Constructing a sauna in your yard feels like a dream, doesn’t it? An ideal, cozy escape from the hustle and bustle of day by day life. Someplace you may unwind, loosen up, and benefit from the therapeutic advantages of warmth remedy. No less than, that’s what I assumed once I determined to tackle the venture of constructing my very own sauna.
I envisioned a fast weekend venture, a day of hammering away, and earlier than I knew it, I’d have an attractive little oasis of heat and wellness in my yard.
Spoiler alert: I used to be improper.
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 an entire 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 bought some nice occasions with associates, 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 exhausting means. From understanding the distinctive Finnish fashion of sauna constructing to selecting the right 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 soar into the step-by-step of constructing a sauna, let me let you know why I made a decision to tackle this venture within the first place.
Should you’re something like me, you’ve in all probability learn concerning the quite a few well being advantages of sauna use. The whole lot from bettering circulation and relieving muscle rigidity to boosting your immune system and detoxifying your physique. I’ve stated 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 examine checked out the advantages of sauna 4-7 occasions 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 appreciated 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 in relation to constructing a sauna. Even with the most effective intentions, issues don’t all the time go as easily as you hope. I assumed I had every part mapped out completely. I measured the area in my yard, researched supplies, and even watched a couple of YouTube movies on do it your self sauna constructing. A DIY sauna venture can be a weekend venture—nothing too loopy, proper?
However right here’s the factor: it’s simple to miss all of the small particulars while you’re caught up within the pleasure. The complexity of the sauna development began to grow to be clear fairly shortly. There are such a lot of components to think about while 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 proper insulation, all the hassle you place into constructing the construction gained’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 completely different constructing supplies and determining match every part 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 discovered that I’m not the most effective 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 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 crimson 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 Type of Sauna Constructing
One of the essential issues I found throughout this venture was the Finns fashion of sauna constructing. Finland is the birthplace of the sauna, and their conventional saunas are the gold customary for sauna fanatics worldwide. To really 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 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 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 can 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 nicely. 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 a couple 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 information is evident that with the correct quantity of warmth and time, sauna could be very useful.
Because of this, I knew I had to ensure the sauna may get to 170 levels at a minimal. I then added the infrared/crimson 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. In actual fact, I shortly discovered that warmth alone shouldn’t be 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 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 fashionable answer and could be efficient in guaranteeing the air stays recent and breathable.
- Guide downdraft is the standard method, the place you depend on strategically positioned vents to permit recent 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 be capable of host greater teams. By putting in a vent above the heater and a fan below the bench, I used to be in a position to permit 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 resolution was pushed by a deep respect for the standard Finnish sauna expertise and a need to honor the legislation of löyly—the guideline of sauna warmth distribution.
In Finland, the sauna is way more than only a room with a heater; it’s a ritual and a science. The Finnish idea of löyly refers back to the delicate, 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 legislation of löyly emphasizes the significance of warmth rising to the higher benches, guaranteeing that the individual sitting there enjoys the most effective of the sauna’s warmth.
In conventional Finnish saunas, the higher bench—the place individuals sometimes 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 should have sufficient peak to permit the warmth to rise naturally and envelop the person. I ensured that the higher bench can be positioned on the excellent peak by choosing 8-foot partitions. This allowed my ft 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 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 purpose I selected a taller sauna was to offer the warmth room to rise and unfold evenly. With the higher bench positioned increased than the heater and the person’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 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 steadiness. Taller partitions and correct bench positioning make sure you’re sitting in the proper 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 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 essential in conventional saunas the place handbook downdraft air flow performs a vital function in guaranteeing recent, breathable air.
- Comfy 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 suggests 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 may really loosen up and really feel the complete advantages of the warmth.
Lesson 4: Selecting the Proper Heater
One of the essential choices I made throughout the constructing course of was choosing the proper heater. In any case, that is the guts of the sauna expertise. The appropriate heater could make all of the distinction in relation to 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:
- 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 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 area.
- Efficiency: The HUUM Hive makes use of high-quality stones to generate warmth. This helps preserve a constant temperature and create that delicate, enveloping heat I like.
- Measurement: The HUUM Hive is available in numerous sizes, which was excellent for my sauna. I used to be in a position to decide on the proper measurement primarily based on the area I had accessible and the extent of warmth I needed to realize.
The heater measurement could 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 substitute 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 area. Primarily, divide the cubic footage by 50 to get the required heater measurement in kW. At all times spherical as much as the closest accessible heater measurement if crucial.
- You may also use a instrument like this one to calculate your heater measurement.
Lesson 4: Study 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 annoyed. 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 by means of the venture, 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 in a position to respect the tip consequence much more as a result of I understand how a lot effort went into making it excellent.
The Ultimate Consequence
After months of labor (and a few occasional setbacks), my yard sauna is lastly full. Effectively, aside from the ultimate roof, however that’s a narrative for an additional day. It’s a comfortable, heat, and alluring 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 discovered, the errors I made, and the enjoyment of constructing one thing with my very own fingers.
Should you’re contemplating constructing your personal sauna, I hope this publish 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 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 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 wish to strive or incorporate extra into your well being routine? Go away a remark and let me know!
