing a sauna. Even with the very best intentions, issues don’t at all times go as easily as you hope. I believed I had every part mapped out completely. I measured the area in my yard, researched supplies, and even watched just a few YouTube movies on do it your self sauna constructing. A DIY sauna undertaking could be a weekend undertaking—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 out to be clear fairly rapidly. There are such a lot of elements 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 best insulation, all the hassle you place into constructing the construction received’t outcome within the cozy heat you’re after.
I additionally discovered that constructing a sauna is a bit like fixing a puzzle—it requires lots of trial and error. Particularly whenever you’re working with completely different constructing supplies and determining match every part 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 ultimately. (Unrelated: I additionally discovered that I’m not the very 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 mild and close to infrared: (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 current 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 necessary issues I found throughout this undertaking 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 respect the artwork of sauna constructing, I knew I needed to perceive the rules behind it.
In a Finnish-style sauna, there are two important 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, enjoyable 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 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 could 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 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.
Relating to 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 supplies a “deeper warmth” or helps with detox. But the information is obvious that with the correct amount of warmth and time, sauna will be very helpful.
Because of this, I knew I had to ensure the sauna may 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 respect earlier than I began constructing my sauna: it’s not simply the warmth that makes a sauna efficient, it’s the air flow. The truth is, I rapidly discovered that warmth alone shouldn’t be 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. 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 sorts 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 resolution and will be efficient in guaranteeing 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 circulate 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 need to have longer sauna classes and have the ability to host larger teams. By putting in a vent above the heater and a fan underneath the bench, I used to be capable of enable for the proper circulate of air and maintain the CO2 ranges in verify. This setup not solely made the sauna extra snug 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 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 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 tender, 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 manner, the warmth circulates evenly all through the room. The regulation of löyly emphasizes the significance of warmth rising to the higher benches, guaranteeing that the particular person sitting there enjoys the very 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 popular air. To make this occur, the sauna will need to have sufficient peak to permit the warmth to rise naturally and envelop the consumer. I ensured that the higher bench could be positioned on the good peak 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 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 primary cause 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 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 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 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. 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 perfect trade of air. That is particularly necessary in conventional saunas the place guide downdraft air flow performs a vital position in guaranteeing contemporary, 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 snug and therapeutic sauna session. Right here you possibly can actually chill out and really feel the complete 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 spite of everything, that is the center of the sauna expertise. The fitting heater could make all of the distinction relating to warmth high quality, power effectivity, and general expertise.
I did lots of analysis earlier than deciding on 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 get pleasure from 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, 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 tender, enveloping heat I like.
- Measurement: The HUUM Hive is available in numerous sizes, which was good for my sauna. I used to be ready to decide on the best dimension primarily based on the area I had accessible and the extent of warmth I needed to realize.
The heater dimension could be very particular to the dimensions 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 after I needed to substitute the heater in my barrel sauna.
Right here’s calculate the dimensions of a sauna heater:
- Measure the amount 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. Primarily, 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 can too use a instrument like this one to calculate your heater dimension.
Lesson 4: Study Some Persistence
I feel 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 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 after I was tempted to hurry by means of the undertaking, 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 way in which. Now, I’m capable of respect the tip outcome much more as a result of I understand how a lot effort went into making it good.
The Closing Outcome
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 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.
Should you’re contemplating constructing your personal sauna, I hope this submit 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 lots of different sorts 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? Go away a remark and let me know!
